Hamilton girls make it into cheerleeding group The Rockettes.

Jul 15 2010 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

THREE Hamilton girls are to join the Scottish Rockettes cheerleading group.

Allana Paterson, Carol McLaren and Adele Scott will join the ‘rah rah’ squad providing touchline support for the Scottish Rocks basketball team.

The trio came through a series of gruelling and competitive auditions held in May.

They are now in training for cheerleading duties and a host of other events.

At 24, Allana is considered a Rockettes ‘veteran’, having been part of the squad for the last five years, but she still had to audition to keep her place in the group.

She said: “There are two weeks of auditions, dance routines and presenting yourself. It’s a tough time and a nervous wait for returning cheerleaders who were in the dance troupe the previous year. There are no guaranteed places.

“We had to perform in front of the panel of celebrity judges in groups of three.

“With the hard part over, we were all called in one by one to give a short interview.”

Carol McLaren (19) has been involved in dancing since she was three.

Since the age of 13 she has attended competitions throughout the UK and has won many Scottish, British and European titles, both in solo and team events.

She is now in her third year at dance college, where she hopes to graduate and further her performing career.

Carol also successfully auditioned for the troupe.

She said: “The tryouts were tough. We were put through a fitness and technique test.

“We had to split into groups and learn a routine, which made me nervous, and the more I tried to get it right the more mistakes I made.

“However, I calmed down, went in and gave it my all. Luckily I managed to pull it off.

“I couldn’t have asked to be in a nicer team. All the returning vets made all the new rookies feel really welcome to the team and I can’t wait to see what’s in store in the season ahead.”

Adele Scott (22), from Hamilton, has been a dancer since the age of five but was shy when she was younger, so the day of the tryouts made her very apprehensive about going forward with cheerleading.

Adele said: “I was overwhelmed when I saw the girls. They looked fantastic and their dance and technique ability was of a very high standard.

“It would have made anyone’s confidence crash, although it made me more determined to succeed.

“On the day of the finals I was so excited and couldn’t wait to strut my stuff.

“Waiting for my turn to audition felt like a lifetime.

“I waited to hear my fate in front of 250 spectators.

“I loved the two fantastic weeks working with the group and was worried I wouldn’t make the team.

“So when my name was called out I was overwhelmed with emotion.”

Allana added: “For those who didn’t make it this year, don’t let it stop you from coming back and giving it another go next year.”

To see the auditions visit www.scottishrockettes.co.uk