In 2013 and 2014, I had the amazing opportunity to dance on the field with the Outriders as a part of the Junior Outriders program. This allowed me to perform a routine on the field with the squad and share the sidelines with them for an entire quarter and then enjoying the rest of the game from the stands. Getting to see what game day is all about made me excited to one day try out for the team and gave me an inside look at what it meant to be an Outrider.

I couldn’t contain my excitement at the practices leading up to game day! It was so surreal to be able to practice with the Outriders on the field at McMahon Stadium. With the bright lights shining down on us, I couldn’t keep a smile off my face. The girls were so welcoming, taking us all under their wing and showing us how to be an Outrider. They coached us through the steps of the routines and the cheers we would be doing on the sidelines. After a few long but really fun practices, we had finally gotten the hang of things.

Barely sleeping the night before, it was finally game day! I was so nervous waiting to perform on the field with the Outriders and the other Junior Outriders but stepping onto the field made the nerves disappear. My favourite part of the day was performing the dance we prepared on the field in front of thousands of fans! From that very first Junior Outrider game, I knew I was going to try out for the team one day.

Fast forward two years and I was waking up on the morning of my very first official Outrider audition. I was so nervous, yet so much more excited. I spent the morning trying to mentally prepare myself for what the day was going to bring. I couldn’t believe it when my number was called, meaning I had made the first cut. A few weeks later, after the interviews and training camps, I found myself dancing alongside the amazing girls who I once looked up to as a Junior Outrider.

Now as a second year veteran, I’m so happy I got the opportunity to participate in the Junior Outriders program. It gave me a taste of what it meant to be on one of the most prestigious CFL cheer teams. I am now extremely proud to call myself an Outrider and the Junior Outrider program helped prepare me for this moment. Looking back on my time with the Junior Outriders program is a great reminder of how much I’ve grown as a dancer and as an Outrider and also how grateful I am to have had such an amazing opportunity when I was younger.

I am excited to meet this year’s Junior Outriders and to not only share the field with them, but share one of my favorite experiences with them.

Raynie

The Little Miss Outriders, presented by Jayman BUILT, will take to the field this Sunday when the Stamps host the Ticats.