Nurse, student, police officer: behind the scenes of Cowboys cheerleaders lives
You’ve seen them on the field but off the field they’re nurses, police officers, teachers and accountants.
Townsville
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When they aren’t mesmerising a roaring crowd of Cowboys fans with their spectacular dance moves, the North Queensland cheerleaders are busy working the hospital wards, educating the next generation or studying hard chasing their dreams.
One of the most well-known faces in the squad is Emily Puglisi who is going on her sixth year in the sparkle-clad North Queensland colours and was lucky enough to be named as the 2024 squad captain.
“I’ve always wanted to be a Cowboys cheerleader ever since I was little,” she said.
“My parents had home game memberships so I’d always go to the games when I was younger and think ‘I want to do that’.”
When she isn’t leading the team through routines, you’ll find her at her full-time job as a nurse in the infectious disease ward at Townsville University Hospital.
“I did a year of bio medicine when I first started uni because I liked the research aspect of it but I quickly realised that I like the patient interaction and first-hand care,” Puglisi said.
“The day to day is very different. There is no real routine; it depends on the patients and what shift you’re on. Some days could be very full on and other days could be less full on and that’s the exciting thing because no two days are the same.”
While she isn’t very recognisable in her hospital PPE, people are often very shocked to learn about her other role.
“Some people think (cheerleading) is our full time job but then they are surprised that all of our girls have full time jobs or are studying full time at uni, it’s very impressive,” Ms Puglisi said.
Another familiar face who has been part of the squad for three years is Caitlin Clowes.
When she isn’t shaking her pompoms she is studying a Bachelor of Science in Physics and mathematics to reach her dream of becoming a meteorologist.
“I just loved physics in high school,” she said. “I started at uni going into education majoring in science and I just really enjoyed my science subjects so I decided to switch into that instead.”
“I did a meteorology subject last year and I really enjoyed it and I always knew I wanted to do something on the environmental side of it but never really knew exactly what until I did that subject.”
Ms Clowes spends nearly every day studying at James Cook University getting there early in the morning and leaving after dark before heading off to cheerleading training or her part-time jobs at Cafe Bambini or behind the bar at Lux Noir.
“It’s pretty tricky balancing it all,” she said. “I’m glad that both of my jobs are very understanding about cheerleading and uni which is really nice and I do have a good group of friends at uni that are very helpful.”
One of the newest additions to the cheerleading team is 20-year-old Dallis McLean, a Mackay local who now calls Townsville home while she follows her dream of becoming a police officer.
“I’ve always been interested in policing since I was a little kid, probably mostly from different TV shows and I have a few family members that are police officers down in Victoria so I think just those sort of things from when I was a kid is what made me interested in it,” she said.
While she undergoes the application process for the police academy she is continuing her studies at James Cook University completing a Bachelor of Marine Science.
“I always had the mindset that you have to graduate from school and go to uni but after trying a few different things I’ve realised that’s not really the pathway for me,” Ms McLean said.
The go-getter balances her studies and goals while cheerleading and working casually at The Ville Resort-Casino as a lifeguard.
“I’ve been a lifeguard since I was 16. That’s sort of been my main after-school and weekend job and then when I moved here I waited for a little while and got settled in and then I got the job at The Ville,” she said.
“I love it. It’s a really good place to work.”
Meet some of the other faces behind the pompoms and enthusiasm:
ABBY
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Three
Occupation/studying: Bachelor of Primary Education
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
All-time favourite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Lantern light festival
A random fact about yourself: I have danced for 18 years
ALEXANDRA
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Four
Occupation/studying: Pharmacist
Favourite holiday destination: Sydney
All-time favourite TV show: Friends
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Carnevale di Venezia
A random fact about yourself: I am a black belt in taekwondo
ANNELISE
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Third
Occupation/studying: Teacher aide and studying education
Favourite holiday destination: Europe
All-time favourite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Eras Tour (again)
A random fact about yourself: I have danced since I was three years old
ASHAH
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Six
Occupation/studying: Accountant
Favourite holiday destination: Japan
All-time favourite TV show: Vampire Diaries
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Tomorrowland
A random fact about yourself: I’m left handed
BETHANNY
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Six
Occupation/studying: Bachelor of Primary Education
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
All-time favourite TV show: The Rookie
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Tomorrowland
BROOKE T
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Two
Occupation/studying: Studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (honours)
Favourite holiday destination: New York
All-time favourite TV show: One Tree Hill
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Lantern Festival
A random fact about yourself: I’m obsessed with dachshunds
BROOKE Z
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Two
Occupation/studying: Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Favourite holiday destination: Greece
All-time favourite TV show: Love Island
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Morgan Wallen concert
A random fact about yourself: I have been dancing since the age of four
CHLOE
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: First
Occupation/studying: Psychological science / criminology
Favourite holiday destination: Japan
All-time favourite TV show: Suits
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Northern lights
A random fact about yourself: I have a bear tattoo on my ankle. My parents used to call me bear when I was little
DESTINY
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Two
Occupation/studying: Bachelor of Secondary Education
Favourite holiday destination: Paris
All-time favourite TV show: Modern Family
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Coachella
A random fact about yourself: Most of my Year 7 students are taller than me
JACINTA
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: First
Occupation/studying: Studying speech pathology
Favourite holiday destination: Melbourne
All-time favourite TV show: Brooklyn 99
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Adele
A random fact about yourself: Ice cream is my favourite food
JOLIE
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Two
Occupation/studying: Physiotherapist
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
All-time favourite TV show: Selling sunset
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Luke Combs concert
JORDAN
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Three
Occupation/studying: Performing arts
Favourite holiday destination: USA
All-time favourite TV show: Friends & Seal
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Coachella
A random fact about yourself: I compete for Australia in figure skating
JULIA
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: First
Occupation/studying: Studying dance teaching & management
Favourite holiday destination: New Zealand
All-time favourite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Olympics
A random fact about yourself: I have choreographed three musicals
KRISTIN
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Two
Occupation/studying: Administration
Favourite holiday destination: Anywhere in nature
All-time favourite TV show: One Tree Hill
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: My favourite band/musician live
A random fact about yourself: I will literally talk about anything and everything, especially if it involves dogs
MONIQUE
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Third
Occupation/studying: Lifeguard at Kirwan Aquatic Centre
Favourite holiday destination: Maldives
All-time favourite TV show: Euphoria
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Coachella
A random fact about yourself: I have a longhaired miniature dachshund named Limo
PARIS
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Five
Occupation/studying: High schoolteacher
Favourite holiday destination: Vanuatu
All-time favourite TV show: Euphoria
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: The Superbowl
A random fact about yourself: My favourite food is cheese
SAM
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: Six
Occupation/studying: Secondary teachers
Favourite holiday destination: Hawaii
All-time favourite TV show: Modern Family
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: Going back to Disney World!
A random fact about yourself: I was born the year the Cowboys were founded
SAMI
Number of seasons with the Cowboys: First
Occupation/studying: Beauty therapist
Favourite holiday destination: Anywhere with a beach
All-time favourite TV show: Gossip girl
If you could attend any event in the world, what would it be: A masquerade ball
A random fact about yourself: My favourite artist is Bruno Mars
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