Former CFL cheerleaders reuniting for Grey Cup Festival

Dozens of former CFL cheerleaders are dusting off their pom poms for the Grey Cup Festival in Winnipeg.

The sound of ruffling pom poms filled a Winnipeg gymnastics centre Tuesday night. Inside, a dozen former Winnipeg Blue Bombers cheerleaders from decades past.

“I thought it would be a great way to meet people and get together with other alumni from across the country,” said Peggy Glassco, a former Winnipeg Blue Bombers cheerleader and choreographer.

The Canadian Football Cheerleaders Alumni Organization (CFCAO) is expecting 70 of their 500 members to arrive in Winnipeg by Thursday to perform at the CFL’s 2025 Grey Cup at Princess Auto Stadium.

Performers range in age from their late 30s to late 80s.

The gathering gave the alumni a chance to reunite and reflect on how cheering has evolved.

“Everything’s changed. They do a lot more stunting now,” Glassco said.

“The dancing style has definitely changed a lot,” agreed Lauri Rudolph-Crawford, who cheered and coached with the Blue Bombers from the mid-‘80s to the early ‘90s.

“It’s a lot faster and there’s much more gymnastics and stunts.”

Cheerleaders will make appearances throughout the week of Grey Cup festivities, including at a pancake breakfast and the Santa Claus Parade. About 30 of the alumni cheerleaders performing will be Winnipeggers.

“We’re definitely going to put on a good show. The performance that we’re doing is modeled after the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and it’s to “Thunderstruck,” said Rudolph-Crawford.

“It’s quite dynamic. It’s very energetic, and there’s something age appropriate for all the decades of alumni participating.”

A full list of their appearances can be found on CFCAO’s website.