Natalie Tries: Dancing with the Brooklynettes

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When the cleverly named Brooklynettes bounced into the Pineapple dance studio I felt more than a little bit intimidated. They were wearing matching black hot-pants, matching skimpy tops, blinged-up high-tops and full make-up including false eyelashes. ‘This is a dance class right?’ I asked one of the producers.

The Brooklynettes are the official dancers for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and it soon became clear that these girls are not cheerleaders. Looking at their perfectly curled hair, glittering lashes and perfect smiles, I expected a light dance class, with minimal movement so as not to disturb the hairspray. But when the music started and the girls exploded into life with an intense routine combining a range of dance styles, my preconceptions were shattered.

‘Your turn!’ They chorused.

Being a Brooklynette

Their schedule is intense. They perform at all home games, three-hour practices twice a week, publicity and charity events, international trips during the off-season, and teaching clumsy sports journalists their routines… apparently.

It’s a serious business. All the girls have their own jobs or studies to maintain alongside their Brooklynettes commitments. Megan Roup, who joined the group this year described a typical day for her:

‘So I might get up at 5am, teach a Tracey Anderson Method Class in Tribecca, followed by a series of fit modelling appointments before practice in the evening.’

This is full-on stuff. And you can’t just pick up a pair of pom-poms and get involved. All of the girls are professional dancers with impressive dancing credits and CVs as long as their hair.

Not only are these girls incredibly fit, but they exude confidence. Performing complex routines live in front of huge audiences every night is no mean feat and would shake the nerves of even the most seasoned performers; but their smiles never slip, and they bring enough attitude to the performances to make them unforgettable. The crowds may have paid to come and watch the men play basketball, but they’ll certainly leave with the memory of these women.

My turn…

It’s more than a little disconcerting to learn a dance routine in front of eight professional dancers, six PR people and a guy with a video camera capturing every stumble. It didn’t help that I was at least a foot taller than all of the dancers – I couldn’t help but think that my height might be a disadvantage!

But as soon as the music started I forgot about the other people in the room and threw myself into it. There were too many steps for me to even remember about the video camera. I was concentrating so hard and I have no idea how the dancers are able to do it all with that immovable smile. I was frowning with concentration the entire time.

I loved it. It took me back to sleepovers of my childhood where we’d stay up all night copying music videos and making up our own routines. There aren’t many activities that allow you this much fun whilst still giving you a workout. It was absolutely exhausting and worked my coordination and concentration as well as my muscles. And the sense of accomplishment is enormous. When the music cut and I finished the last move in step with everyone else, I was delighted – I’d nailed it! I may have done it with less attitude, less finesse and certainly less of a smile, but I got to the end of the routine and remembered it all. You don’t get that feeling when you step off the treadmill.

The Brooklynettes were in the Covent Garden dance studio ahead of NBA Global Games London 2014 where the Atlanta Hawks will host the Brooklyn Nets at The O2 in London on January 16, 2014.

For more information visit facebook.com/NBAUK or follow @NBAUK

Natalie Morris
Sportsister, The Women’s Sport Magazine

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