Kiwi league star Benji Marshall, who inspired his Wests Tigers to a NRL victory yesterday, has played an unwitting part in the sacking of three cheerleaders.
Sydney's Sunday Telegraph reported three Tigers cheerleaders were sacked after attending Kiwis star Marshall's 21st birthday party in Sydney last month.
Rules stipulate that
cheerleaders are not to fraternise with players.
Two of the sacked women -- Lisa Cunningham, 23, and Rebecca Weers, 21 -- are among the longest serving dancers of the cheersquad known as the Kittens.
It was unclear if they received an official invitation to Marshall's party.
Sydney Promotional Dancers co-ordinator Lisa Ince, who oversees the Kittens, confirmed she asked the women to leave on Tuesday.
"I was unfortunately left with no option," Ince told the Sunday Telegraph.
"It got back to me via a number of sources that the girls attended Benji Marshall's birthday party.
"It's part of the contract the girls sign before joining up. They're not to fraternise at all with players."
Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce went to the party last month along with a number of club officials and players.
He said he was unaware at the time the cheerleaders were present.
"It really has nothing to do with the football club as we contract the dancing out," Noyce said.
"Lisa is in charge and has certain guidelines which must be followed and, in this instance, there has obviously been a breach."
It is not the first time NRL cheerleaders have been sacked for fraternising with players.
Sonia Warner and Tenille Stephenson were given their marching orders from Melbourne Storm in 1999 after it was found they were in steady relationships with first graders Ben Roarty and Aaron Moule.
There was no suggestion that any of the Tigers cheerleaders were involved in relationships with players.
Meanwhile it was back to business for Marshall yesterday in his comeback match as he led the Tigers to a 30-28 win over Melbourne.
Returning a month ahead of schedule from a cheekbone fracture sustained in round one against St George Illawarra, Marshall ignited a backline which had struggled in his absence.
- NZPA
