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NLL GIRL OF THE WEEK - BROOKELYN

Toronto Rock Dance Team member is also an administrative assistant

03/23/2009

Brookelyn, 24, has been dancing for more than half her life and has studied all forms of dance including Jazz, Acro, Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical and Modern. This is her second non-consecutive season of dancing for the Toronto Rock, but she is thrilled to be back at it and often wonders why she ever left. Brooke, as she is known to her friends, first danced for the Toronto Rock three years ago, but she took some time of to explore other options. Her desire to dance in front of the highly energized Rock fans, and the amazing group of girls that make up the team, is what brought her back this season and Brooke couldn't be happier.

During the day, Brooke works as an administrative assistant for the City of Brampton, ON. Taking centre field at the Air Canada Centre wearing a two piece spandex outfit is a far cry from the business-attire, computer-input job she works by day, but for Brooke it is a huge outlet.

"I think that the best part of the NLL is that all of the players and all of the dancers work full-time jobs, juggle university educations and the list goes on," says Toronto Rock Dance Team coordinator Tiffany Richardson. "The guys on the field aren't making thousands of dollars, they simply play because they love it and that is just like my girls. Most of them work full-time careers, but once a week they get to come out and dance and leave their worries behind. Like the players they do it because they love it and Brooke is no exception."

There are too many memories as a Rock dancer to limit to one, but the road trip to Buffalo in the '06 season was definitely a highlight for Brooke. She remembers sitting in the stands proudly wearing her Rock jersey and shaking her pom-poms to cheer on her favourite Rock player, Jim Veltman (who has since retired), and she fondly remembers the feeling of chanting in the arena as the Rock went on to defeat the Bandits!

"It has been a long time since we took Buffalo down," Brooke sighs, "but what a great feeling that was to beat them on their home turf."

For a home game, Brooke's routine includes the usual wake up and get ready, but on her way to the ACC she likes to turn up the tunes and get pumped up! There are only a few home games left for the Rock this season, but Brooke will definitely be seen and heard cheering on her boys.