At just 22 years old, Ward, also known as Flexi Faith, resides in Perth and was announced as one of the six rookies joining the 36-member squad for the upcoming NFL season. The audition process for the DCC is highly competitive, with thousands of hopefuls vying for only a handful of spots available for new faces like Ward.
Ward’s journey to becoming a DCC member involved submitting dance videos, photos, and mastering specific choreography before being flown to Texas for further trials. Despite the intense competition, Ward remained optimistic, stating, “No matter the outcome, it’ll be amazing to be part of the experience, and making it this far is already just incredible.”
After successfully making it through the rigorous selection process, Ward excitedly shared the news on her rapidly growing social media platforms, posting emotional videos revealing her new uniform and expressing her joy at landing her dream job.
Born with double-jointed hips, Ward relocated to Australia at the age of 10 and began her professional dance career at 18, performing on cruise ships. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, known for their iconic white-hot pants, cowboy boots, and dazzling blue crop tops, have been entertaining fans at Cowboys’ games since 1961.
The Netflix docuseries “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” shed light on the intense physical demands and challenges faced by the cheerleaders, showcasing their resilience, dedication, and impressive skills. Ward’s journey will be featured in the upcoming third season of the series.
As the cheerleaders gear up for the NFL season, with training camp underway and the first home pre-season game scheduled for August 17, Ward joins a select group of Australian alumni of the DCC. While she is the first New Zealander to join the squad, Angela Nicotera Brown and Jinelle Esther are among the distinguished Australian members.
With the upcoming NFL season fast approaching, fans can look forward to seeing Ward and the rest of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in action as they take the field in Arlington, Texas on September 15.
