Sport
15 February, 2026
Here’s cheers to Kiera at Taipans
PORT Douglas dancer/cheerleader Kiera Poole is now coming to the pointy end of her second year as a cheerleader for the Cairns Taipans mini squad.
Kiera has been a dancer since she’s been little, but in recent times has taken a big leap in her field being selected as a Taipans mini cheerleader.
At just 11 years of age, she is making her mark in the cheerleading world. Both seasons she had to try out against 150 other young hopefuls to be picked in the final cheer squad, where she was selected.
With this selection comes massive amounts of commitment, with Kiera making the trip down to Cairns weekly, training multiple hours with the rest of her team and then having additional training for any Taipans home game on the season, which in some cases can lead to over three hours of training per day.
Keira says she can’t get enough of it, despite the huge hours.
“Yes, I would like to be part of the Taipans senior cheerleaders and then maybe move onto the NBA one day too,” she said.
While being able to perform in front of thousands of people at every Taipans home game, that is still not Kiera’s favourite part of her cheerleading seasons.
“My favourite part is making new friendships, building my confidence, getting to perform in front of the players and supporters,” she said.
“I’m proud to represent and be part of two dance schools, Dance 2xs in Cairns and Bodies In Motion Mossman/Port Douglas.”
The Taipans season wraps up in March after unfortunately missing finals, but Kiera plans to do it all over again next NBL season as she chases her dream of making it to the NBA.
