As the Chiefs prepare for their first Super Rugby home game of the season, three Tauranga girls are getting ready too – only their practice includes high kicks, somersaults and shaking of pom-poms.

Hannah Meredith, Libby Fisher, both 18, and Leah Parkinson, 19, are part of the 18-strong cheerleading squad that will make their debut performance when the Chiefs take on the Highlanders on March 1 at Waikato Stadium.

Tauranga girls Hannah Meredith, 18, and Leah Parkinson, 19, are ready for the Chiefs first Super Rugby home game of the season on Saturday. Photo: Tracy Hardy

The girls are three of six new faces to this year's squad – who call themselves The Bank Cheerleaders, which have been practising new pre-game and half-time routines for about three weeks.

'[We're] all prepared with an awesome dance routine polished and set to go – bring it on I say,” says Leah.

'Training has been good and getting to know all the girls, as well as working on a routine to perform at the home game, is great fun.”

Former dancers at Mount Maunganui Dance Academy, the girls are used to performing in front of a big audience – but not a crowd of more than 7500 people, which is expected at Saturday's game.

'I've performed in front of crowds before but never anything this big,” says Hannah.

'In saying that, I am also extremely excited. I love performing and am excited to take on this new challenge.”

Practices have been intense, says Hannah, who believes that is how it has to be if they want to perform well on game day.

'I am feeling well prepared for the game, the choreographers do a really good job of making sure we are all up to scratch with the routines and that we aren't unsure of anything.

'It's really great for fitness as well so I enjoy the intensity of the practices.”

While Libby will be cheering form the side-line for the first game, she has time to settle the nerves before the girls take to the field again in March.

'I get to watch the first game, so I think it will be good to pump myself up and see how it's all done before I have to perform.”

Libby attended her first training earlier this week and says initial nerves have turned into excitement.

'I was feeling nervous going to my first training because I thought everyone already knew each other, but everyone was really welcoming and friendly so now I'm excited to get amongst it all.”

The squad includes Chane Botha, Jade Carey, Nardine Drent, Abby Dutton, Hannah Farrant, Libby Fisher, Kirsty Kraakman, Quin Leong, Casey McAskie, Nikki McAskie, Hannah Meredith, Courtney Newdick, Leah Parkinson, Chloe Paterson, Estelle Poole, Karina Robinson, Jennifer Robinson and Natalie Sangster.