'I brought everything I had': Aussie NRL cheerleader narrowly misses out on the sport's most coveted role

An Aussie NRL cheerleader has come close to realising her dream, only to narrowly miss out on the prestigious role.

Indianna Carroll is the daughter of Manly NRL legend, Mark 'Spud' Carroll, and is now a cheerleader for the Manly Seabirds.

Carroll, 26, was one of 80 finalists from around the world invited to compete for a spot with the NFL Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, arguably the most coveted position within the sport.

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This is the second year the young Aussie has been invited to Dallas, Texas as a finalist to audition for the team.

After receiving news she didn't make the team, Carroll issued a statement sharing her disappointment.

"This past weekend, I had the incredible honour of standing among 80 phenomenal dancers on finals day for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders – a dream I've held close to my heart for as long as I can remember," she told The Daily Telegraph.

"Coming from Australia, my journey looked different. I didn't grow up in the same systems or with the same access, and I don't have a large social media following or a history in the American dance scene.

"I brought everything I had – my heart, my training and my deep love for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader's legacy," she continued.

"I danced with every ounce of passion I had, knowing I was representing not only myself, but also the community back home who dared to dream with me."

The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders are a longstanding American institution, recently becoming the subject of hit Netflix documentary America's Sweethearts.

Carroll said despite falling short of being invited to training camp, she is still "incredibly proud" of her efforts.

"I left everything I had on that field. I carried a little piece of Sydney with me to Dallas, Texas, and showed up wholeheartedly as myself," she said.

"To be in that room, to be considered among the top 80 across the world, and to have represented where I'm from on such a world-class stage, that's something I will carry with pride forever."

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With over 4000 applicants and only 10 open spots up for grabs, Carroll making it to the final 80 women invited to audition in person is quite the achievement.

She shared that the "journey" had taught her to embrace a more vulnerable side of herself and "be proud of [herself] regardless of the outcome".

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who believed in me and supported me throughout this journey," she said.

"I'm not sure what next now, but I'm excited to find out."

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