The daughter of National Rugby League (NRL) great Mark Carroll, Indianna, has fulfilled her dream of making an NFL cheer squad, selected to join the Las Vegas Raiderettes for the 2026-27 season.
Carroll, who has cheered for the Manly Sea Eagles’ Seabirds for 10 years, announced that she had been selected on Tuesday, in an Instagram story that simply stated: “Honey I’m home” with a picture of the Raiderettes squad.
It comes after Carroll fell agonizingly short of making the iconic Dallas Cowboys cheer squad last year.
And her father, NRL legend Mark, was beaming with pride as he congratulated his daughter in a heartfelt post.
“I couldn’t be prouder writing this about my beautiful daughter, Indianna. As a young child, her dream was always to cheer for an NFL side and I’m here to announce she has made the squad for the NFL Raiders,” Carroll wrote on Instagram.
“Looking back in years the adversity she has had to get through blows my mind.
“As a young girl to be crippled with the most horrible disease, endometriosis. And now to be on the big stage of America NFL played on TV to millions and millions of people each game. Look out team. My Girl Indianna is about to blow you away Australian Style.
“Also a massive shout out to my beautiful wife Monique who has taught Indianna and has been by her side with the ups and downs in life. Today is a massive highlight for her. What a mother. Proud.” ️
While fellow Manly Seabirds dancer and close friend Rochelle Salatino wrote: “She did it. No one deserves this more than you. Go live your longest, wildest dream”.
Carroll’s selection means she is just the fourth Australian to be selected for an NFL cheer squad.
Perth dancer Faith Ward became the first Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (DCC) last year, while Jinelle Esther and Angela Nicotera have also made NFL cheer squads after moving to the US from Australia.
The NFL preseason begins on Aug. 6, before the regular season kicks off on Sept. 9.
The NFL will announce the dates of each game in mid-May.
