It was time once more to don our dancing gear for the final competition of this year, for most of our team. It was the NATD area qualifier for Blackpool next July and the opportunity to secure a spot to dance at the famous Wintergardens.
There were only individual ballroom and Latin events on today’s programme and most of the team were in action. In the juvenile section there was Scarlett, Olivia and Alisha-Rose. Scarlett and Olivia both made their ballroom final, both finishing 4th. Olivia also made her Latin final finishing 5th
In the junior events there was Brooke, Tabatha, Megan and Sophie dancing. Megan and Sophie danced in the same events and were placed 4th and 7th in their ballroom and 2nd and 6th in their Latin respectively. Meanwhile Tabatha was placed 2nd and 3rd and Brooke finished 3rd and 7th in the same event.
In the winners enclosure in the adult sections there was Paige, Craig, Charlotte, Chris, Paul, Karen, Kathryn, Lisa, Stephen, Allison, Andrew and Hazel. Some of these were hard fought wins whilst others were earned by solo performances.
As this was the first qualifying competition for next year, some dancers had moved up age or grade categories and some were performing new routines for the first time in a competition. Whatever, personal targets each dancer had for the day, everyone danced well and those who started the year as ‘newbies’ in competing at this level, are now developing their competitive edge and delivering better under the pressure of competition. Above all though it was about the opportunity to qualify for Blackpool next year which everyone did, so mission accomplished!
Thanks once again to those who partnered, Ruth and Craig, as always your help is appreciated and of course the support from the everyone else is second to none.
Boris was in attendance as always together with his chums all keen to give their support to the team. They were so excited to have a table, which they only normally get at Daventry, so they could spread out without being worried all day about falling through the back of the chairs! He remarked on the improvements he has witnessed in many of our dancers over the year and looks forward with great enthusiasm to next year. His final official engagement will be the NATD exams in two weeks before the Christmas party season gets into full swing.
Next year’s diary dates are out (although there are still a few dates to be confirmed) so make sure you have your copy.
Well, here we go again! It’s Blackpool season and this time it was for the ISTD Grand Finals. Boris was excited to meet up with all his chums again but was disappointed that Arabella hadn’t made it again, although he did make a new friend, the Christmas Sheep!!
The alarm sounded at 5.45am and we were off. Our youngest team members were first to take up the challenge, both dancing for the first time. They were dancing in the under 8 years primary section so it was always going to be a challenge but both coped really well, looked beautiful and danced their very best. Rosie did very well to earn a recall with her waltz and Cha Cha Cha but sadly Alisha didn’t make it this time however they both gained invaluable experience which will serve them well next time.
The juniors were pleased to get a lie in and didn’t start until the afternoon. We had the fabulous four of Chloe, Brooke, Tabatha and Kaitlyn, all seasoned competitors at these events although some moving grades this year so it would be a little harder this still time, if that were possible! The afternoon began with ballroom followed by the sequence and then Latin and with couples as well, our dancers were kept busy. The standard seems to get higher each year but all of our dancers got at least one recall in some of their events in both individual or couples events. The sequence three dance section proved to be our most successful event with all four dancers making it to the final. Brooke was runner up with Chloe, Kaitlyn and Tabatha taking 4th, 6th and 7th respectively. A great result for all concerned. We should also mention and thank Emily and Craig, as they came in especially to help partner some of our friends from Barbados who were competing in the junior sequence events.
As if we hadn’t had enough action, the evening dance followed the end of the competitions and this year was a Barbie themed party for anyone with any energy left. It gave everyone a chance to let their hair down and have a social dance before it was off to bed to prepare for the following day.
Another early start and we were once again in the ballroom and ready to start by 8.30am. It was the turn of the adults today and the Sequence events began proceedings. Everyone was in action, some with additional partnering responsibilities as well.
In the Sequence events we had Fearn, Alison T and Kathryn competing for the first time, in fact it was their first time to this event, so it was always going to be a challenge which they handled very well. Everyone else secured at least one recall with Allison reaching her semi final. Making their finals in this section, were Josh, Craig, Grace and Emily (2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively) and Andrew who won his event (regaining his crown) closely followed by Lisa (2nd) Carla (3rd), Serena (4th) and Neil (6th). Chris won the over 35 years section and Rosalind won the over 65 years section with Hazel 5th in the same event. A good start to the day and some excellent results.
It was then straight on with the ballroom events and there were some tough events with many good dancers all looking for the same thing. Again, most people had at least one recall with Lisa, Craig, Rosalind, Grace, Hazel and Josh all making their finals. Rosalind won her event with Lisa and Josh runners up, Craig 4th, Grace 5th and Hazel 7th in their events.
The Latin followed and in this Kathryn, Charlotte, Emily, Grace, Serena, Allison, Carla and Andrew all made their semi finals with Lisa and Rosalind going on to make their finals finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively.
Finally we made it to the adult couples some 36 hours after we began. Couples is always a time where the dancers seem to relax and enjoy themselves and today was no exception. In action were Josh & Grace, Charlotte & Emily, Karly & Paige, Chris & Lisa, Andrew & Dawn and Hazel & Kathryn. Karly & Paige and Hazel & Kathryn were delighted to get a recall in their Latin events whilst Andrew & Dawn were placed 3rd and 5th in their events and Chris & Lisa came 4th and 3rd in their events. Josh & Grace ended the weekend with a win in their ballroom event and backed it up with a 3rd in the Latin. A great way to round off a good weekend for the team.
The bears spent all day on the edge of their seat, literally as well as metaphorically but said they enjoyed the day immensely. MacKenzie brought along a new friend Morag. Whilst a little nervous at first she soon got into the swing of things. They do enjoy meeting up on these occasions to exchange stories and catch up with the news.
As always we owe a huge thank you to all our professionals and partners: Ruth, Luke, Liam, Grace, Josh, Emily and Craig. Ruth for being the clipboard queen and Julie for keeping us watered (or tea’d and coffee’d)! Naturally the dancers could not do it without the support of everyone else and that was second to none. Well done to everyone who took part.
We still have some events coming up as we draw towards the end of the year, but things calm down a little now. We have an NATD qualifier next and then exams before we finally get into the full swing of the Christmas season.
