NATD Blackpool Qualifier

Today was another day on the journey back to reality. It was only about a month ago we received notice that the North Midland Area were going to run this qualifying competition for the 2022 Medallist of the Year which is due to take place in July in Blackpool. We had lots of thoughts around; there not being much time to prepare, the event coming very close after one, or for some, two trips to Blackpool, could the team be ready was the question. But, we decided it was too good an opportunity to miss as it was a local event and managing to fit these events into our already busy calendar in previous years had proved rather a challenge. So we put the notice up and the response from everyone was amazing. We were a few short due to prior commitments or concerns about the current situation but, overall the response was amazing.

When we arrived we saw that the response from other dance schools was also amazing, with at least six other dance schools in attendance and a standard which meant we needed to bring our ‘A game’.

This was the first competition back for several people but they were soon put at ease as the atmosphere was really friendly both from within our team and across all dance schools. For some it was their first competition since March 2020, which is a long time for anyone but for the children it must seem an age and many had changed age groups and grown out of shoes and dresses but as always you all rallied around to make sure everyone was beautifully turned out.

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One of the features of the NATD Medallist of the Year programme is that they have many age and grade divisions and also Boys and Girls are split, regardless of the number of entries. This led to a few solo performances today. I know dancers go to these events to compete against other dancers but to find you are the only one in your event and required to give a solo demonstration can be equally, if not more nerve racking. Therefore, congratulations to all of you who had to face this challenge today and I believe your trophy is just as well deserved, possibly even more so.

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For the record the results were as follows :-

Scarlett came 5^th in her Quickstep and was recalled to the final of her Paso Doble, coming 5^th again. Not an easy dance for a little person

In the Juvenile sections, Tabatha achieved two 1^st places, along with two 2^nd places for Kaitlyn and a 4^th and a 3rd for Sophie.

In the Junior sections Fearn delivered two 3^rd places and new to the Junior ranks were Brooke and Chloe who each achieved a 2^nd and 3^rd place.

In the Adult sections we had solo demonstrations from Craig, Emily, Karly, Charlotte, Chris, Paul, Karen, Serena, Stephen, Allison K and Andrew. You were a credit to yourselves and the Dance School. I personally thoroughly enjoyed dancing with those of you who I was lucky enough to partner.

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In other Adult events Paige won her Waltz and was 2^nd in her Cha Cha Cha, Evie achieved two 3^rd places, Emma a 1^st and a 2^nd, Irina a 3^rd and a 4^th, Sian two 2^nd places, Kathryn two 2^nd places, Rosalind two 1^st places, Alison T a 2^nd and a 3^rd, Angela a 3^rd and a 4^th and finally (new to the team) Lisa a 4^th and a 2^nd.

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Thanks, as always must go to those who loaned clothes, helped with hair and make-up, chauffeured, clappped and cheered. Thanks also to Craig, Josh and Grace who assisted with the partnering, Craig for photography, Ruth who kept us all in order on the control sheet and finally a huge thank you to Luke. As I’m sure you noticed, Robert wasn’t with us today, he had received an invitation to adjudicate at Blackpool and at very short notice Luke very kindly gave up his weekend to be with us for practising on Saturday and dancing on Sunday.

We are very proud of you all and it was lovely to have such a large turnout today. Onwards now to medals in a couple of weeks and I hope you all have Sunday 6^th March 2022 in your diary for our Dancesteps competition.