Greenock Dance Group To Represent Scotland At Competition

L-R - Megan Sweeney and Isla Robertson. Image courtesy of Alex Craig

Youngsters from a Greenock dance group are to represent Scotland at a world cup dancing competition with support from Bowman Rebecchi.

A group of girls from Unity Dance Project fought off fierce competition from across the country to earn the right to wave the flag at the tournament in Braga, Portugal, later this year.

To qualify, the youngsters had to go head-to-head against other Scottish dance schools.

Owner Kerri Hair, who has been running the Roxburgh Street dance school for the past three years, has created many of the girls’ choreographies herself.

Kerri said: “To qualify to represent Team Scotland is a great achievement, especially for a small school like Unity, which was competing beside large established ones 50 years old or more.

“I am absolutely delighted that the girls are getting this opportunity and so proud of them."

The championships will run from June 30 until July 8, and see 12,000 dancers from 65 countries competing.

The group has qualified for the Junior Contemporary Team and Junior Show Dance Team, and some girls have secured slots to compete for solo as well.

Megan Sweeney, 13, a pupil at Notre Dame High, took first place overall in Scotland for her lyrical and contemporary routines and also qualified for her acrobatic solo routine.

Young duo Astyn Hannah, six, and Sara Casement, nine, gained first place for their joint performance during the qualifiers, securing them their slot.

Isla Robertson, 19, choreographed her own routine and will be entering individually in the national dance category.

The girls and their families have been working hard to raise funds through special events - such as a ladies’ day on February 4 and a race night in March - and the school has launched a fundraiser to help cover travel costs.

Several local businesses and organisations have come forward to sponsor members of the troop on their trip, including Bowman Rebecchi, Clyde Eats, GDP Mortgage Solutions, The Castle Company, Taj Mahal, Inside Out Therapy, Chris Wright & Sons, Don Shields Driving School, Alliance Gap Management and Man on Inverclyde.

Kerri added: “I would love to thank everyone in Inverclyde for the support they have given the girls already.

“It is costing almost £1,000 per child to take part and we would be extremely grateful for any help - no matter how small - from any local business or member of the community.”

Donations can be made here.

This article appeared in The Greenock Telegraph. Image courtesy of Alex Craig.