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NORTHWEST MASTERS TROPHY DAY (22nd June 2008)
Fantastic News!
One of our club members - Aidan Kelly - entered his first competitive event on Sunday 22nd June 2008 at the Northwest Masters Trophy Day at Stockport Town Hall.
Congratulations to both Aidan and Sophia. You both looked smart, confident and appeared to thoroughly enjoy yourselves.
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Along with his partner Sophia, Aidan entered 6 events (3 Standard & 3 Latin) and got to the final in 4. As an unregistered competitor Aidan & Sophia were only able to dance Club, Beginner & Under 11 events. They came 3rd in the 2 Club competitions and 6th in both the Under 11s finals. While their performance was quiet compared to more dynamic juveniles, this belies their determination to show off their skills to the best of their ability, working together. |
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Although both were one of the smallest couples on the floor, neither were ruffled or lost their cool when jostled or bumped by other competitors. The Northwest Masters Trophy Day is not a particularly important event in the Dance Sport Calendar. However, it always attracts popular support for a Sunday Circuit Competition. With great music as well.. |
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As such, all the children (and adults) are able to have a good scrap on the day, complete with great vocal support from friends and relatives of the competitors, which always helps raise many people's games.
The venue itself is a beautiful and well maintained Victorian building with quite a large floor area, something of a rarity these days.
The Juvenile and Junior events were particularly well supported. Hopefully, this augurs well for the future of our sport.
In the coming months, it is hoped other club members - adult and junior - will follow in Aidan & Sophia's footsteps (sorry for the pun!) and have a go at competing. Partnerships are already being formed, so the club could very soon have quite a few new competitors joining the open circuit. And hopefully do just as well - if not better.
Dance Sport is not just a great way to make new friends and build your confidence, it is also a fabulous alternative to the traditional sports of football and tennis. Not just that. It is a non aggressive sport. But that doesn't mean you don't have to battle your way against others to reach the finals, fighting for space and trying to show off your skills to the ring of adjudicators against your opposition; some of whom may very well be your best friends or relatives off the floor.
Everyone can dance. Everyone has an equal chance of getting to the top. It all depends on how much you want it.
We'll keep you posted. Just watch this space.
MEDAL PRESENTATION
Sunday 18th May 2008 saw the first of this year's medal test presentations. Congratulations to all who took their tests this time and special congratulations to all club members who received top awards for their grades.
SPECIAL NOTE
This year also saw 2 members of the club receive the Overall Top Award twice on the run. While taking nothing away from their achievements, it can sometimes demoralise other members who feel they may not get the chance to win this top award.
So, in the interests of fairness and equal opportunity, it has been decided that when a member receives the top award twice on the run in any one year, then they will be disbarred for one year, after which they will be eligible again to receive it if that happens.
However, individuals that do fall into this category will be honoured with a special certificate if it is found they could have won the top award for a third time.
Below is a list with group photographs of all those who took their tests this year.
Grade Awards
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Junior Pre-Bronze Standard & Latin Matthew Cunliffe, Phoebe Hodgkinson, Amelia Riley, Elizabeth Melia, Liam Appleton, Abigail Edwards, Chloe Hartley, Callum Hartley, Danielle Bailey |
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Junior Bronze Combined Dara Beesley, Lucy Kerrigan, Megan Rees-Jones, Lydia Willis |
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Junior Silver Combined Reuben Austin, Rachel Blackburn, Louise Gallagher, Tamar Greenall, Aidan Kelly |
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Junior Bronze Line Dancing Matthew Cunliffe, Liam Appleton, Danielle Bailey, Reuben Austin, Lucy Kerrigan, Rachel Blackburn |
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One Dance Latin (Adult) Helen Russell, Claire Johnson, Paul Gerard, Lee Bamford |
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Bronze Combined (Adult) Phil McIver, Lauren Martin |
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Bronze Line Dancing (Adult) Paul Gerard, Lee Bamford |
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Top Awards
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Junior Top Awards
Top Pre-Bronze Standard (Boy): Liam Appleton & Callum Hartley Adult Top Awards
Top One Dance Latin Award (Adult): Helen Russell
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Top Award Overall Winners : |
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CLUB FUND
The club fund begins to grow. Could I thank the many parents, grandparents, family members and friends who not only came to support club members at the latest medal presentation, but also dug deep to raise a further £28 for the club fund.
It was decided this year to start a fund aimed at helping club members do 2 things:
1. To keep members together in a variety of activities
2. To help support the career of any member who wishes to compete.
I am trying to get a small committee of parents and adult members organised in order to come up with ideas for fund raising. If you would like to get involved just let me know. Alternatively, if you would like to offer suggestions, do get in touch.
I am always looking for ways to improve the club, the quality of the teaching and organisation. I welcome suggestions. So, I intend setting up a suggestion box which you are cordially invited to use.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Have you ever thought of having a private lesson? It could be a great investment. Not only do you get greater personal tuition, your dancing can ‘come on’ in leaps and bounds in a very short time. It’s not expensive either.