Juniors from the Cambridge Cruisers Rock n Roll Club will compete at the Rock n Roll Junior Nationals next month. Pictured is, from left, front row: Katie Bowler, 10, Camille Pivott, 10, Molly White, 7, Tristan Pivott, 11. Middle row, Abbie Crow, 17, Zarah Higgins, 12, Ashleigh Hjorth and Zarah Armstrong, 17. Back row: some of the parents and coaches, Anna Hastings, Colleen Ryan, Jared Pivott, Hilary Crow, Sue Keating and Brad White.
A team of eight young dancers from the Cambridge Cruisers Rock n Roll Club will compete in the Rock n Roll Junior Nationals in Invercargill next month.
It will be the first time the club competes at the competition, and the first time that all but one of them has competed at such a high level.
“It’s a fabulous opportunity for the children,” said Colleen Ryan, vice president of Cambridge Cruisers Rock n Roll.
“The journey started in November with regular practices throughout the summer and that has really started to pay off now with everything coming together well.”
Six of the Cambridge dancers will compete as a “top team”, performing a choreographed routine to the well known tune In Your Arms by Elvis Presley.
Two same-sex couples and a junior same-sex couple from the Cambridge club will also compete in the high-volume category which caters for the overwhelming number of girls that participate in dance.
“And we’re lucky enough to have one novice couple taking the floor which is solely for couples who have never danced at a Nationals before,” said Ryan.
The club has been fundraising to cover the cost to attend the event, and parents have ensured the young dancers are practiced and prepared for the big day.
“Without the parents it just wouldn’t happen,” said Ryan.
“We’re delighted to be able to visit and support and help make the Nationals a huge success as we grow rock n roll within our communities. Of course all the dancers will be dressed up in the era of the 1950’s and it’s such a wonderful sight to see when they’re all about to take the floor and entertain the crowd.”
The Club wished to thank all who have supported the fundraising effort.
The Rock n Roll Junior Nationals will take place April 19 – 21.
A demo will be performed by club members on Thursday 11 April at the club rooms on Hall St. Keep an eye out on the Facebook page for more.
