Rock n Roll nationals heading south
Invercargill has been named as the host of the 2019 Junior Rock n Roll Nationals competition, news which has thrilled Southland rock n roll dancers.
Invercargill Rock n Roll Club president Karl Herman said the club was given rights to host the 2019 Junior Rock n Roll Nationals competition, which will be held during Easter weekend at ILT Stadium Southland.
The competition would run over three days and would involve more than 1000 competitors, supporters, coaches, judges and executives from throughout the country, Herman said.
The announcement was made at a meeting in Wellington after Herman pitched the success of the Invercargill juniors and the ‘‘state of the art’’ stadium in the city.
‘‘The last time we hosted such an event was in 2012 where it was in the velodrome and the stadium wasn’t complete at that stage. Now they [visitors and competitors] will get to see and enjoy the multi sports stadium and what it’s used for,’’ Herman said.
Three other clubs put their hand up to host the competition but with Invercargill having the biggest junior section for the past six years it was a hassle for them to travel, he said.
More families and friends from the region would be able to watch the competition because it was on home soil, he said.
Dancers aged between 5 and 17 years, some with more than 10 years’ experience, would compete in several categories during the weekend. ‘‘The public are going to see some great dancers.
‘‘Be prepared to witness some fantastic dancing,’’ he said.
The club had 50 juniors but by 2019 Herman expected that number to grow to about 80. ‘‘We’ll have every section covered,’’ he said.
Members of the club were ‘‘over the moon’’ and in planning mode in the lead up to the event, he said.
‘‘It won’t be hard to organise, it’ll just be fun.’’
People and businesses were already putting up their hands to help out and sponsor the event, he said.
The competition will be held in Auckland next year.