Pole dancing ‘should be in the Olympics’
TEENAGER, 14, HAS BEEN POLE DANCING SINCE SHE WAS 10 AND THINKS IT WILL EVENTUALLY FEATURE IN OLYMPICS
A TEENAGER who is an award-winning pole dancer has hit back at critics and has said she wants the sport to be recognised in the Olympics.
Elise Fawcett first began pole dancing when she was 10 years old and quickly fell in love with the sport.
The now 14-year-old high school pupil has come a long way since her first lesson, having won awards for her skills, and she now even teaches pole dancing classes at Pole Sisters, in Bolton.
However, Elise said she has faced a backlash from bullies who have called her a ‘stripper’ because of her pole dancing.
The talented schoolgirl now wants to break down misconceptions surrounding the sport.
She said: “I instantly fell in love with pole dancing from the first moment I tried it out and haven’t looked back. I loved how hands-on it was and how it made me feel so fit and strong. It is also loads of fun. There is definitely a big misunderstanding about pole dancing for fitness.
“I’ve had negative comments and people have called me a stripper and things like that. But I’ve never let it get to me because I love what I do. It never bothers me because it’s my life and I’m so passionate about it. I just ignore them and don’t think of it.
“I understand where they’re coming from, because from an outside perspective there is an association with pole dancing and stripping.
“But once people give it a go and understand it more, they see that it’s really similar to gymnastics, and the pole is just an apparatus. I see it as pole fitness not pole dancing as it’s classed as a sport.
“I have been told what I wear is revealing. But the reason I wear minimal clothing is because I need as many contact points to the pole as I can. “You’d never be able to do it covered head to toe in clothing. You would slip off.”
The teen has won eight awards after competing in pole dancing competitions around the UK and said she believes that the sport will soon be recognised in the Olympics.
Elise added that she hopes to one day own her very own pole dancing studio so that she can pass on her skills and knowledge of the sport to others who are eager to try it out.
She said: “Pole dancing is growing massively, and I do think one day it will be in the Olympics.
“The thing I love most about pole is how it builds up your strength and fitness. It has built up my self-confidence so much. I used to be so shy before I started this, but now I feel more confident and self-aware.
Her mum Sinead, 39, of Bradford, West Yorkshire, has supported her daughter from day one and said she could not be prouder of how far she has come with pole dancing.
And although she too has faced some harsh backlash from adults who she said have judged her for letting Elise do pole dancing, Sinead said she has never let it get to her and will continue to support her daughter’s dreams.
The business owner said: “When Elise first started doing it at 10, I always felt the need to explain it to people, even when they didn’t ask me to.
“I used to feel judged. I think more than anyone saying something straight to my face about Elise’s pole dancing, I’ve had them roll their eyes and raise eyebrows about it.
“As a parent of a teenage girl, it’s lovely to have a daughter that feels good about herself.”