The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dancers from the Murthly-based MPD group will represent Scotland at the dance world cup in England this summer. More than 120,000 dancers from across the world will compete at the event, which could be held online should Covid restrictions remain tight.
APerthshire dance group is “absolutely buzzing” after a number of its members qualified for the dance world cup.
Seven dancers at the Murthly-based MPD dance group – run by Chanelle Wilson – will represent Scotland against 120,000 other competitors from around the world.
The dance world cup is set to go ahead in England in July, but organisers say it will be held online should coronavirus restrictions remain tight.
The seven qualifying dancers will perform a variety of styles including hip hop, tap and jazz following their successful video auditions.
The whole team is delighted to have such strong representation on the global dance stage.
Nicki Moncur, of MPD, said: “The girls are buzzing – they’re over the moon.
“The girls are so supportive of each other and have all really struggled not spending time together throughout lockdown.
“That’s what we stand for, team and dance family – this is important to us.”
She added: “There is also the mental health aspect and how Zoom has kept the girls in touch, and encouraged them to support each other through such difficult times.”
Meanwhile, the team has launched a fundraiser to help cover the cost of the girls’ entry fees, costumes and essentials for the competition.
The team has set up a GoFundMe page with a target of raising £7,000.
“Funding is a huge issue for us just now,” Nicki said, “and any help with this side of things would be amazing.
“Our kit has been donated by the Jimmie Cairncross Charitable Trust and we have been doing a bonus ball on Facebook between family and friends.”
The dancers managed to keep up with their lessons during lockdown through Zoom.
However, this has posed challenges for the girls, who are used to in-person classes.
Nicki said: “Online brings its own difficulties for space and it’s not easy to work on directions and footwork, plus all the glitches and drop-out of internet signals.
“But still they did it as a small, super-supportive and kind team.”
The girls competing for Scotland are Ruby Flatley, 17, Stella Reid, 16, Chloe Bloice, 11, Millie Dunbar-Moncur, 10, Lily Bloice, 10, Abigail Kettle, 9, and Ella Bloice, 6.
“Girls have struggled not spending time together in lockdown