Am I dreaming?

It is a proud moment when you receive an invitation letter from the Blackpool Dance Festival organizer Mrs. Sandra Wilson to represent your country in the world famous Blackpool Invitational Team Match of Nations.
It is a great recognition of the achievements that have been made to this point in your dance career. Every dance couple in the team has achieved their spot due to their own merits.
There comes a point soon after, an understanding and a realization that individual successes are no longer so important, now that you are a part of a team. When you check the dictionary, you will find there is no “I” in the word “TEAM”. These couples now have a responsibility to all their team mates,

“one for all and all for one!”

Every year a team captain is selected to coordinate the British Juvenile Team and another team captain has the honor to lead out the Junior Team. This year’s captains are Mrs. Joanne Crane for Juvenile Ballroom and Latin and for Junior Ballroom and Latin Mr. Warren Franklyn Boyce & Mrs. Kristi Boyce. In a show of complete solidarity and unity, the captains brought both teams together for a special event that took place today at Dance Crazy studios in South Wales, to get all of the dancers from both teams bonding closer together in the lead up to Blackpool.

Special Presentations

In a first of many very special presentations, our juvenile and junior team members were presented with their matching team tracksuits sponsored by International Dance Shoes and each individually named, done with thanks to the team captains. Children were absolutely delighted and all looked fabulous in their new team apparel. Photos were taken by Graham Martin Photography. The next presentation was made in person by Renata Janus of Janus Fashion who kindly surprised the children with free practice wear. Thanks to Rachel Gibbons from Ballroom Bling for sending all the girls accessories such as earrings and hairpieces. Lash Dance has asked to sponsor all the girls for lashes. Indigo Nails Lab – Mad Nails Bournemouth by nail champion Magdalena Smorga will provide the girls lovely nails. Misgrace is the kind sponsor of the cocktail party outfits. Tutuillyscrumptious has sponsored our gorgeous Team Mascot Scarlett Lunn. Our Juniors will be individually sponsored by their existing sponsors. DSI London, as they have done for many years for many generations of dancers, will again be sponsoring the Juvenile Team for their competition outfits.

Today was a day for proud parents to enjoy and dignitaries Mr. Antoniw from the Welsh Assembly and ex-councillor Mrs. Channon came to the studio to make the day even more special. These children would not be in the fortunate position they are today without all of the loving help their families give them. The other great reason why these couples are here is that they had a coach who believed in them and so, all main coaches were also invited to join today and enjoy the experience. Thank you for coming!

“The team that trains together stays together.”

W.F.B.

Rehearsals took place, including the ‘friendship through the dance’ Viennese Waltz and the Blackpool Friday Get-Together Team Presentation.

On behalf of the captains, thanks should be given to each and every team member for attending this special day. We are very thankful to all the parents, coaches, sponsors and distinguished guests who were all in attendance. Finally a big thank you to Dance Crazy studios for hosting this incredible get-together day. Please support Team GB at the forthcoming 2019 British Open Blackpool Junior Dance Festival and in the meantime watch the video and follow news and updates on Nice n Easy’s website and on Facebook.