Help get the Groutville line dancers to the national champs [Watch]
For most of the dancers it would not only be their first time travelling for a competition, but even travelling out of KZN.
Fifteen young line dancers from Groutville have earned their spots in the national championships next month, but need your help to get there.
The group have been the beneficiaries of a pilot programme from Vision 153 and Salt Rock dance school, Dance Café.
Every weekend over the past three months, Dance Café’s Colin Mandell and Terri Taylor have been travelling to Groutville to teach the kids how to line dance.
Set in a room at the back of the Groutville Community Centre, the wider group of 30 have been quick to pick up on the basics and are now ready to take the next step.
They have learnt in pairs, helping each other to get the rhythm and step patterns down, but will be alone on the stage when in competition.
“There is unmistakable talent in this bunch, but of course it needs to be correctly harnessed. I have no doubt that with time they all have the ability to compete at the top of the provincial and national level,” said Mandell.
Seven of the kids competed at the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) championships in July and after just two weeks of tuition, brought home a number of certificates.
This could be instructive of greater things, when the travelling group of 15 hope to be able to compete in Welkom at the SA championships on October 7 and 8.
“They have qualified and we have registered them, but of course the kids need funds for the travel, accommodation and equipment,” Mandell said.
No amount is too small and even R50 could be enough for a few meals or go towards buying the correct pair of shoes to give them the best chance possible.
For most of the dancers it would not only be their first time travelling for a competition, but even travelling out of KZN.
One such dancer is Amanda Bilai (17), the daughter of Groutville pastor Patrick Bilai.
“These past months have been some of the best of my life. All of us are just so excited for weekends to arrive so we can get dancing again. To travel together would be something that most of us would otherwise never have the opportunity to do,” she said.
If you would like to donate towards the cause, contact Lesley Forrest of Vision 153 at 082 550 2182 or Taylor at 079 435 7552.
Vision 153 can offer a section 18a certificate for financial donations.
Follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube for breaking news
Telegram Broadcast Service: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0
WhatsApp Broadcast Service: Add The Courier to WhatsApp at 082 792 9405 and WhatsApp your name and surname to be added.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
