THE Vale youth dance programme has been hard at work over the past few months and have won quite a lot of awards.

Local Motion Dance Company were awarded the Bronze INSPORT award for their commitment to inclusion and providing the only weekly dance class for children and young people with disabilities. The dance company were also winners at the 2014 Vale Youth Awards under the Arts Category for all their hard work and performances they have produced over the past year in the community.

Motion Dance Company street dance teams have also both qualified to compete for Wales at the UDO World Streetdance Championships in Glasgow next month. ERA competed in the under 18 novice section against many other teams from across the UK at the UDO British Championships earlier in the year and were placed 3rd. They also took part in the WDO Street Slam competition later on in the month and came home with lots of trophies from different categories. Yasmin and Kia Harcourt came 1st in the little n large, Hannah Bishop came 2nd in the over 16 solo, our quad was awarded 2nd place in the under 16’s, ERA crew consisting of Kia Harcourt, Billie James-Cayton, Ryan Hodge, Keyleigh Borge, Hannah Bishop, and Harriet Knowles came 3rd in the over 16 division. Dance teacher Yasmin came 3rd in the teachers freestyle with Billie achieving 5th place in her under 16 solo and her duet with Ryan also being awarded 5th.

The children’s team JuVenile recently won the under 12 WDO title along with Lloyd Williams who took 1st place in the under12 solo and third in duos with Jasmin Miller. Tillie McKechnie was awarded 3rd in her under12 solo with Elise Butler in 5th place. Huge thanks goes to Olivia Shouler and Yasmin Harcourt for their hard work and great choreography with both dance groups.

Both teams are looking to raise funds to help them attend this prestigious event by undertaking various sponsored events. Their fundraising efforts have won them the Recognition Award at the 2014 Vale Youth Awards. They will be performing alongside other groups from Motion Control Dance at the Barry Rugby Club Fun Day on July 19, between 1pm-3pm and the Fire station Fun Day on July 26, between noon–2pm.

For more details of the dance programme that gives all children and young people living in the Vale ‘A Chance 2 Dance’ contact Emma Mallam Dance Co-ordinator on 07725038778 or visit www.motioncontroldance.co.uk