YOUNG dancers from an Ashton-under-Lyne centre have celebrated a major international achievement after representing England at their first-ever World Championships.
Dancers from Blaze Street Dance Academy, which has been part of the community since 2011, travelled to Blackpool in August for the four-day UDO competition, competing alongside talent from across the globe.
More than 300 teams took part in the championships, with Blaze’s elite junior team, Limitless Juniors, securing an impressive 15th place.
The academy’s youngest duo, Amariah and Phoebe, also achieved an outstanding result, finishing fifth in the world in their category.
The success follows an exciting two-year period of international competition.
After qualifying, members of Blaze competed at the European Championships in Belgium last year before achieving a top 10 placing at this year’s in Germany.
Dancers must qualify to compete at both the European and World Championships, making each appearance on the international stage an achievement in its own right.
Sammy-Jo Boulton, owner of Blaze Street Dance Academy, said: “To represent England on the world stage at our first UDO World Championships and come home with these results is something we are incredibly proud of.
“Our dancers have put in countless hours of training and extra rehearsals, so seeing that hard work create opportunities for them to compete internationally has been amazing.
“Over the last two years, our dancers have progressed from the Europeans in Belgium, to achieving a top 10 placing at the Europeans in Germany in May, and then on to their first World Championships in August.
“Every one of those opportunities has been earned through qualification, which makes their journey even more special.
“Limitless Juniors worked incredibly hard to earn their place at Worlds, and finishing 15th is an achievement we will never forget.
“None of this would be possible without the commitment of our dancers, teachers, and families, who have supported them every step of the way.”
Blaze was established in April 2011 and has since grown into one of the area’s main street dance schools, running classes across Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge.
The academy – whose main studio is on Store Street – offers classes for children and adults of different ages and abilities, from those taking their first steps into dance to dancers looking to perform and compete.
Classes include Street and Breakdance, Contemporary, Stunt and Pom, Acro, Flips and Tricks and Mini Cheer and Acro, with both recreational and competitive opportunities available.
Sammy-Jo said one of the academy’s biggest aims was to give local children the opportunity to discover street dance and see where it could take them.
She added: “A child can walk through our doors having never danced before and go on to build confidence, make friendships, perform, compete and even have the opportunity to represent England at European and World Championship level.
“We hope our dancers’ achievements inspire more children across to give street dance a try.
“From a first dance class to an international stage, you never know where that journey could lead.”
Blaze Street Dance Academy is currently welcoming new members, with free trials available across all classes throughout September.