Taunton Dance Company claims two national titles

28 children aged between 5 and 17 travelled to the Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke on Trent on the March 6 to compete against 20 other teams in the prestigious annual event.

The MAD Crew had recently become regional winners and were also representing the South West.

Not one, but two, of the ‘Street Crews’ were crowned national Championships, on a triumphant day that also saw notable success in the solo categories.

The ‘Next Generation’ team consisted of 13 children aged 9 and under and ‘The Misfits’ team consisted of 12 dancers aged between 12 and 17 years.

MISFITS - Jess Shimmin, Grace North, Minnie Groves, Layla Knutt, Megan Rackham (Principle), Hannah Ponter, Aimee Yarde, Lucy Todd, Katie Burston, Lila Kendrick, Nynitya Kathula, Darcey Batstone, and Carla Valenzuela Varez.

Both fought off very strong competition to become the eventual winners.

A special mention to Ella Baker of the Next Generation crew who was unable to attend the finals due to recently breaking her leg.

Many of the dancers also entered solo categories with a number placing into the semi-finals and achieved standings of 4th, 5th and 6th in the country.

One young dancer, Lilly Nicholls, aged 9, did extremely well.

Lilly has type one diabetes and has a permanent medical device fitted that has to be worn during competition.

She came 5th overall in the Additional Needs Category, a notably high achievement considering many of the other competitors in her group were aged were aged up to 15.

Principal of the Dance Academy, Megan Rackham, said: “I am so proud of all of the students who took part.

"Their hard work, determination and talent really paid off.

"We had been due to enter this competition in June 2020, so it’s been a very long time coming.

Megan’s Academy of Dance has a dedicated studio based at the MAD House in Galmington Road, in Taunton.

For more information about the classes on offer, visit: https://megansacademyofdance.co.uk