Irish dancers need help to get to world champs
Eight dancers have qualified to compete in the Irish Dancing World Championships in Dublin, and now their Bergvliet dance school is raising funds to get them there.
The Ramsay School of Irish Dance is performing at parties and other events and has started a BackaBuddy campaign to raise R120 000 to cover costs for the week-long stay from Sunday April 13 to Sunday April 20.
The dance school is run by Elaine Bester and her daughter, Kelsey. According to Kelsey, most of the school’s dancers are at championship level, or Croabh Comórtas, and this year, the school will be recruiting to take on dancers from beginner grade, Bun Ghrád, and primary grade, Tús Ghrád.
Over the festive season, the dancers brought the spirit of Ireland to corporate events, Christmas markets and an Irish tavern to raise money.
Kelsey says the qualifying dancers have been doing fitness training three to four times a week in preparation for the world championships.
“To qualify for Worlds, you have to be an all-rounder. This requires somebody who is technically skilled in rhythm and timing, a performer people want to watch. But you also have to be strong, an athlete who attacks with drive and focus. It's rare to have a combination of all of these, and so the people who do qualify for Worlds put in the work because no one is good at all of that naturally.
“This is just our biggest cohort going, and that’s why we’ve started a massive fund-raising campaign because we want everybody to have access to go to Worlds. Usually it has to be self-funded, and that does disqualify a lot of people. So many people that qualified have never gone because they just can't afford to go overseas,” says Kelsey.
Over 2 500 qualifiers from 23 countries competed in the 2024 World Irish Dance Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
"The lively music, different rhythms, and energy are what first attracted me to Irish dancing. It's an amazing form of exercise, and it also allows one to meet many wonderful people. Irish dancing has helped grow my confidence and has given me a sense of belonging. What started as a hobby/sport has become a huge part of my life," says Cathryn Goodwin, 27, one of Ramsay’s world qualifiers.
Charlotte Cooper, 16, another world qualifier, says the community of people is what she loves about Irish dance. “The friendships and memories I have made that I will treasure forever. I love that I am able to challenge myself with the steps and dance to the beat of the music.”
The dance school will be performing at Ferrymans Irish Tavern at the V&A Waterfront at 2pm on Sundays in February, on the 9th and 16th; in March on the 2nd and 30th. For a St. Patrick's Day Celebration for the Irish Association, the dancers will perform on Sunday March 16 at The Range in Tokai.
For information, contact Anna Lisa at 071 3838780 or Stine at 084 873 7738.
