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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Orlaith Clinton

Andersonstown dancers set sights on America after qualifying for World Championships

A West Belfast dance group has qualified to compete at the World Championships in Arizona this summer.

Blood, sweat and tears has gone into preparations for the competition by the young girls, who train out of a unit in Andersonstown and Mount Eagles.

The crew, named Kollizion Crew, includes children from five-years-old through to teenagers, and both groups have both their separate time to dance, and also combined sessions.

Read more: Belfast young people create powerful mural

Speaking to Belfast Live, dance teacher Rochelle McParland said it's been a journey of hard graft to get to where they are today - and that graft isn't over just yet.

"Kollizion Crew opened its doors in 2012, so ten years ago," she said.

"The aim of it was for inclusion and a sense of unity within the community. It creates a hub for our young people to express themselves through movement.

"As a dance teacher, I was a dancer from the age of nine. I opened the doors at the age of 19, and it was scary, but looking back at what we have achieved is incredible. Seeing the dance school qualify for the Worlds, was just outstanding. It was emotional.

Kollizion Dance School (Justin Kernoghan)

"The aim of the school is to unite. We would do a lot of cross-community projects with other dance schools across Belfast, and we are passionate about that relationship. It has been an amazing experience for me, as a dancer and a teacher.

"Through the ten years, we have had dancers come here from the age of five and it is amazing for us teachers to watch them grow. They become more creative and expressive.

Rochelle speaking to Belfast Live (Justin Kernoghan)

"I have witnessed a lot of the dancers come out of their shells. The parents' feedback is also brilliant."

Although the teams are through to the Worlds, it is up to them to come up with travel expenses. When they aren't dancing, the dance community is driving a campaign for help raise the funds to get the young people across waters.

"The Worlds are taking place in America this August, and it is going to cost a lot to get there," Rochelle added.

Kollizion Crew in action (Justin Kernoghan)

"We know we are very ambitious, and with that we have created a Go Fund Me page online, and have reached out to local businesses and organisations for their support. We are working so hard each day, every single minute matters to us.

"To get to Arizona would be incredible, to represent Belfast on that stage. We'll do all we can, and don't ever want to let them down."

Please visit this link to donate to Kollizion Crew's Arizona fundraiser.

Video by Belfast Live videographer Dylan Hegarty.

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