The
Imperial Open Freestyle
Championships 2006
Sunday
5th March 2006
Once
again the Spelthorne Leisure Centre in Staines, Middlesex,
was packed with competitors and spectators for the Imperial
Open Freestyle Championships.
This
energy packed annual event attracts dancers from many
areas and everyone arrived to a brightly-lit stage with
red, white and blue balloons and some bright and colourful
trophies supplied by Ivor Baker Awards. In the centre
of the stage were four beautiful, very large cups each
filled with a teddy bear donated by The Beanie Bear
Stall who were present at this event; four large bouquets
of deep red and white flowers for the winners of each
section of Dancer of the Year, and deep red single carnations
for the runners-up. Also set out on the stage were 26
photo frames waiting to be filled with photographs of
each winner of the Solo Events, donated by Alan Blackholly,
the photographer for the day.
Paul
Streatfield, organiser of this event and Vice-Chairman
of the DFR Faculty, welcomed everyone on behalf of the
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and Yvonne
Taylor-Hill, DFR Faculty Chairman, wished the competitors
a day of success and the spectators a day of enjoyment.
The panel of five distinguished and independent Adjudicators
was welcomed out onto the floor - Justine Collins from
Sussex, Moya Jordan from Hampshire, Nigel Kirk from
Lancashire, Jimmy Welch from Kent and Derek Green from
Surrey.
With
music played by DJ Darren Bow, the Under 6 Beginners
came out on to the floor to start the day off followed
by 26 little bubbles of energy in the Under 8's. The
events with the highest number of competitors for the
whole day were the Under 12 and the Under 14 Beginner
sections, both with 36 entries. Boys in the Beginner
events had both power and elevation and it was obvious
right from the start that a very high standard of dancing
was being set for the remainder of the day by all competitors.
Grooming
plays a very important part in presentation and it was
evident that a lot of dancers paid great attention to
detail, not only with their hair but also with the girls
wearing earrings to match the colour of their outfits.
The
starter dancers gave a great display of energy and enthusiasm
and the Under 14 section with the highest number of
competitors, 24 in this age group, proved to be a challenge
for the adjudicators who were faced with two semi-finals
before whittling the dancers down to only four finalists.
The
Intermediate events revealed some very stylish dancers,
especially the Under 10's, any of whom could have been
winners. Overall, the Intermediate dancers were well
finished off, giving slick and well rehearsed routines
containing well placed kicks and spins with good floor
craft.
All
Championship events were filled with dancers showing
power and speed. Accuracy of movement and dance ability
were maintained as spins were performed with control
and well placed kicks and elevated leaps confirmed the
versatility of each dancer on the floor. All finalists
had technique and agility, with personalities that shone
out in their movements to the music performed on the
dance floor.
The
highlight of the day as always was the Imperial Dancers
of the Year event, each grade being represented by the
winners of Solo Events. The Imperial Beginner of the
Year 2006 was won by the Under 14 winner Sophie Barrow,
an energetic dancer showing great promise and determination.
Imperial Starter of the Year 2006 was won by Over 16
winner Jade Holley, a punchy and energetic dancer. Imperial
Intermediate of the Year 2006 was won by Under 16 winner
Charlotte Booth, a dancer with flair and well held kicks.
Imperial Champion of the year 2006 was won by Under
18 Girl winner Kayleigh West, a very flexible and charismatic
dancer with lovely presentation of style and character.
There
were ten teams in the Team Events and four age groups
represented, all with very individual styles and choreography.
Winners of the Under 12 Beginners with two entries were
‘Energise’ trained by Emily Drinkall from
Dancenergy. Winners of the Under 16 Beginners, also
with two entries, were ‘Red Alert’ trained
by Lisa and Steve McLean. Winners of the Under 16 Intermediates,
with three entries, were ‘Absolute’ trained
by Alison Anderson and winners of the Under 12 Championship
grade, with three entries, were ‘Abracadabra’
trained by Paul Streatfield.
The
Pairs Events were well supported with the Under 14 Beginners
and the Over 16 All Girl Championship section having
the largest entries. Worthy of note - the Under 12 Boy/Girl
Pairs section with three couples each showing the dynamics
of partner dancing and working well together.
The
Rock'n'Roll events were also well supported and it was
very rewarding to see different systems being used with
good technique and Rock'n'Roll action. All dancers showed
a great deal of energy and in each age group couples
challenged each other for their places in the finals.
At
the end of another fantastic Championship day, Yvonne
Taylor-Hill thanked all the teachers for coming with
their pupils and parents to take part in this prestigious
event. She thanked the DFR Committee members who were
present on the day for their help, the DJ, the Scrutineers
Panel and Mick Little, the Runners and all the people
behind the scenes for their input. Lastly she thanked
Paul Streatfield for his dedication and for organising
the event.
Jilly
Harris
Photographs: Alan BlackhoIly |
