A TROUPE of dancers from Clydebank are set to represent Scotland at a global competition later this month.

A group of 14 dancers from Hunter School of Dance, based at Clydebank Business Park, has qualified to represent Scotland at the Dance World Cup – one of the biggest competitions in the world.

The team initially qualified for the 2020 event, but because of the Covid-19 pandemic the competition was pushed to 2021.

The finals will now run from August 9-19.

Debbie Hunter Mills, principal of the dance school, told the Post: “We’re a relatively new school and 2020 was the first time that we auditioned for the Dance World Cup.

“It’s the biggest competition that we will ever take part in, with more than 120,000 competitors from 62 countries competing.

“It doesn’t get much bigger than representing your country and this competition is very much the Olympics of the dance world, it’s what everyone aspires to.

“The finals usually take place in a different country each year – 2020 was supposed to be Rome and 2021 was supposed to be Spain, but instead we’re in Telford this year which is understandable given the current situation with Covid-19.

“We have qualified for a total of 79 dances, including solos, duets, trios and groups, and were honoured to receive two special awards from the auditions for highest marked routines of the whole country.”

Debbie said the team has been working tirelessly to prepare for the competition and have stayed strong in the face of adversity.

She added: “We were working super hard towards the 2020 finals when lockdown hit and everything came to a halt.

“The girls have been absolutely incredible and continued working fully on Zoom and on online sessions to allow them to keep up their training and keep fit.

“I cannot praise them enough. They’ve rearranged whole houses and gotten rid of furniture just to give them space to practice.

“For us, as teachers, it’s been really tough and I can only imagine how hard it has been for the kids too.

“It’s so nice to see them get that sense of camaraderie back and the teamwork which they have been missing for so long.

“As a teacher, you can’t ask for anything more.

“The younger kids at the school really look up to the team who are going to the Dance World Cup and it’s lovely to see them have something to aspire to.”

Hunter School of Dance would like to thank their sponsors for helping them make it to the competition.