Samba Dance and Fitness are Dance Factor Champions

Samba Dance and Fitness show off their trophies

Samba Dance and Fitness scooped an impressive amount of trophies at the Dance factor championships in Wales last week, returning home as the champions for 2018.

Competing against schools from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Whitworth-based group competed in Solo, Pairs, Rock and Roll, Street, Teams and Show dance team events at the championships in Pwlheli.

Samba came away winning hundreds of trophies, tiaras, sashes and medals for competing, placing and winning many of their sections.

The girls came home Dance Factor Champions 2018, which included the U12s team, ‘Eclipse,’ the U16s team ‘Phoenix’ and ‘The Fallen’ show dance team.

Samba’s parent’s team ‘Cirque de Samba’ placed an impressive second place out of nine teams.

Over 800 people compete at this event each year, with each of the children having special permission from schools to attend due to the hectic schedule.

Samba’s Samantha Clarke said: “This was our first time competing on this level. It was all worthwhile, so a big thank you to the local schools for allowing this.

“We have been asked to compete again next year as the reigning champions of 2018. Our diary next year is really filling up.

“All the teachers at Samba Dance and Fitness are immensely proud of all our dancers, we couldn’t have asked for any more than they gave, the atmosphere was unbelievable, and the dancers supported each other from beginning to end.

“We have come a long way from the first class and I can only see better and brighter things for the future stars of our school.”

Samba will celebrating its 20th anniversary in January, having started out above The Workers in Whitworth in 1999. In March this year, the group bought their first premises in the heart of Whitworth where they run dance and fitness classes of all styles and for all ages.