The Leeds Dancesport team shone throughout the first semester against other teams from around the country.
Standout performances came from two couples in particular at the British Sequence Championships back in October. Leeds are proud to have four British champions – last year’s Dancesport president, David Adams, and his partner Laura Tiffany, who were crowned British Social Dancers Modern Sequence Champions, and Dancepsort’s current President, Chris Robinson, and his partner Lucy Kenyon as British Amateur Latin Sequence Champions.
The university dance circuit commenced at Leicester University’s Student Union in November, with some outstanding results for the team. The beginners performed brilliantly in their first ever competition by coming second in the team match, only marginally being beaten by the Nottingham beginners team. Leeds’ most advanced dancers also came second in their division. A special mention goes to Sarah Baird and Becky Davies for winning gold in the quickstep and also to Matt Richardson and Tasha Lamb-Kirk for coming first in the waltz.
The first varsity competition of the season was hosted by Warwick University, where the success of Leicester continued. The competition was fiercer, with teams such as Cambridge and Cardiff taking top places. Leeds held their own, with all couples making at least the semi-finals. The highlight of the day was the Leeds team being congratulated by the compere for their support for teammates, testament to Leeds’ spirit in general.
The final competition of 2014 was held in Manchester, arguably the best for the Leeds team in terms of results. Leeds continued to excel in the team event, with the beginners team taking home the gold medal. To top it off, the Leeds Dancesport team captain, Nicola Ward, and her partner, Jordan Steel, came first in five out of ten dances.
2015 saw Leeds pick up where they left off with some fantastic results, notably Joanna Barrett and Eefke van Eden, who won gold in the novice waltz category and the quickstep and also Sarah McKenna and Mollie Feather who came first in the same-sex waltz and the quickstep.
A continuation of Leeds’ exceptional results so far in the Dancesport season is expected in upcoming competitions, but the signs have certainly been very promising.
Congratulations to all Leeds Dancesport couples for their achievements so far this academic year.
Beth Leake