Donna Shingler wouldn’t name names but is confident Wollongong-based dancers have a great chance of winning the South Coast Ballroom Spectacular.
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A record of almost 200 competitors will take part at Anita’s Theatre in Thirroul on Sunday but the event organiser believes two local couples have a real shot of taking out the title and in the process winning the right to represent Australia at the British Open Championships in 2017.
The winners of the Amateur Open Ballroom and Amateur Open Latin American events on September 25 will get the opportunity to compete in the ‘’biggest competition in the world’’.
“In our industry the British Open Championships is like Wimbledon. It is the one that everyone wants to win,’’ Mrs Shingler, a former British Open champion herself, said.
In our industry the British Open Championships is like Wimbledon. It is the one that everyone wants to win.
- Donna Shingler
“All our kids desperately, desperately want to get there. Our studio [Dancespace 383 Wollongong] is going to be well represented and our dancers are in with a real shot.
“Everyone is really excited to see who is going to get these prizes.’’
The popularity of this competition means that couples from all states of Australia, New Zealand and overseas are set to converge on Thirroul to take part in the annual spectacular which has been running in the Wollongong region for more than 50 years.
Mrs Shingler said the event, which allows participants of all levels and all ages to compete in Ballroom, Latin American and New Vogue dance styles, was a feature on the Australian DanceSport Calendar.
“This is one of the longest running ballroom events in Australia,’’ she said.
“It is important that we continue this tradition of bringing the event to the region, giving our local dancers a chance to test their skills against the best in the country.
“Hosting this event in the Illawarra at a fabulous venue like Anita’s Theatre, allows the local community to get a taste of the glitz, the glamour and the athleticism that is ballroom dancing.
“It gives them the chance to get a close up look at the real stars of the ballroom world, as the champions of today grace the floor alongside the stars of the future.’’
Dancing starts at noon on Sunday. Tickets at Ticketmaster or www.southcoastballroomspectacular.com
