Gourock dance school set for World Championships in Florida

Dancemania and DM Diamondz, based in Gourock, once again have cheerleaders and hip hop stars heading to the World Championships 2025 in Florida.

Dance teacher Ann Marie Campbell is over the moon to have a group from her school represented at the flagship ICU Cheerleading event next April with thousands of others from across the globe.

She will heading off with DM Diamondz dancers  Emma McBride Kaci Devenny Eva Campbell Lily Brown Zara Morrison and Leah Grieve who have all been selected for Team Scotland.

Dancers heading for Florida (Image: George Munro)

Now they are launching a fundraising campaign in the hope of getting sponsors on board to back the girls.

Dance teacher Ann Marie said: "It is just a great experience for all the girls involved. It really is about bringing dancers from all over the world together, in unity. They have a ceremony where they exchange gifts. 

"Our dancing school is all about friendship and building our dancers' confidence."

One of the dancers they met at the World Championships has now joined the DM Diamondz, Leah Grieve now travells all the way from Fife twice a week to train with them.

Ann Marie added: "It is a big commitment going to the worlds because they have to train every other weekend with the Scotland team in Clydebank and then that steps up to every weekend."

Eva Campbell, aged 14, is heading to the worlds for the fourth time.

She  said: "I am so excited to be going again. I absolutely love taking part. The best part about it is meeting other dancers from different countries."

Eleven year old Emma McBride is going for the second year in a row, she will taking part in th cheerleading events with Eva, Lily, Zara and Leah while Kaci is representing Scotland at hip hop.

She said: "I loved it in Florida and I can't wait to go back."

Her mum Karen, helps out at the dance school and is involved in the fundraising campaign.

She said: "You can't explain how amazing it is. We are hoping to raise as much money as we can to help get the girls there. We are hoping some local businesses will sponsor us."

They are hoping to raise £2,000 to help cover the costs of travel, accommodation and uniforms so the  young athletes can showcase their skills and represent Scotland.

Dancemania and DM Diamondz has around 150 dancers both competitively and recreational with two shows a year.

Ann marie added: "Our main priority as a dance school is to keep costs down as much as we can for all the girls."

To support the Gourock dance school fundraising campaign visit https://shorturl.at/YVguQ

Any local businesses looking to support the team can contact the dance school on their face book page