IRISH dancers from the McWilliams Academy of Dance in Gqeberha impressed the panel of international judges at the recent South African Irish Dancing Championships held in Johannesburg from September 28 to October 1. The judges were Mandy Hennigan from England, and Bernadette Chaney Farrell and Ann O’Herlihy from Ireland.
Championship results:
. Shanna du Plessis was crowned the South African Champion in the girls’ 15 years age group
. Megan Walker and Mia Jonker were placed second and third respectively in the girls’ 16 years championship
. Alison Rennie was awarded third place in the girls’ 14 years and under championship.
These four dancers were selected to attend the Irish Dancing World Championships to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, in March 2024, where they will compete against the best Irish dancers from across the globe.
The junior dancers from the academy
who had great results at Nationals
were:
. Olivia Mukheibir – PC1 (10 years and over) 2nd
. Olivia Law – PC1 (10 years and over) 3rd
. Holly McMurray – PC3 (11 years and under) winner
. Kate Erlank – PC5 (13 years and under) winner
. Holly McMurray, Kate Erlank, Olivia Mukheibir and Alison Rennie – 4 Hand Reel (10 years and under) winners
. Emma Erlank, Buchule Bingwa and Anja Visser – the ungraded dancers who brought home many gold and silver ribbons
-ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE MCWILLIAMS ACADEMY OF DANCE
