Last week saw our Elite Team presentation evening take place for our Rhinestones Elite Team dancers, recognising and celebrating those who have shone throughout the year.
Rhinestones has always aimed to provide young people with access to high-quality dance classes at an affordable price. The programme offers specialised training led by highly experienced coaches for aspiring dancers throughout Leeds.
With sessions held in a safe and welcoming environment, Rhinestones is proud to inspire self-confidence, discipline, and camaraderie among its members. Throughout the year, our dancers have had the chance to perform on stage and live in front of thousands of Rhinos fans at AMT Headingley Stadium during Super League matches.
The programme continues to grow stronger each year, offering 10 classes per week across the city, including Elite Team classes. In March, we celebrated 15 successful years of the Rhinestones Dance Academy and look forward to its continued growth over the next decade.
Dance Coordinator, Nicola Booth, said “It’s been jam packed season for The Rhinestones Elite Team, which culminated with their End of Season Presentation Evening. Elite Team dancers do extra classes, competitions and performances throughout the season, so the Presentation Evening celebrates and recognises their achievements.
“The first awards of the evening were the Elite Team Service Awards, each dancer was awarded for their length of service to the Elite Team. Three dancers have been with the Elite Team since the beginning with a massive 9 seasons under their belts. Then there was some individual awards for stand out dancers in categories such as the Dancers Dancer, Most Improved Dancer, the Leadership Award, Street Dancer of the year and Cheer dancer of the year.
“It was a fantastic way to end their season, the Elite Team dancers deserve this recognition, they have become the beating heart of the Rhinestones, with their dedication, hard work, passion and professionalism. I’m so proud of their progress and achievements.
“I also have to give thanks to a special group of parents that helped me to organise this event, their hard work is also appreciated and contributed to what was a fabulous evening.”
The awards presented throughout the evening were as follows:
The Elite Team Service Awards – awarded based on dedication and length of service to the Elite Team.
The Long Service Awards – awarded to those who have completed 7, 8 or 9 seasons with the Elite Team.
Rookies Dancer of the Year Award – Edie Stone
Rascals Dancer of the Year Award – Harper Balance
Rockettes Dancer of the Year Award – Esme Oldroyd
Rebels Dancer of the Year Award – Bella Spence
Most Improved Award – Poppy Nowland
Cheer Dancer of the Year Award – Savannah Helly-Davey
Street Dancer of the Year Award – Daisy Pitts
Leadership Award – Daisy Smith
Dancer’s Dancer Award – Ella Primm
Denise Laura Award – Jess Dixon
We would like to say a massive congratulations to all of the award winners and to every single dancer who is a part of the Rhinestones Elite Team for their hard work and passion week in, week out.
We would also like to say a huge thank you Leeds Rhinos first team players, Justin Sangare and Paul Momirovski for taking the time out of their schedules to come and present the awards on the evening.
If you are interested in our Rhinestones dance classes and would like to get involved, please contact Nicola.booth@leedsrhinosfoundation.org.