Hoby teenager to represent England at 2016 Dance World Cup

Isobel Knight (16) will form part of a 550 strong national team competing against 39 other countries at the event, which will take place in St Helier, Jersey, from June 25 to July 2.

Isobel, who attends Ratcliffe College, is one of 46 dancers from the Leicester-based Dupont Dance Stage School who have been chosen by national selectors, from thousands of entries across the country, to represent Team England. She will perform in 12 dances during the competition in a variety of disciplines.

The talented dancer is already a multiple national medallist, most recently winning three medals including a gold at the 2015 All England Dance Finals at the Hackney Empire in London last July.

Isobel said: “I’m extremely honoured to be representing Melton as part of the England team. I really hope that everyone can get behind me.”

Dupont, the only school in Leicestershire to have had dancers selected to represent England this summer, is now on a fundraising mission to help pay for the cost of travel and accommodation for the competition.

Since their national call up they have been able to raise £7,000 but are now hoping that local businesses and the community will also get behind them.

Rebecca Sarrafan, Dupont Dance Stage School principal, said, “Dupont will be the largest delegation from an East Midlands based dance school and there’s no doubt that Isobel and the other students will form a crucial part in England’s efforts to return from Jersey with a haul of medals.”

The 2016 Dance World Cup will see dancers from 40 countries compete in the disciplines of classical ballet, modern, tap, song and dance, street/hip hop and national dance. More than 18,000 competitors from around the world have competed in their respective national qualifiers.

Any businesses interested in supporting Dupont’s fundraising efforts can find out more by emailing [email protected]

Members of the public wishing to make a donation can visit the Dupont World Cup fundraising page at https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Dupontdanceschool