Sutton: Brooke claims European title for Irish dance

Brooke Drury, 8, only took up the pursuit 18 months ago, but claimed first placed in the under-9s category of the World Irish Dance Association event in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The pupil at St Philip Neri with St Bede Catholic Primary School in Mansfield first started dancing at an after-school club once a week.

She has since joined the Gallagher O’Connor Irish Dancing Academy and made her way from beginner up to intermediate, allowing her to take to the international stage.

“Brooke is so passionate about her dancing that she now attends her dance school three times a week and it just goes to show that dedication really does pay off,” said proud mum Kali Hindley.

“She has attended Feishes (competitions) throughout the UK and has always managed to come home with great results, but this was her first European competition.

“We thought this year we would fly with the school and enter Brooke into the competition for the experience more than anything to build her confidence. We never expected her to be first in all of her dances and be European Champion!

“Brooke has made so many lovely friends since joining Gallagher O’Connor and had great support from her family her and friends, as well as her teachers.”

Next in the line of competition is a WIDA regional event in Hemel Hempstead in July with training in preparation for that date already well under way.

Brooke has also moved up to the category of open dancer category since her success in Germany - the highest band that can be reached.

Kali added: “Brooke will be doing her best to keep her European title in 2015. She is always glued to watching the river dance when she isn’t at dancing, with the hope of being in that one day.”