A Greenock-based junior dance troupe has delivered a landmark performance on the international stage, bringing home a total of 17 medals from the Dance World Cup in Dublin. The squad from Unity Dance Project — part of The Dance Collective — competed against more than 11,500 dancers from around the globe and returned to Inverclyde to widespread local celebration.
Record haul for a small group
The ten-strong team from Unity Dance Project took part in several age categories across multiple styles, including lyrical, contemporary, jazz, acro and show dance. Their week-long stay in Dublin (7–14 July) culminated in an extraordinary medal count: nine golds, four silvers and four bronzes, together with a number of other top-six and top-10 finishes.
- Team size: 10 dancers
- Event: Dance World Cup, Dublin
- Overall medal total: 17 (9 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze)
| Medal | Count |
|---|---|
| Gold | 9 |
| Silver | 4 |
| Bronze | 4 |
Teacher and leader Kerri Hair described the experience as overwhelming and emotional, highlighting the intense preparation the youngsters undertook at their Greenock studios. The students, who trained extensively since Christmas, competed in the mini, under-nines and children's sections for ages up to 14.
"I have been crying for two weeks, I've been totally blown away."
The result is notable not only for the number of medals but for the scale of success relative to the size of the group. The Dance Collective stated that Unity Dance Project won more gold medals than the rest of Scotland combined at this year's competition, marking what they called the most successful performance by a Scottish dance school at the event.
Local impact and community support
Such international recognition boosts the profile of youth arts in Inverclyde and provides a morale lift for local clubs, families and sponsors who supported the trip. The dancers received backing from nearby businesses, supermarkets and community organisations that helped fund travel and accommodation — a reminder of the collaborative effort behind grassroots success.
Beyond medals, invitations to a gala showcase offered further exposure: five of the dancers were selected to perform at a star-studded final event reserved for section winners. For the youngsters involved, the competition delivered high-level experience and national representation at a global tournament that attracted entrants from countries including Australia, the United States, China and Ukraine.
As the dancers return to regular training in Inverclyde, the achievement is likely to inspire other local children and strengthen the case for continued community investment in performing arts and youth development programmes.
