Sheffield children's '˜dance around the world'

The ‘Dance around the World’ event took place last Wednesday, with the aim of helping children to get active by using the appeal and power of dance,

Three Sheffield primary schools were involved, Broomhill Primary, Nether Green Infants and Westways Primary.

Second year Hallam students Matt Harrison, Matt Lomas, Macauley Hobson, Stuart MsIlraith and James Harrison played host to their young visitors at King Edward VII Lower School.

Matt Harrison said: “This was an amazing opportunity for children to get involved in a new form of physical activity that they may not have tried before.”

Dancers Melanie Simpson and Claudia Dawe from Razzamataz, an award winning theatre school in Sheffield for young people aged two to 18, offered their support and delivered 20-minute dance workshops in the styles of musical theatre and street dance.

Their sessions are tailored to help children to grow in confidence in all aspects of their lives, to make new friends, maintain their health and fitness and, hopefully, have plenty of fun along the way.

Rachel Jenkinson, founder of Inspire Activities, a sporting organisation that provides quality activity provision to Rotherham and Sheffield, also offered her help and visited the event to deliver a 20-minute dance workshop in the energetic style of Zumba.

From sport, dance and fitness through to play, events and parties, the organisation aims to engage, excite and inspire people to get up on their feet and enjoy life to the full.

Rachel said: “There is no better feeling than engaging people, whether young or old, in different activities, motivating them and seeing positive changes to their learning, health and wellbeing and quality of life.”

The dancing began with a mass warm-up, delivered to the sound of Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk.

All teachers, volunteers and members of the events team were up on their feet and dancing as soon as the music started.

One teacher said: “Throughout the day the children never had smiles off their faces – it was brilliant.”

Leader Matt Harrison said: “The brainstorming and planning period over many weeks for the event was long and stressful, but all the work paid off and as the day drew to a close, the sense of pride and achievement started to show.”

All the student organisers are on three-year degree courses in BSc Sports Development with Coaching at Sheffield Hallam University.

As part of their second year module they have to plan, deliver and evaluate a sports event task.