STREET dancers have made history by scooping twelve trophies in a national dance competition.

Just a year after the school opened its doors in 2018, students at the Academy of Street Dance came first at the UK Street Dance Challenge held at the Oasis leisure Centre in Swindon.

Co-founder of the academy Richard Whyburd-Lane said: “This was historic first for any street dance school from Swindon and something the coaches, parents and students are proud to achieve for their local town.”

The 11 dancers from the academy who took part in the competition have all been qualified for national finals with first places.

Richard said: “We are happy to be putting Swindon on the map. The competition has thousands of competitors from all over the UK trying to qualify for the world finals.

“Team choreography, solos and duos are all categories that everyone battles or performs in. We made first place at the challenge in all categories.

“To be one of a few teams to make first place out of the whole country is an awesome accomplishment. “

The academy provides a range of street dance classes for all ages and abilities including complete beginners. Founders Richard and Megs O’Driscoll have over 25 years of coaching and dance experience between them two.

“Academy of Street Dance continues to make an amazing impact in the Swindon community and on its young people,” said Richard.

“It has achieved so much in its first year which is celebrated and commended by parents and students alike across Swindon.”

The academy is teaching a curriculum of traditional street dance brought over from America which includes krumping, breaking, robotics, locking and house.

The students are all aged between three to 20 and are divided into three dance groups – Lil Boppers, Junior Groovers and Teens.

Richard added: “The children have a strong sense of community and support each other wholeheartedly in keeping with the AOS ethos.

“The dedicated coaches specialise in authentic Street dance styles and have a passion for encouraging and empowering their students with self confidence and self belief”

The finals will take place in Birmingham next July.

For further information or to join the school visit: www.academyofstreetdance.com

The school is currently running classes in New College, Haydon Leisure Centre, Croft Sports Centre in Old Town, and Western Community Centre in Cheney Manor and has school in Cirencester.