Rainbow Twirlers hope to dazzle competition

A SOUTHSIDE majorette group will be hoping to dance and twirl their way to glory when they repre-sent Ireland at a top competition in the UK this weekend.

The super talented Rainbow Twirlers will be gunning for international success when they take to the stage in Blackpool at the British baton twirling championships.

The group of over 100 schoolgirls and young women, from south inner city Dublin, have been training hard ahead of the championships at their base in the F2 Centre in  Rialto.

The Rainbow Twirlers, which is affiliated to the City of Dublin Youth Services Board has gone from  strength to strength after it was set up to provide a fun and safe community group for girls from areas around Dublin 12 and Dublin 8.

It is now the most popular group for girls in the area, with even some mothers now dancing with their kids at weekly training sessions. 

And next Thursday the girls will head off for the experience of a lifetime when they board a ferry to the UK ahead of the three-day championships, which starts in Blackpool next Friday, March 31.

They are the only group from Ireland competing in the championships, which they also took part in last year. Rainbow Twirlers volunteer Vicky Kenny said they are aiming for silverware this year.

“We are very proud of our achievements and the hard work of a lot of people connected with the club,” Ms Kenny said.

“For some children this is their only opportunity for a holiday and to experience travelling on a ship.

“The girls are a pleasure to work with and have come on immensely both in their dancing and in their confidence and friendships from being a part of Rainbow Twirlers.”

Ms Kenny said the group, who are constantly fundraising to help cover the cost of the trip, have re-ceived huge help from the local community.

She added: “We get a lot of support from local businesses in the area, who are so generous, and their support is greatly appreciated.

“We will set sail next Thursday to proudly represent Ireland and bring home the silverware.”