Christchurch Hip Hop Crew Win Silver at World Championships

Christchurch Hip Hop Crew Win Silver at World Championships

New Zealand's Polaroids dance crew from Zion Studios in Christchurch beat teams from over 16 countries to place second in the Adult Division of the 2015 Hip-Hop Unite World Championships. Polaroids are New Zealand’s only representatives, and the first open grade dance crew chosen from the South Island.

"The team are ecstatic with second place," says Finance Manager Barbara Watson. "They haven't been able to say much more due to the time difference and the lack of Wi-Fi on Martinique, but they are blown away with this result. These guys have been training nearly every day, and fundraising in their spare time in-between their regular jobs. It’s a massive achievement.”

"When Polaroids won the national championship in July, Head Judge Tanya Houpt said 'We only select a crew if we truly believe they have a real chance to take it out.' Well they really took it up a notch, and have shown what a suburban Kiwi dance school can do," says Barbara.

“Representing New Zealand, and winning on the world stage has given the younger dancers at Zion something to look up to. Regardless of their circumstance, they now know that with perseverance and teamwork they can become world champions too,” says Barbara Watson.

Zion Studios is a Papanui dance school that aims to make dance as accessible to as many local youth as possible. Many of the senior “Polaroids” dance crew donate their time, teaching the beginner and intermediate classes to help keep costs low.

“There’s much more to Zion than dance,” says Studio Manager Carissa Crow. “The emphasis is really on building respect and community. We provide a safe environment and means for young people to express themselves. We really talk and engage with the people we teach, and have seen lives turned around as a result.”

ENDS

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