Global MADness

A decision by a Marlborough hip-hop dance combination to step up and compete in the country’s top division has earned them a trip to Prague and a chance to compete against the world’s best.

Marlborough Academy of Dance’s 18-member ‘Mega MADness’ crew placed fifth during their first time competing in world qualifications, while ‘The MAD Duo’ of Immy Giles and Sam Marfell finished third at the Hip Hop Unite National Championships, hosted in Lower Hutt at the end of June.

Their performances were judged highly enough for both Marlborough entries to qualify to dance at the Hip Hop Unite World Championships in the Czech capital from October 23-25.

Solo hip-hop dancer Icey Bradley-Kiwi also qualified for the ADC Championships in September, before joining Immy and Sam in the 18-strong crew entry.

“In the past, we’ve entered the Future Champion division at Hip Hop Unite for the crews because we weren’t quite ready to go into world categories”, said Academy Director of Hip Hop, Fleur Hebberd.

“This year, we thought we’ll give it a go, but making the top five to qualify was always going to be a very big ask, which we achieved with thanks to all the girls and their amazing fundraising mums.

“When you get announced, the whole crew runs onto the stage with tears, shock, happiness and excitement, because [it is] our first time in the world category, a big jump up in skill, and our biggest goal is achieved,” describes MADness crew member Mary Hedgman.

“Sportsmanship in our crew is unreal, because we want to win but we first focus on the fun of it all and are so supportive of each other. The amount of work Fleur puts in is actually crazy - the fundraising, trainings, and camp mother duties when we go away,” says Mary.

“Usually after Hip Hop Unite, we have smaller comps which we’ll still attend but doing our best for Prague is definitely keeping the motivation up and getting us really excited for something this big,” adds Immy.

With an extra championship competition to tackle on her own, Icey Bradley-Kiwi is “proud to be going, and grateful for the opportunities.

“I love dancing in both solo and crews – with solo’s the spotlight is all on you but there’s weight off your chest as you can improvise out of a mistake,  while with crew dances, you’re dancing with your girls, but mistakes stand out.

“It will be busy few months ahead with training and hard work to come, but also plenty of passion and enjoyment”.

While her charges will keep their fingers crossed for top results on the world stage, Fleur says that the feel and experience of attending a world champs will alone be unforgettable for the dancers.

“To be fair, we will train hard and do our best, but just going is the achievement and we’ll have plenty of fun along the way”, she says.

“You can’t be an individual in the crews, so we’re making sure that everyone’s energy and facial expressions match as much as dance moves do, which takes a lot of breaking down - going set by set, section by section.

“There’s not huge expectations, but there’s plenty of excitement and fundraising plans because just to have the girls experience a world championships is absolutely awesome”.

Mega MADness: Ruby Cook, Immy Giles, Sam Marfell, Hailey Crafar, Dayna Bowler, Bonnie Larrington, Liliana Stebbings, Harriet Cornelius, Bella Le Compte, Rayne Holdaway, Icey Bradley-Kiwi, Ellie MacDonald, Ella Brown, Peyton Bull, Orla Graham, Rylah Somerville, Mary Hedgman, Amelia Campbell.
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