Two Cowichan Valley dancers are on the fundraising trail after having been chosen to compete in Portugal.

MaryAnn Millard, one of the mothers, is enthusiastic about the opportunity for her daughter, Brittany Behan-Millard, and Mara Morris. Both girls dance for Adagé Studios in Duncan.

“One of the greatest challenges in our modern society is depressed and disengaged youth,” she said, describing the girls’ story as “very inspirational for our youth. They are amazing role models.”

In 2018 the Dance World Cup Finals were held in Spain with 46 nations represented by 5,850 dancers.

“These numbers are expected to grow for the finals to be held in Braga, Portugal in June 2019. and we have two dancers from the Cowichan Valley who have been selected to compete on this international level,” she said. “This small community has grown international level dancers.”

That has really been proven true this year with Taryn Neligan from Celtic Rhythm Dancers invited to take part in a huge international tattoo in Switzerland, and more recently, Vance Driver earning a spot on the team representing North America at the Street Dancing World Cup in China.

Brittany Behan-Millard and Mara Morris from Adage’ Dance studio have been selected by World Performers Canada to represent Canada at the Dance World Cup Finals 2019.

“This is an incredible honour for the girls and the opportunity of a lifetime. These girls spend on average more than 40 hours per week training and are extremely dedicated and have represented the Cowichan Valley provincially and now internationally,” Millard said.

“Brittany and Mara are fundraising as a team to pay for the cost of travelling and competing in Portugal. As the first part of their fundraising effort they are compiling sponsorship packages to bring in donations. The girls will have an online campaign that will also be followed by the youth and parents. The time frame would be December to May with competition starting June 28.”