DANZ QUARTERLY Issue 18
January, February, March 2010
Waitakere Dancing to the tune of the “Odd Couple”
by Rochelle Young
Te Waka ki Mua Move It Waitakere (Active Waitakere) is a plan developed to get more people more active, more often. It looks at how to get our city to “Move It” in a number of ways, from participating in sport, to walking during your lunch break, to gardening or dancing.
As part of their collaboration agreement with Waitakere City Council, Active Waitakere has a close working relationship with Waitakere’s Health and Wellbeing Ambassador, Beatrice Faumuina. Whilst working together in the promotion of physical activity initiatives within the region, a discussion around the lack of social dance options for the wider community took place. The idea to offer Ballroom and Latin dance options was discussed, hence the “Odd Couple” from the 2006 Series of Dancing with the Stars, Beatrice and her dance partner Brian Jones were reunited.
The aim of this initiative, jointly delivered to the Waitakere community by Beatrice and Brian as well as the Active Waitakere team of Chade Julie, community broker, and Rochelle Young, Active Waitakere coordinator, is to get the wider community moving in a way that is fun, social as well as a challenging introduction to social ballroom dance.
The ten week programme began in September. The community’s response was overwhelming. Beatrice is an important role model within the Waitakere community. She is often at many community events in her role as the Health and Wellbeing Ambassador to the Waitakere community. Brian Jones delivers a professional class and provides comic relief to all.
The classes were held at the Kelston Community Centre and attracted a diverse range of people from youth to seniors - including an 82 year old lady who had never danced before! What made this initiative special was Active Waitakere’s funding of this pilot initiative, free for the community.
The success of the project has been overwhelming; classes averaged 80 people per class and over 400 enquiries were received about this class or further classes. There are plans to keep the community excited about dance and there is a hope to work with existing dance schools, and organisers are looking for prospective partners.
Active Waitakere is currently seeking funding to continue the initiative, providing social Ballroom and Latin dance skills to the community, delivered by the wonderful duo – The Odd Couple. Watch out for further events in 2010.
DANZ response: In recent times DANZ has had enquiries from dance people wanting to know how they might get involved with recreation or health orientated projects with Regional Sports Trusts, who are supported through SPARC.
This model is a good example and includes a number of key messages for success – the project links well with the local community and utilises partners and opportunities. It has quality, is delivered with humour and clearly is fun and motivating for the participants.
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