We are SO excited to be heading to the ISTD Nationals with Team GADA!

Nationals is such a special weekend and a huge achievement for every dancer who has qualified. More than anything, we want the weekend to be full of amazing memories, lots of support for one another and, of course, plenty of GADA energy!

Please read through all of the information below before the weekend.

Firstly Monday 21st September a group professional photoshoot will take place at GADA studios 6pm-8pm. Photos will be available to purchase at a very small cost to cover the photographer. Please pack them with GADA tracksuits, all outfits (Team, Solo, Street Crew) and for those Qualified (Set Dance, Rock & Roll, Pairs).

Friday Evening – Pizza Express Woking

Most of us will be staying in the Woking area on Friday evening.

We will be meeting at Pizza Express Woking from approximately 6:30–7:00pm. Everyone will be eating on their own individual tables with their families, so hopefully you have now booked your table.

During the evening, the children will receive their special GADA Nationals good luck cards.

Some children will also find out in their card that they have been chosen to carry the GADA banner during Sunday’s banner parade!

After dinner, we recommend getting back to your hotels, having a good night’s sleep (if you don’t get kept up all night) and getting ready for a very busy weekend!

Saturday – Day One

Saturday’s events include:

• Grading

• Teams

• Disco Solo

• Street Solo

• Street Crews

Most of our dancers are competing as part of both a GADA team and/or street crew, and everyone attending will compete in Disco Solo.

Some dancers completed their grading examinations before joining GADA and therefore have qualified to compete in the Grading event. If you haven’t competed in grading this year, this is something we hope lots more of our dancers will be working towards for next year’s Nationals!

If you qualified for Street Solo, you will also compete in this event on Saturday.

Saturday Hair

Hair must be worn exactly as requested for your team- then changed for street crews.

U12 Team- First edition: Slicked back Bun, White Scrunchie. (I’m checking with the ISTD Re Jazz Shoes & Leg warmers)

U16 Team- Unleashed: Slicked Back Bun. (No Scrunchie)

U8 Crew- Inside: Space Buns & Coloured Bows

U12 Crew- Smooth Criminals: Backcombed Low Pony tail (so it sits under hat)

U16 Crew- Nova: Small Slicked Back Bun. (Trying to look like Men)

Please arrive completely competition-ready and make sure you have everything you need for the day.

Saturday Evening

Saturday evening is deliberately going to be very relaxed!

We recommend grabbing an easy/fast-food dinner (together or apart), heading back to your own hotels and getting everything organised for Sunday.

Please make sure the children eat properly, drink plenty and get a good night’s sleep – Sunday is another big day!

Sunday – Day Two

Sunday’s events include:

• Set Dance – if you have qualified

• Rock & Roll – if you have qualified

• Disco Pairs – if you are attending and have a partner competing on the day

Banner Parade

Everyone must have their blue GADA tracksuit for the group photo. Everyone must have their blue GADA tracksuit for the group photo.

Sunday will begin with the School photo of all dancers on the stairs & then all school warm up.

PLEASE DONT BE LATE.

Then the banner parade, celebration & rave.

Our chosen GADA banner carriers will have been told in their good luck cards on Friday evening, so keep an eye out!

Sunday Hair

Hair can be worn however you would like on Sunday, as long as it is neat, tidy and competition-ready, don’t arrive without hair done.

GADA Expectations at Nationals

Nationals is about so much more than results.

We want Team GADA to be exactly what we always are – supportive, loud, positive and proud of each other!

Please encourage the children (and parents) to:

• Clap and cheer for their teammates

• Celebrate each other’s achievements

• Support our dancers whether they win, place, make a final or simply go out and give it their absolute best

• Be gracious and supportive towards dancers & teachers from other schools

• Keep the GADA energy going throughout the weekend!

We want every child to leave Nationals feeling like they have been part of something really special.

Finals, Presentations & Photos

If your child makes a final and receives a placing/trophy, please do not let them get changed straight afterwards.

We will want to get photos of our finalists and trophy winners together, so they need to remain in their competition outfits until we have confirmed that photos are finished.

This applies on both Saturday and Sunday.

During the Competition

Please listen carefully throughout the day for your child’s competition number and events.

Nationals can be incredibly busy, so please try to avoid disappearing to the toilet, café etc. when your child’s event is approaching!

We will run a GADA warm-up at the beginning of the day, but dancers should continue to keep themselves warm and stretched throughout the competition, its the parents responsibility to keep their child stretched to avoid injuries, they perform their best when they feel ready.

Please make sure your child:

• Has a good breakfast before arriving

• Brings plenty of water

• Has enough food/snacks to keep their energy up

• Stays hydrated throughout the day

• Warms up and stretches properly

• Has everything they need for their events

Most Importantly… Enjoy It!

Qualifying for Nationals is an achievement in itself.

We are incredibly proud of every GADA dancer who has qualified and cannot wait to watch you all take to the floor.

Celebrate the wins, support each other through the nerves, cheer as loudly as you can and enjoy being part of Team GADA.

Let’s make it a Nationals weekend to remember!

Good luck Team GADA!