What started as an entry-level competition allowing novice dancers the opportunity to take to the stage has evolved into a must-attend competition for hip-hop dancers around the country.
Taking place at Mercury Baypark Arena this June, Project is now one of New Zealand’s largest and most respected street dance competitions. The event allows young people from Tauranga, Western Bay and throughout the country to showcase their creative expression in an environment encouraging participation and enjoyment.
Sarah Martin started this dance competition fifteen years ago while teaching at Te Puke High School and learning the school’s dance crew lacked the confidence to enter the national competition. With no entry-level competition to dance in front of large audiences or be on a professional stage, Sarah saw a gap in the local dance space that needed filling.
Project now allows dancers to gain experience and is known as a professional quality event that nurtures the development of dancers, locally and from afar.
Dancers, team choreographers, managers, families, friends and dance enthusiasts will flock to Tauranga and Mount Maunganui over King’s Birthday long weekend, despite this not being a qualifying event.
“Local funders know that Project nurtures up-and-coming dancers through our competition process, which can be daunting for many. Their support allows dancers the chance to dance in front of a large crowd, which has extremely positive flow-on effects,” says Sarah, “with improvements in their behaviour and social interactions at school and in the community.”
2024 is the competition’s 15th year, which has grown from hosting nine crews and 70 dancers at Baycourt in 2010, to 2023 where 73 crews and over 760 dancers congregated at Mercury Baypark Stadium to perform in front of 2,100 spectators.
The Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund granted Project $35,000 for expenses associated with the competition.
The fund is a partnership between local funders Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, TECT, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council with the core purpose of supporting community-led events and those that encourage participation for free or at low-cost.
Project is excited to welcome back dancers for another weekend of positive and heartfelt experiences to show off incredible talent, offer free workshops and show the young dancers of our region and the country, the pathways of dance.
Event Details:
Project Youth Hip Hop Dance Competition
1st and 2nd June 2024
Mercury Baypark Arena
More information available on entering Project or attending the competition are available HERE.
Main image – Mini Squad 2023
