Young Achiever: Gate's U17s song and dance group

THE Guernsey Academy of Theatrical Education’s U17s song and dance group have been nominated for the Young Achiever of the Year award, sponsored by St Pierre Park.

It comes after the team won gold at this year’s Dance World Cup in Spain with their piece Trip A Little Light Fantastic.

Nominator Anna Lisa Detassis said: ‘This group of young dancers has competed among world-class teams from all over the world. Unlike the UK and other countries where dancers are also picked among many schools all over their territory, this group was selected from among the students of one school only.

‘The performance was stunning and they deserved a gold medal. They have certainly made Guernsey proud and put Guernsey on the world map once again.’

Gate founders Catherine and Brian Webster said: ‘We are just incredibly proud.

‘The lead-up to the event saw the team work so hard – they really wanted to put Guernsey on the map for dance on the international stage.

‘When the Gate seniors won their gold medal, the pride we all felt to have our national anthem played in an auditorium of 1,600 was incredible and the chairman of the Dance World Cup could not believe the achievement from such a tiny island.