The mum of a talented Bellsmyre dancer who took home two medals at the Dance World Cup in Spain has said they are already saving for next year’s event.
Danielle O’Kane and daughter Ayla Stewart, 11, travelled to San Sebastian in Spain earlier this month with Ayla representing the McKechnie School Of Dance in Falkirk.
Ayla and her mum regularly travel from the family’s Bellsmyre home to Falkirk for classes and rehearsals, with Ayla’s dedication rewarded on the biggest of stages as she scooped silver and bronze in her two group dances.
And mum Danielle admitted it was an experience her daughter relished.
She said: “Everybody was on such a high and Ayla getting a medal in both dances was quite amazing for her.
“I didn’t get to see her from when she went into the changing room. She said she was a bit nervous for her first dance, but once she got onto the stage then that was it. She totally took it in her stride and embraced it all.
“I felt super proud and so excited watching her up on the stage. I just couldn’t stop screaming and cheering! I was absolutely loving it.”
After seeing her plans to compete at world level halted by the pandemic, Ayla is now determined to return to the main stage - having been dancing since she could stand up.
Danielle added: “The first thing Ayla said afterwards was that she wanted to do it again.
“I wasn’t sure if we’d go next year. But she is determined to get into more dances and work hard for it. So we’ve started saving up already.”
And despite the pressures of competition, Danielle added that there was still an opportunity for some mother/daughter time.
“We couldn’t get a direct flight so we had to fly to London then on to Spain, there were delayed flights and all sorts. But it was a great bonding time for us after all the rushing about, the stress and the rehearsals.
“We got some nice chilled time too and even got to the beach one day which was absolutely lovely.”
