We have been exchanging students with Tanzstudio CO-LEG from our Twin Town Euskirchen, Germany since 2011 –  together with Festival of Sport organised by the Twinning Committee at the Council and Basingstoke’s Sports.  This was the 27th exchange of its kind so we are still relatively new to this 🙂

This year, Tanzstudio CO-LEG sent over 5 dancers and their chaperone Laura to work with our students led by Dan Keen as part of the annual Festival of Sport; some of those students went out there last year and were re-connecting with their Twin Hosts.

Over 150 German sportsmen and women arrived in Basingstoke to be hosted by sports clubs and families for the 27th Festival of Sport. Events were held at our own Basingstoke Academy of Dancing and also Bishop Challoner, Vyne & St Mary’s Schools, Totally Tennis, Summit & AWE Judo, Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletics plus Sherborne St John Junior Football.

The whole point is to socialise and make friends, so not only did they work as a team to put a dance piece together on the Friday to perform Saturday at both World Party in the Park and the Festival of Sport Party, but they also went bowling, swimming and picnicking.

Results for the informal competition that takes place every year were a draw for Basingstoke Academy of Dancing, as we danced at the Party together as one, and wins for Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletic Club, St Marys School Rounders team, Challoner School Tennis, Sherborne St John U11 & U14 Football, Summit & AWE Judo and Totally Tennis. Euskirchen beat Vyne School at Rounders whilst the Euskirchen Civic Party won their event against the Basingstoke Mayor’s team. This meant that Basingstoke won 22-7 and retained the trophy which they plan to defend in Germany in June 2020. Overall the score after 27 years of events is Basingstoke have won 12, Euskirchen have won 12 and their have been 3 draws !

A couple of weekends ago we were performing as guests at CO-LEG’s 10th anniversary concert in Euskirchen and we look forward to returning again next year as part of the 2020 Festival of Sport

Thanks to Helen and Connie for helping run this project and Dan for his day of Choreography !