During Dance Week the Boys Grammar School was very lucky to be visited by Craig Bull from Hayesbrook and his dance group – Kick-Start

Kick-Start Dance Club is The Hayesbrook School’s first ever opportunity for extra curricular dance. It has been created as a junior company to the all-male Kick-Start Dance Company based in Brighton of which the school’s very own Mr Bull was part of for three years. The club and company aims to literally ‘kick start’ boys’ dance by promoting dance as a positive activity for boys to participate in. The type of dance varies from contemporary to street and through themes such as Star Wars and Basketball it is hoped pupils will be inspired, challenged and enthused. It is hoped that by participating in this highly athletic and enjoyable activity, any reservations boys might have about dancing will simply fall away.

Craig and his dance group ran two workshops, one for Y10 students and one for Y8 students.

The boys entered the hall uncertain of what to expect. They were soon left speechless as Kick-Start performed their dance routine, Hoodies. Craig then discussed all the positive aspects of male dance with the group.

After this they were shown a series of jumps and throws and how to do these safely. The boys worked with the Kick-Start group while they practised these themselves. As you can imagine, this caught their interest straight away and they eagerly threw their friends around as well as jumping over them.

The workshop then moved onto balances and the boys were taught how to make a strong foundation so that they could safely take their friend’s weight without the balance collapsing.

For the final activity, Craig taught the boys a simple dance routine and, although a little nervous, the whole group was engaged.

At the end of the session all of the boys had had a good workout and had their reservations and misconceptions about male dance had been suitably challenged.

Many thanks to Craig Bull and Kick-Start for an excellent workshop taught with energy and enthusiasm.

Tim Luck
SSCO – Tunbridge Wells School Sports Partnership