BALLROOM dancer Diana Martynets has been helped to take the right steps towards a professional career with a £1,000 grant from Dorset Community Foundation.
The 15-year-old from Bournemouth will use the grant from the foundation’s Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for Young and Talented to help fund trips to the Netherlands and Denmark to help hone her skills as she embarks on the next stage of her career.
After a successful career at Under 16 level the St Peter’s School pupil will be entering the far tougher arena of Under 21 competition but has set her sights on one day winning the British Ballroom Championships. She has already tasted success with her dance partner Lachlan Mcintosh in competitions all over Europe, including victory in Sweden this year, and has represented Great Britain.
To give her the chance of being competitive she wanted to attend two prestigious competitions and training camps in Amsterdam and Denmark but the cost was too much for parents Jolita and Vitaly, who already have to find the money for Diana’s coaching, dresses, shoes, travel, accommodation and entry fees.
She and her mum heard about the grant from social media and were overjoyed to learn Diana had been successful. The fund, which is also supported by Wimborne engineering company Superior Seals, awards grants of up to £1,000 towards costs that might prevent youngsters from making the most of their natural ability – such as buying kit and clothing or helping to cover the cost of competition entry fees, coaching, travel and accommodation.
“It was so good to get the grant because it means I can go to Amsterdam and Denmark,” said Diana. “It will really help give me the edge and I can’t wait to go.”
It was so good to get the grant because it means I can go to Amsterdam and Denmark. It will really help give me the edge and I can’t wait to go
Diana trains at the Nice n Easy studio in Haviland Road, Bournemouth, run by nine times British National Professional and UK Closed Professional Ballroom Champions Warren and Kristi Boyce and has been dancing since she was eight.
“I love dancing because it is glamorous and it is an escape from reality, it takes you out of yourself,” said Diana.
Her dream is to open her own studio and coach students. She is already working with younger dancers at the studio. “I want to be a role model for the younger dancers and pass on the knowledge that I’ve been given,” she said. “I’ve had so much help and I want to give something back.”
Her mum said she is proud of her tenacity and dedication. Diana trains four hours a night, three evenings a week as well as on Saturdays when she and her partner and competing. Competitions can be gruelling affairs, vying for the top spots with up to 80 other couples through as many as 30 two-minute dances crammed into a day.
“She works very hard and I’m really proud to see her out on the dance floor,” said Jolita. “It’s very hard for us because everything is so expensive but we believe in her. She can go through five pairs of shoes in a year and dresses cost around £1,000. This grant will really help her to keep on improving.”
Dorset Community Foundation chief executive Grant Robson said: “Being able to fund such a talented young dancer who literally has the world at her feet is just what this fund is all about.
“It’s because of the generosity of donors like Superior Seals that we are able to help bridge the gap between a young person’s potential and the costs they need to find to make the most of it. We wish Diana and her dance partner every success in the coming year.”
Watch: Diana (blue dress) and Lachlan in competition
