Just Dance Collective launches boys only hip hop classes in Waroona

A local Waroona dance school is using “boys only” hip hop classes to encourage more male involvement in the sport.

Waroona-based Just Dance Collective, created by sisters Amelia and Chloe Ticehurst in 2019 and managed by their mother Sarah, found boys were dropping out of classes at around eight years due to the stigma about dance.

Just Dance Collective manager Sarah Ticehurst said the school, which also has a studio in South Yunderup, wanted a way to keep boys involved.

“In our South Yunderup studio, we have about 13 boys, but we just found the Waroona boys were a bit more hesitant, especially from eight onwards,” she said.

“They got a bit shy about it, there definitely was a bit of a stigma so we’re trying to change that and get the boys to come along and give it a go.”

The class is only in its infancy, but Ms Ticehurst said she hoped to see it grow.

“We just wanted to try and make dance as inclusive as we could,” she said.

“We have several boys come to our regular classes, but some of the older ones were hesitant, so we thought why not give them the opportunity to come to learn some dance moves just with boys.

“We’re slowly building the class up, and it’s just about fun for us.”

The new trial is for boys eight and over of all skill levels and includes an obligation-free trial.

Ms Ticehurst said dance could have so many positives for boys and girls.

“It definitely gives them good self-confidence and that is something we work on,” she said.

“We have a lot of kids that are a bit hesitant to come in, it takes them a little while but by the end of the year they are performing on stage in front of 300 people.”