Hastings hip-hop dance group to compete in Australia

Defy Dance Group Teilyn Te Wahiti-Ioane (left), Jada Smith, Maia Williams, Kasaiah, Hazel, Carter Ah Kiong and Mischa Minogue.

Nine weeks of practice was enough for a Hastings hip-hop group to become the runner-ups in the Kids division at Battlegrounds NZ in Hamilton.

The event is a dynamic competition where crews from all over the country battle their dance moves for the chance to represent New Zealand at the world championships.

The group - known as Defy - was made up of six children, all under age 10.

Rezpect Dance Academy tutor Miami Walsh said she was extremely proud of the group's achievements and was looking forward to the venture to Australia in October.

"The group that we sent to the competition has only been together since term two," she said.

Nine weeks of training for the two minute dance routine saw the group make it as runner-up for the world champs.

The World Supremacy Battlegrounds (WSB) was the biggest and most prestigious International street dance competition in the Southern Hemisphere.

This year will see WSB into its 15th year of international competition.

Nine major division titles and more than $15,000 in cash, gold medals, trophies and gift prizes are up for grabs at the event.

Walsh said the group faced some tough competition said the children were thrilled when they learned that they were headed for Australia.

"Eighty-nine groups took part in the event in Hamilton - we were all just really happy when we heard where we had finished."

"The kids were shocked, we will be heading over in Australia."

A new routine will be created for the world champs and Walsh said they would be practicing hard.

"The kids work really hard and we're really excited to see where this leads," she said.