A handful of pupils from Oldham who are being mentored by a Googlebox star will be taking to a world-famous stage to perform in front of millions.
More than 150 talented students from Greater Manchester, Blackpool, Scotland and Lincolnshire have been given the "opportunity of a lifetime" to perform live at the half-time at the famous Miami Dolphins Hard Rock Stadium.
The dancers, five of whom come from Oldham's E-ACT Royton and Crompton school, will perform alongside official Dolphins cheerleaders - and in front of a stadium audience of 63,000 and a staggering TV audience of 20 million.
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During a rehearsal held at Kirsten's Dance Academy in Mossley on Saturday, November 11, the students were beyond excited when the TikTok star and familiar face from Channel 4's Gogglebox, Tom Malone, turned up to speak to and mentor the group.
The initiative has been brought by Oldham-based organisation, Pro-Excel, which brings young people from diverse backgrounds together in a bid to create social change through dance and sport.
Tom himself danced with Pro-Excel when he was just 14 years old and will be attending rehearsals and flying out to Miami with the students this December.
Liam O'Reilly, founder of Pro-Excel, said: "Tom Malone Junior shared his story and performed with our students which was so inspiring.
"Tom epitomises what Pro-Excel stands for - from working-class roots and facing the challenges of his autism, with his passion and self-belief he has grown into one of the most recognised and relatable dancers in the UK and we are very proud to have him on this historical journey with us.”
After months of dedicated hard work and training, the 157 pupils who come from Phyllis Davies School of Dance (Blackpool), Kirsten's Dance Academy (Mossley), Ashleigh Montador Dance Academy (Scotland), The Biz School of Performing Arts and Royton and Crompton School, will depart from Heathrow airport on December 8 to spend five days in Miami.
The itinerary for the trip includes a VIP party by the beach, with a top Miami DJ, a tour of the Hard Rock Stadium, a formal red carpet dinner the night before the performance, an intense rehearsal programme and two game-day performances, one pre-game and one at half-time.
Mr O'Reilly added: "There are so many pressures on our young people today, from social media, world news, climate change and the unprecedented impact of Covid on their emotional and social development.
"At Pro-Excel, we believe that sport has the power to change the world, and the power to inspire, so we decided to build on all our incredible achievements to date and harness the platform of sport to engage young people in a way that’s never been done before.
"Pro-Excel’s Dance Miami 23 has been a huge operational and logistical undertaking for our team.
"Now the hard work becomes reality and seeing the faces, drive and enthusiasm of our students in rehearsals is incredibly inspiring.
"This project is about empowering young people to realise how special and talented they really are.”
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