Waipā Schools dance their way to top rankings at Jump Jam competition

Te Awamutu Intermediate's Riverboat Queen's team came first in the North Island competition and was ranked second across New Zealand with their performance to Proud Mary. Photo / Supplied

A Te Awamutu Intermediate Competition Jump Jam team has danced their way to being ranked number one in the North Island and second across the entire country.

The Riverboat Queens team was made up of 16 girls and they performed to the song Proud Mary at the National Jump Jam competition in Tauranga on November 21 at Bethlehem College in the Xtreme section.

They also received awards for Distinction in Performance and Technical Execution.

"Their routine required the girls to sing and chant throughout the high energy performance – something that requires excellent fitness levels," says Te Awamutu Intermediate teacher and coach Amanda Bayley.

"We could not be prouder of these girls."

The win is the school's biggest achievement yet from the competition that they have been going to for many years.

The team had been rehearsing for the competition since May, once or twice a week in the mornings before school started.

A Year 11 Te Awamutu College student, Brylee-Ella Gibbs, also helped to coach the team and went on to receive an Excellence as a Student Coach award.

The Puahue Warriors came second in the Advanced Section and received an Excellence Award for their costumes. Photo / Leah Hoskins

Brylee-Ella has competed in Jump Jam competitions since she was a student at Puahue School, performed in both her years at Te Awamutu Intermediate, then has assisted with the coaching for the past three years.

Puahue School, a regular at the competition, had two teams competing this year in the Advance Section for their respective ages.

The senior team, Puahue Warriors, came second at the North Island competition with their performance to the song Can't Hold Us by Macklemore.

"This year the students used 'weapons' and literally had blood, sweat, tears and injuries whilst learning this routine. The team has worked so incredibly hard not only to perfect their routine but to provide the judges with something different and creative," says Puahue School teacher and coach Julie Choppin.

The Puahue School junior Jump Jam team performed to Choco-latte. Photo Kim Huggett

They also received awards for Excellence in Creativity, Costumes and Presentation and Distinction in Technical Execution.

The Puahue School junior team performed to Choco-latte and placed fifth in the Year 4 Advanced category.