Appeal to help Borders dancers fly the flag for Scotland
Last updated 30th Jun 2026
Scotland's hopes of progressing in the football World Cup may have ended at the weekend, but a talented group of young dancers from our region are preparing to fly the Saltire on the international stage.
Members of Southside Dance Company (SSDC), made up of dancers from the Scottish Borders and south Edinburgh, have qualified for the Global Dance Open Finals in San Sebastián, Spain.
The competition, which runs from July 14th to 19th, is described as one of the fastest-growing international dance events in the world, bringing together dancers from across the globe.
The team has qualified with an impressive 26 routines and will compete on the opening day of the finals, representing Team Scotland.
Celebrating the achievement, the dance school said: "We couldn't be prouder. They have qualified with 26 dances and will be competing in the Global Dance Open Finals in Spain later this year. Now the hard work begins."
The dancers are no strangers to success, having recently been crowned Destination Dance International Final Junior Showdown Champions.
The company described the victory as a moment they "will never get over", adding they were "so proud of every single dancer" after seeing months of hard work rewarded on one of the biggest stages in UK dance.
With the countdown to Spain now underway, Southside Dance Company has launched an appeal – here - to help cover the cost of the trip.
As well as £500 from the Galashiels-based Rowan Boland Trust, the dancers have also received the same amount from the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Scottish Borders, something the company says will make a real difference to families facing the significant costs of international competition.
In a statement, it added: "Opportunities like the Global Dance Open are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, but they come with significant costs. Donations such as this help ease some of that financial pressure while allowing our dancers to focus on what they do best."
The group also thanked the local community for backing their journey, saying support from organisations across the Borders is helping make their dream of competing on the world stage a reality.
While Scotland's football campaign may be over, for the young dancers the chance to represent their country in Spain is just beginning.
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