Young star from South Shields wins two national titles

A young performer from South Tyneside has been earmarked as a star of the future after winning two national titles.
Iyla Scroggins won both the baby cabaret and baby non-cabaret events.Iyla Scroggins won both the baby cabaret and baby non-cabaret events.
Iyla Scroggins won both the baby cabaret and baby non-cabaret events.

Iyla Scroggins, five, from South Shields, travelled with her family to Fleetwood, Lancashire, to take part in the British Championships, organised by Theatre Dance Council International.

And she returned with medals for winning both the baby cabaret and baby non-cabaret events.

Iyla Scroggins won both the baby cabaret and baby non-cabaret events.Iyla Scroggins won both the baby cabaret and baby non-cabaret events.
Iyla Scroggins won both the baby cabaret and baby non-cabaret events.
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Iyla’s parents Marie, 35, and Leepaul, 34 – who captains South Shields FC – watched with pride as their daughter stole the show.

Marie said: “Iyla just loves performing, and is always involved in festivals all over the place.

“This was the big one of the year for her, though, because there were lots of other children taking part and she had been selected to do it.

“We’re absolutely over the moon for her that she managed to win.

Iyla Scroggins, centre, with her dance teachers Suzanne Stuart, left, and Rachael McMahon.Iyla Scroggins, centre, with her dance teachers Suzanne Stuart, left, and Rachael McMahon.
Iyla Scroggins, centre, with her dance teachers Suzanne Stuart, left, and Rachael McMahon.
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“She has been on cloud nine since it happened, and we all have.”

Iyla is a big sister to Frankie, aged 19 weeks, and attends St Bede’s RC Primary and Nursery School.

She also attends Art Of Dance and Fitness, on Commercial Road, South Shields, five times a week, practicing dancing, singing and drama.

Her dance teacher, Suzanne Stuart, has been credited by Marie for helping to guide Iyla over the last three years.

Iyla Scroggins won both the baby cabaret and baby non-cabaret events.Iyla Scroggins won both the baby cabaret and baby non-cabaret events.
Iyla Scroggins won both the baby cabaret and baby non-cabaret events.
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She added: “The dance studio is like our second home now. We might as well just move our beds there!

“She was two when she started and started doing competitions when she was three.

“She just took to it straightaway and loves it so much. Before we knew it, we were at the dance studio almost every day.

“She always says that she wants to be a dance teacher like Suzanne, because she has been so good with her.”

Iyla Scroggins, centre, with her dance teachers Suzanne Stuart, left, and Rachael McMahon.Iyla Scroggins, centre, with her dance teachers Suzanne Stuart, left, and Rachael McMahon.
Iyla Scroggins, centre, with her dance teachers Suzanne Stuart, left, and Rachael McMahon.
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This was the first British Championship Iyla had taken part in, but as Marie explains, there were more nerves on the sidelines than on the dancefloor.

She said: “The nerves for us when she’s performing in something like that are horrendous.

“I think the parents stress out more than the children taking part, because we know how much it means to them.

“She just enjoyed being up there on the stage, though, and we couldn’t be prouder of her and happier for her.”