A Dunedin dance troupe is getting ready to take on the world after qualifying at a recent national competition.
Vuelta Dance is about to start fundraising to make it to the World Latin Dance Cup, to be held in Miami, the United States, from December 11.
The troupe, made up of five women from Dunedin and one from Christchurch, qualified for the right to compete after coming "a very, very close second'' at the New Zealand World Latin Dance Cup, held in Christchurch from March 17 to 20.
"We are very excited,'' coach and choreographer Rebecca Connaughton said.
"We've been working towards this particular goal since halfway through last year.''
The troupe won a national competition last year and got feedback from a professional dancer, who said its routine was good enough for the world championships.
Mrs Connaughton said after that, troupe members began to think they could do it.
In Miami, the dancers would be up against others from many countries, including the United States, Chile, Australia, Turkey and Greece.
"It's very global.''
The troupe, which trained for two hours twice a week, and much more before competitions, had to raise funds before it could go.
Fellow coach and choreographer Lucy MacVicar said that would involve everything from quiz nights and raffles to applying for grants and seeking sponsorship from companies "because it's very expensive to get there''.
Vuelta Dance, with women who ranged in age from 22 to 40, was a "ladies shines'' team, meaning there was no partner dancing.
"Salsa's addictive'', Mrs Connaughton said.
"It changes the way you feel; also it's fitness, but it's friendship.
"We've become really good friends.''
As well as raising funds, the troupe would "keep polishing our routine and perfecting it, and getting it the best we can possibly get it''.
