School crews prepare for big breakin' battle

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Two primary school crews are warming up for a big breakin' battle - the first inter-school breakdancing competition.

St Martin Mavericks are taking on the St John Jammerz next Thursday with both busting some moves for the title of Best Primary School Breakdance Crew 2016.

Total Mayhem's Scott Mills has had the two young crews in training for the big competition which takes place at St Martin's School on 8 December, teaching them the five elements of Breakin' - "Top Rock", "Go Downs", "Floorwork", "Freezes" and "Power Moves" 

Scott said: "If school's play football and netball against each other, why can't they have a Breakdance Battle?

"This is history in the making and just the start and I hope other schools will want to experience and get involved with this in the future. My 'Holy Grail' would be to have an Island Breakdance knock-out Event (Eastside V Westside) or League format, with crews from all primary schools Breakin' for the title of Best Crew in Jersey in 2017. If not next year, sometime in the future...but it will happen!"

The two crews have only been learning for the past four weeks, but both are confident they've got what it takes to win!

(Pictured St Martin Mavericks)

One of the St Martin Marverick's, Archie a.k.a BBoy Freshhh said:  "I like Breakdance because it's fun and I enjoy doing it, but some of the moves are hard. I've been practising as much as I can. My favourite move is Ninja.

"I think we can beat the St John's crew but there's still a lot of hard work and practise to do."

(Pictured: St John Jammerz)

Pedro, a.k.a Bboy Skilzzz, from the St John Jammerz crew said he's been doing a lot of practise at home to get his moves right ahead of the big competition.

He said: "I like Breakdance because it's fun and energetic. My favourite move is Apache."

Bboy Skilzzz says he's got "no doubt" his crew are going to beat the Mavericks!

Scott started learning Breakdance in Nottingham in 2009 and returned to the Island to pass on his knowledge and skills to the next generation of Hip-Hoppers. He's been running workshops in schools since 2010 and has taught his moves to over 2,500 pupils in schools, youth clubs and other youth based organisations. Some have even made the jump to his "Junior crew" and have been performing with him around the Island.

He says he always strives to bring something different to the dance floor to keep things fresh.

He said: "I'd really like to thank the two Headteachers, Trudie De La Haye at St John and Jenny Pryke at St Martin and all the parents for allowing this to happen. Without their continued support, I wouldn't be a step closer to my Holy Grail!"

The competition kicks off at 15:45 in St Martin's School hall.

The winning crew will have a trophy presented to them in their school assembly early next term.