By Matthew Sims
At only 17 years of age, Speyside Highland Dancers member Adelaide Sage has showcased her skills on a global stage, securing sixth place in the Junior World Championship.
Held in Scotland from Thursday 24 August to Saturday 26 August, the Cowal World Highland Dancing Championships saw competitors from across the globe battling it out on centre stage, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Adelaide said she has been dancing she was three years old.
“As soon as I could walk, I was on the dance floor with my sisters and getting in their way as they practised high cuts and leaps,” she said.
“From a young age, I have loved Highland Dancing with a passion because of the competitions I could compete at all around Australia, Canada and Scotland and of course being able to follow in my sisters’ footsteps.
“My love for Highland Dancing has grown further as I have understood the Scottish history behind the dances along with it being highly athletic.”
Adelaide said it was a “great honour” to represent Australia on the global stage.
“It was exciting to compete alongside the world’s best,” she said.
“There is also nothing like the sensation of dancing the Fling to the music of a bagpiper on an outdoor stage in bonnie Scotland with all the Highland Games going on around you.
“There is a real sense of freedom and it certainly stirs the soul.”
Adelaide said it was difficult enough to qualify in the top 20, let alone securing sixth place.
“I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to achieve this placing in my dancing career,” she said.
“Special thanks to my amazing coach and dance teacher Cathy Rees, the support of friends, the Mentone Girls Grammar School community, my personal osteopath, and my awesome family who have all been a part of this amazing dance journey.
“Next year, I plan to continue competing at a national level throughout my VCE year and in two years’ time, I plan to return to Scotland and compete once again on the world stage, representing Australia in the Adult World Championships.”
Adelaide’s Training partner and life-long friend Cyan MacLeod was also excited to see Adelaide achieve sixth place.
“Highland dancing is the thing I am most passionate about where I put my everything into and holds a special place in my heart,” she said.
“I love highland dancing to this day as I am continuously challenging myself to be the best I can be, always working to achieve my goals and am able to do this along side some very special people.
“I love watching Adelaide dance and seeing her improve, watching her on the World Championship stage was amazing and I am so proud of her achievement.”
MacLeod said she was looking forward to competing in the upcoming Champions of Champions in Melbourne, the Canadian Championships, the American Championships and the World Championships.
“Highland dancing is a beautiful part of Scottish culture that has been brought to Australia,” she said.
“I feel it is special as so many people can come together from all parts of the world and share the experience of a Highland Games, a championship, a fling or a ceilidh.
“Highland dancing is a very strong form of dancing and makes you feel excited and powerful.”
Ms Rees said she was “really excited” to see where Adelaide and Cyan’s career would go over the coming years.
