Rebecca Foyle, 12, is part of Masters of Motion, the top under-14 street dance crew in Britain that will soon be starring in the sequel to 'Street Dance 3D'. We catch up with her (right) to talk training, championships and controlling Type 1
How did you get into
street dancing?
I started dancing when I was 4 years old, at a classical dance school where I went to tap and ballet classes. As I got a little older, I began modern, gym and jazz classes, and then when I was 8 a new dance teacher at the school taught us street dance. This is when I realised it was my passion. By the time I was 9, I’d joined Karizma Urban Dance School, but I still kept up the classical dancing as well.
When were you diagnosed with diabetes and
what impact did this have on your dancing?
I was diagnosed with Type 1 when I was 5, so I can't really remember not having diabetes. But I do remember being thirsty all the time and my mum caught me drinking from the bathroom tap. After I was diagnosed, my mum would test me before and after dance classes, so she knew what effect the exercise was having on me. I would have a small snack before the lesson, and my mum made sure the dance teacher knew what to do in the event I was to go low in her class.
How do you treat your diabetes?
I have daily injections – NovoMix 30 in the morning, NovoRapid with my tea and Levemir in the evening. I test my blood regularly and always have plenty of snacks on me in case I go low. More often than not, I go straight to dancing after my tea. After an hour’s exercise I have a small chocolate bar, and once I’ve finished exercising I always test before I go home, to make sure I haven’t gone low. If I’m in a competition or show I normally have two to three jellies just before I dance. I also test more frequently throughout the day to make sure I keep my levels at a good balance.
Is it difficult managing your diabetes while doing so much exercise?
It sometimes means I have to test more frequently, which isn't very good, but because I do so much exercise it also means I can have lots of sweet treats. I often have to reduce the units of insulin I’m injecting if I’ve worked particularly hard, and I have to be careful at night as it can catch up with me and I can go low in my sleep. A good bedtime snack is really important.
How did Masters of Motion (MOM) begin and what have you achieved so far?
Our dance teacher and choreographer, Sian Taylor, formed MOM at the end of 2008. We are 10 children, eight girls and two boys, aged 9–14 years. We’ve taken part in lots of street dance competitions across the country and are ranked the number one street dance/hip hop team in Essex and the South of England. We’re also the top under-14 street dance/hip hop crew in Britain, and in July last year we were crowned the overall Street Dance XXL UK Champions 2010/11. We just couldn’t believe it! A non-adult crew has never won this title before, and it’s amazing to follow in the footsteps of Flawless and Diversity [both from 'Britain’s Got Talent' 2009] who have won it previously.
How did you get into MOM?
When the group was formed. I worked hard and was noticed by Sian, who was one of my first teachers and knew my diabetes had never stopped me from dancing. I never missed classes or had to sit out, as my diabetes is well controlled.
How often do you train?
I practise street dance for two hours on a Wednesday evening and then two and a half hours on a Sunday morning. If there is a show or we have a performance, extra rehearsals are called. Each week I also do gym, modern and tap for one hour each, ballet for two hours and jazz for half an hour. And at school I train for the high jump and sprint.
How are you preparing for
the 2011 World Street Dance Championships in Blackpool this August?
We’ve just finished training for our new routine and so now it’s just practise, practise, practise! I'll also be participating in the under-14 solo section, the under-14 duo section and the under-14 squad section. We're currently deciding what our new outfit is going to be, which is quite exciting!
Do you have any favourite dance moves to perform?
I love doing new tricks and in the new routine I do an open leg invert. My gymnastics really helps with my flexibility.
What’s the best part of street dancing?
I love all my street dancing but particularly enjoy dancing with my duo dance partner, Ella Jolly. We’ve been friends since nursery and do all our classes together. We’ve won three street dance championships as partners. As we’ve been friends for so long, Ella always watches out for me and can tell by the way I am acting if I have gone low.
How did MOM get a part in the sequel
to Street Dance 3D?
We won the chance to star in the movie as part of our prize for winning the XXL UK Championships. Filming starts in July 2011. We don’t know what our part in the film is going to be yet, but we're very excited!
What would you say to other kids with diabetes who want to start dancing?
Go for it! Don't let diabetes stop you from doing anything. It's never stopped me fulfilling my dreams. Fit diabetes into your lifestyle, don’t run your lifestyle around diabetes!
Good luck with the World Championships and we look forward to seeing you in the movie!
Find out more!
Find out more about physical activity and diabetes.