First ballet school to sponsor a football team

New Proud Sponsor of Hamilton Panthers York

You have likely heard many times before how ballet can benefit football players, even though the two are very different. However, for one ambitious ballet principal these two worlds are now that little bit closer.

Experienced classical dance teacher Miss Donya who runs En Pointe Dance Studios in York Business Park has a thriving dance school. It has gone from strength to strength with now over 350+ dance students with classes available 7-days a week with a few awards under their belt including ‘Little Viking Magazine’ for Best Dance Classes in York.

As far as we can tell, it is the first time a football team has ever been sponsored by a ballet school. It’s great to see the two sports clubs supporting each other like this.

“I want to give back to the community now that we are established, and En Pointe Dance School wants to help and support children to keep fit. Hamilton Panthers under-11s who play in the York FA Minor League are a prime example of what I stand for. That is why we wanted to sponsor them. I want to teach children not only how to do classical ballet, dance and stay active but also to encourage them to look after their wellbeing, keep fit and guide them to become healthy adults.”

— Miss Donya, En Pointe Principal

Sponsoring their new kit in time for the season and a big match has really improved the players morale and team spirit. They hadn’t had a sponsor for over two years, and to be supported by another local club for kids such as a En Pointe ballet school means so much to the boys.

I love that we have teamed up with a ballet school as well respected as En Pointe. I wanted to present the lads the new kit as a surprise and once they got them on they were over the moon. Perhaps, the girls can teach the boys some new footwork.

— Scott Backhouse, Hamilton Panthers Under 12’s Football Coach for York