A GROUP of 20 girls from across West Dunbartonshire put their best foot forward during a Dance Leadership coaching weekend.

The dancers, who are training for an award in Dance Leadership (Level 1) with YDance, were put through their paces at Dumbarton Academy on Friday.

All the girls involved come from Clydebank High School, Dumbarton Academy, Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School, St Peter the Apostle High School and Vale of Leven Academy.

They are developing their leadership and communication skills, given tips and advice on how to plan and deliver a quality dance lesson and a host of other skills that will ensure they finish the course as qualified dance leaders.

The SCQF Level 4 in Dance Leadership is a nationally recognised qualification that enables successful learners to lead groups in dance activities, whilst under the supervision of their Tutor/Assessor or other suitably qualified adult.

This is one of more than 60 Award in Dance Leadership courses the YDance Active project has delivered since it began in September 2012.

In total YDance Active has worked with more than 7,700 participants in Day Dance Workshops in 28 local authorities across Scotland, with over 1,500 going on to achieve an Award in Dance Leadership.

These young leaders are now qualified to help facilitate and inspire dance activities for other young people in their schools and communities.

Kelly Shearer, YDance Active Project Director, said: "YDance Active has been running these courses since September 2012 and the response from the participants has been overwhelming.

"We can see them working together, developing these skills, growing in confidence and now they will have a nationally recognised qualification which will allow them to champion dance in their local communities.’

YDance Active is part of the Active Girls programme, which is funded by Sportscotland and in line with the Scottish Government’s Active Policy Framework.