Polaroids dance crew are representing New Zealand at the World Hip-Hop Dance Championship in the Caribbean next month.
The Christchurch Zion Studios crew of nine will travel to the island of Martinique to join teams from over 16 other countries.
They are the only New Zealand dance crew attending and the first South Island team to ever be chosen.
"The whole team have been working so hard all year," says studio manager Carissa Crow.
"In-between full-time work or study these guys have been training nearly every day, and fundraising in their spare time. It's a massive achievement for people so young," she says.
The team qualified after taking out the Adult Crew category at the Hip-Hop Unite national competition in July.
Head judge from the competition Tanya Houpt says judges are not obliged to send crews to the world championship, but only if they believe they have a real shot at taking out the top spot.
Papanui-based Zion Studios has a focus on community and getting local youth involved in dancing.
"The emphasis is really on building respect and community. We provide a safe environment and means for young people to express themselves. We really talk and engage with the people we teach, and have seen lives turned around as a result," says Ms Crow.
The dance crew is both nervous and excited about the trip, she says, and count it as an achievement not just for the nine going but the community back in Christchurch too.
Polaroids' skills will be on display this Friday at the studios end-of-term concert, with proceeds going towards their trip. It starts at 7pm at 95a Sawyers Arms Road.
A Givealittle page has been setup, which can be viewed here.
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