Katie is a Legal Assistant in our Finance Litigation Department; she joined us in August 2022 as a member of the Administration and New Enquiries team. We have taken a little time out with her to ask her about her lifelong passion, Majorettes, and her upcoming participation in the 2026 England Squad European Championships!
How long have you been in the Majorettes?
“I started back when I was 7, so almost 20 years!”
What got you into it?
“As silly as it sounds, I had a plastic water filled baton from Argos when I was little. All the girls at school used to bring them in until word got round that there was a local team down the road. Around 6 of us from my school joined!”
Have you competed in any big competitions before, and if so – how did you do?
“I competed in the UK’s version of the ‘world champs’ back in 2023. The competition was open to anyone, with teams traveling from Scotland, Ireland and even Guernsey. The competition was held in the Blackpool tower ballroom and we came 1st in 2/3 routines!”
What is the name of the competition you are about to enter, and where is it being held?
“The ‘European Championships’, organised by the International Baton Twirling Federation. This competition happens every other year with countries from all over the world including Japan, USA, Spain, France, Italy & Australia (the list goes on)…This will be held in Italy this October.”
What is your greatest achievement so far?
“It has to be being selected to represent team England!”
What are your favourite memories?
“As I’ve danced with the same team for almost 20 years, the girls and my coach really have become my family. It’s hard to pinpoint a favourite memory, but we’ve been very successful over the years and to be able to do this with my best friends who I’ve quite literally grown up with is definitely a special kind of friendship.”
How many hours of training do you do a week?
“I train for three hours with my team, and closer to competitions we squeeze a few extra practices in. I then train once a month on a Sunday for six hours with team England!”
How do you balance work and your social life with training?
“Busy Saturdays! I try cram everything I want to do into a Saturday (my poor boyfriend) Although the girls I train with are essentially my social life. I don’t just see them at dance – we go out on a weekend, away on holidays etc., so for me training is just another opportunity to socialise (this comes at the cost of we fight like sisters though!)
“I’m also lucky in the sense that I live quite close to work and my training hall, so I usually go straight to Majorettes from the office!”
Do you have a favourite routine or song to perform to?
“My teams style is very 80’s, so the majority of our music is very well known especially by the parents. Too many to pick from though!”
What is your biggest goal or dream?
“When I started dancing it was simply a hobby, I’m not sure my parents thought I’d stick it out this long! I never even considered team England, and it wouldn’t be possible without my trainer so I suppose I don’t really have a goal or dream, I just hope my love for Majorettes never goes away, as it really has become my life. I’d be lost without that metal stick and pom poms!”
Is there anywhere in the world you would really like to compete?
“Japan! I’d love to visit Japan as a holiday regardless, but they’ve held the worlds in Japan previously and they are incredible with a baton!”
How does it feel to have your own employer, Oakwood Solicitors, sponsoring you this year?
“I’m very grateful and appreciate the support from Oakwood, it’s also nice to be able to have the logo of a company that means something on my kit!”
Donate to Katie’s England Squad dream
Our donation has put Katie well on her way, but she still needs any additional help she can get to pay for her accommodation with the squad in Italy. If you wished do donate towards her trip of a lifetime and help the England Majorettes Squad reach their goal, she would be overwhelmingly grateful if you were able to do so.
Click here to see Katie’s GoFundMe and donate online.
Thank you so much to Katie for taking the time to answer our questions, and we wish her all the best for a hopeful England Majorettes victory in Italy a little later on in the year. We’re sure it will create many wonderful memories to last a lifetime!
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