A dance troupe have retained their first place title at a national competition.

Huddersfield Crusaders, who are based at Northfield Hall and led by choreographer and principal Sophie Simpson, have scooped a string of awards at the Yorkshire Carnival Association’s Universal Championships last month.

Each section of their cohort went up against 16 different troupes from all across the country.

But their Diamond Show Production - which took on a Chinese theme this year - secured first place for the second year running.

The troupe’s other Senior section won the Military Freestyle performance for the whole competition.

Sophie scooped first for best Diamond Show Production Leader - also for the second year running.

And it’s not too late to get involved as they are on the look out for more members to join their junior section (12-15).

Sophie said: “We have had a brilliant year and all the troupe have improved so much - we are now in the process of training new routines to take with us to 2015 competitions. There is always room for new members in our troupe, our door is always open - at the moment we are especially looking for young girls aged between 12-15 years to join our Junior section that will hopefully compete for the first time next year.

“Experience is not needed but it always helps if you already know how to twirl a baton”.

Other achievements at the Carnival Championships were as follows: The mascot in Diamond Show (second), the Senior Dance Twirl team (fourth), leader for the Senior Dance Twirl section (fifth) The Dinky Dance Twirl Mascot (third) and the Dinky Freestyle Mascot (second).

The troupe meet on a weekly basis Wednesday’s 4.30-6pm for under 16’s 6-8pm for Seniors, based at the Northfield Hall in Brackenhall. Email:huddersfieldcrusaders@hotmail.co.uk or message us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/huddersfieldcrusaders