THE Hawkesbury’s Jade Dacey does not wear boots and footy shorts when she competes in her chosen sport, but does wear a dress encrusted with hundreds of genuine Swarovski crystals.
Dacey competes in Irish dancing, a sport which she admits is different but also challenging.
The 12-year-old has gone all over Australia competing in the sport, and hopes it will take her overseas to compete in a world championship competition one day.
She started the sport after a friend in school showed her the steps.
Now, she attends the Sydney Academy of Irish Dancing at Lindfield and St.Leonards.
Her teacher is from Ireland, and has competed at the world championships for Irish dancing and has been in a Michael Flatley production of Lord of the Dance.
With no competitions in the Hawkesbury, Dacey travels across Sydney to compete.
However, later this year, she will go to the Gold Coast to compete in the Australian International Oireachtas competition.
That competition will be in July, followed by the NSW State championships in August at Cammeray.
Lastly, in October, she will potentially compete in the Australian National Championships, where, with any luck, she may one day qualifying for a world championship competition, which is one of her goals.
As for her dress, it was shipped over from Ireland, and is encrusted with the jewels. She also wears a wig, fake tan on her legs, and competitors all wear make-up from the age of 10 onward.