Talented Cape Town dancer, Peyton Connor, has been selected for the South African Dance Team set to compete at the 2025 Dance World Cup in Spain.
This is not the first time Peyton qualified for a major international competition, nor is this the first time she has been selected for the South African Team.
Robyn Connor, Peyton’s mother, said supporting young talent like Peyton was an investment in the country.
“When we invest in our youth, we’re investing in the future of our country. Peyton’s journey is not just hers; it’s a shared story of resilience, hope, and the power of community,” Connor said.
She said her daughter has worked “so hard and qualifies, but then faces disappointment; however, she remains positive and gives every competition her all”.
Peyton’s family have expressed their deepest appreciation for all the support she received over the years.
“It’s everything. Messages of support and encouragement keep her motivated,” Connor said.
She said Peyton knew “people believed in her” adding that it meant the world to her daughter and them as a family.
Peyton was previously selected for the DanceStar World Finals in Croatia (2020), the Talent Africa Finals in Serbia (2022), and the SACOPA World Championships in the USA (2022).
These opportunities were missed due to financial constraints.
For her participation in this year’s competition in Spain, she needs to raise around R50,000 to cover the costs.
Associated costs include flights, visa applications, accommodation for the two-week event, team kit, and competition fees.
Despite past disappointments, Peyton’s spirit remains strong.
The Dance World Cup 2025 World Finals are scheduled to take place in Burgos, Spain, from July 3 to July 12. The main venue for performances will be the Evolution Forum Burgos – Congress Centre and Auditorium.
Often called the “Olympics of Dance,” this year’s competition will have over 9,000 of the world’s best dancers representing their respective countries. The highly competitive nature of the international competition allows for only four spots per age group and genre.
Connor said support was limited, especially for dancers, so families often must carry the full financial load themselves.
While the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, along with provincial bodies and entities like the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the National Lotteries Commission, do provide avenues for funding, these are often through federations or targeted at specific programmes.
You can contribute to Peyton’s journey by visiting her BackaBuddy page for more information.
IOL
