'I was in tears': 11 year old girl wins prestigious UK ballet award

Elderslie schoolgirl Caoimhe Elliott was “delighted” after winning the junior ballet trophy for ‘Best Potential’ at the British Association of Teachers of Dancing awards in Newcastle, competing against 70 other dancers from across the UK.

Caoimhe performing on stage (Image: Supplied)

Caoimhe’s mum Tracey said she was “blown away” by her daughter’s triumph.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “Even to be selected for the competition was a big achievement. She was competing against girls much older than her as well, but she more than held her own.

“We didn’t have any expectations going down there. We always just tell her to have fun and try to enjoy the experience.

“There were a lot of talented girls competing, so when they announced that she’d won Best Potential we were just dumbstruck. We were blown away.”

Caoimhe with her Best Potential trophy (Image: Supplied)

Caoimhe was not able to take part in the event last year as she wasn’t yet 11 years old, and Tracey said she was visibly smaller than her fellow competitors.

“Caoimhe was definitely the tiniest,” she said. “When I saw her coming out, I thought ‘god, she’s tiny compared to some of these girls.’

“The setup was quite intimidating, they were surrounded by spectators with the three judges right in front.

“I think she was quite nervous. At one point, I looked at her and thought ‘my goodness, she looks as though she’s going to throw up.’ But she did so well.”

Caoimhe recently went down to London to get her first 'pointe' shoes fitted (Image: Supplied)

Tracey said how proud she was to watch her daughter win the prestigious award.

“I was in tears,” she said. “I absolutely couldn’t believe it. The trophy they gave her is nearly the same size as her.

“She gets to keep the trophy for a year, with her name engraved into it. Thinking that her name is on that trophy forever, it’s absolutely amazing.”

Caoimhe has shown a rare natural talent ever since beginning lessons at the J&D School of Dance in Johnstone at the tender age of two.

We reported on Caoimhe last December after she won a leading role in Scottish Ballet’s production of Cinderella, and the twinkle-toed star in the making has continued from strength to strength in the months since.

She trained with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland last year, and did so well that she gained a place on their modern ballet programme, joining straight into the intermediate level.

Caoimhe dreams of turning professional one day (Image: Supplied)

Tracey says she has her heart set on becoming a professional ballet dancer.

“That’s definitely her dream at the moment, to be a ballet dancer,” Tracey said. “I think it’s every little girl’s dream.

“If she keeps enjoying it, which is the most important thing, she’s got the natural talent. She picks the choreography up really quickly.

“But I do want her to enjoy her childhood, and not miss out on anything. She loves her social circle, she loves being with her friends. There’s plenty of time for her.”

Donna Nelson, principal of J&D School of Dance, also expressed her pride.

“Caoimhe is such a hard-working and dedicated dancer,” she said. “She’s a very talented girl. We are so proud of her at J&D.”