Supporting research into dance injuries

Speaking at a special event before the Dance UK AGM at the Royal Institute of medicine in London, Group Marketing Manager Mark Rasmussen said, "We all appreciate the level of skill and athleticism required to dance at the top level, and we’ve heard tonight from people at this top level how injuries can potentially ruin a career. For 33 years, our company Harlequin has worked with these top dancers all over the world, to develop floors which enable them to express their art whilst doing much to protect them against spinal, ankle or leg injuries associated with dancing on solid unyielding surfaces. Whilst the installation of a proper dance floor is now increasingly recognized as a prerequisite by the dance community, this alone cannot of course guarantee the elimination of dance injuries and that’s where the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science will come in. We wholeheartedly support their vision for “all top level dancers to have access to high quality, comprehensive, dance specific healthcare and dance science support services on a par with those enjoyed by athletes and the dancers in the very largest ballet companies" 

Mark continued, "Woven into the DNA of Harlequin, straight from our founder and chairman Bob Dagger, and continued by his son Guy, is our commitment to playing our part to give back to the dance community. We, uniquely among our competitors, continue to support research into dance injuries, provide scholarships in North America, sponsor events ranging from the Prix de Lausanne to Move IT and continue, year on year, as a major supporter of IADMS. So, when asked to support this initiative, it was obvious that this was a logical extension of that ongoing commitment we have to provide funding wherever possible. It gives me great please to announce that British Harlequin is committing £30,000 to Dance UK to support this campaign. It is our sincere hope that, at a time when funding has been reduced and there are calls from government for private philanthropy, that this serious commitment will send a strong signal to both the private sector AND to those who make decisions on where government grants are made, of the importance of this work. 

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Photo:

Mark Rasmussen, British Harlequin plc with Graham Taylor, ex England football national team manager. Photo by Rick Senley.