What the dance community are saying about Harlequin's donation to dance research

At the recent Dance UK event when British Harlequin donated £30,000 to National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science research, the Harlequin marketing team were there to interview a number of leading people within the dance community.

 

Click on links to view their interviews.

Dr Emma Redding (dancer and Head of Dance Science, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance) explains that Harlequin floors are  "researched informed products".

Nick Allen, Clinical DIrector, The Jerwood Centre, Birmingham Royal Ballet talks about dancer's health.

Former England football manager, more recently chairman of Watford FC, Graham Taylor  “was shocked to discover the lack of health facilities to look after dancers,” and called on other companies to match the Harlequin donation.

Recalling her own injury, Angela Towler, Rambert Dance Company welcomed the initiative and thanked Harlequin for supporting the programme.

Kate Prince Artistic Director of ZooNation explained how her own injury had given an insight into the current situation in health support for injured dancers. 

Healthier Dance Programme Director, Dance UK, Helen Laws picks up a big cheque from Harlequin's Mark Rasmussen and explains the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science's aims .

... and Caroline Miller, Director, Dance UK rounds up the event.

An interview with Helen Laws, Dance uk

See what Helen Laws, Healthier Dance Programme Manager, Dance UK said about the donation by British Harlequin.

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.