And they all took full advantage of the opportunity, showing off their skills to a packed house of family and friends at Orange Function Centre.

Dance sections coordinator Carol Smithers said Orange and district had done itself proud with the number of schools who had entered the competition.

“Some of them were really large groups, which is always a big effort for the teachers and we appreciate their support,” she said.

“The children all did so well.”

Mrs Smithers said the day started with the small schools’ section and concluded with the secondary schools’ sections, which were divided into year 9 and under and year 12 and under.

“This year it was great to see we had some all-boy groups and our adjudicator and the crowd really loved that,” she said.

“It’s so good to see boys becoming involved in dance.”

Friday’s dance sections were the start of an intense three days of competition for eisteddfod organisers and competitors, with almost 300 groups taking to the stage at Orange Function Centre and Orange Civic Theatre.

Dance schools from Orange, Bathurst, Molong, Blayney, Forbes Dubbo, Wallerawang, Goulburn, and the ACT were among those competing.

The eisteddfod continues today at the Orange Civic Theatre with solo dance sections in the 13 and 14-year age groups.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au