The PDC interview with United Kingdom Amateur Pole Performer joint organiser Stacey Sneddon.

picture above of UKAPP organisers Kat Williamson and Stacey Sneddon.

What made you set up the UKAPP competition?

Both Kat and I had been at a competition the previous year and seen the huge jump from amateur and professional, We both wanted to put on a show or competition but had not decided what we wanted to do untill we saw this.
It was amazing watching the levels in Amateur pole and thought that it would have been fairer for them to be categorised. We felt that this had not been done in a competition before (for amateurs) also there were so many professional comps and nothing for students to perform and have centre stage so we decided to do UKAPP.

picture right of Alethea Austin (UKAPP judge) and Stacey.

What have been the highlights of his years UKAPP for you?

Seeing the most amazing new talent come through, It has been a hard and busy year for both myself and Kat in our professional and personal life so it has been lovely to have so many contestants being amazing to work with and fantastic dancers.

All the performers have put so much effort into everything this year its has been inspirational. Also to work with Karen Chandy again from BodyBarre (PDC approved) and Kate Johnstone from Spin City (PDC approved).

What sets UKAPP apart from other competitions?

All the competition are great I love PoleDivas and MPD however they are for the professionals, the UKAPP is a competition purely for amateurs and means it gives them something to work towards without having the fear of entering against someone they are learning from or one of there pole heros. We have found a path to find new talent out there like we have seen with Karry Summers and Bendy Kate.

What plans do you have for next year UKAPP?

Next year we will be going back to our original plans and cancelling the instructor section, We did the instructor section as we felt there was such a huge jump between instructors and professional dancers, It's lovely to see the professional comps have now made space for this group and MPD have made a pre pro competition for these. Now there is a place for this category we are going to concentrate on what we enjoy the most the amateur polers who just want to have fun.

How the hell do you fit everything into your busy lifestyle?

Good time management and amazing friends and family, Both Kat and I are best friends first and foremost so it has been a great adventure for us to do this together.

picture left of Stacey and the X-pole Girls.

What would you say to someone thinking of entering UKAPP who has not done so before and is nervous abut participating in a national competition?

UKAPP is like a family, we welcome everyone and try and make the experience for everyone fun and enjoyable. They would not be up against professional and the stage is set for them so just to go out and enjoy themselves and be as adventurous as they can be.

What UKAPP master-classes can we be looking forward to?

We have some greats coming over next year, the UKAPP masterclass will have the amazing Miss Suzie Q (click here to see Suzie Q in action), Suzie will be coming over from June - August next year and will be bring her partner Toby J, Toby and Suzie have just won the Asian Pasific Doubles and will be teaching acro-balance and doubles along with the normal Suzie Style.

The Pole Dance Community would like to congratulate Stacey on her fantastic contribution to the Pole Dancing Industry, she is a fabulous amabassador for the modern fitness pole dancing phenomenon.