Hudson Valley Baton Twirling Team to Compete Internationally in 2023

This Hudson Valley team is receiving international attention for their latest feats. The Silver Starlites, a Hudson Valley-based twirling team will compete in the International Baton Twirling Federation (IBTF) World Championships in Liverpool, England.

2023 World Baton Twirling Championship & Nations Cup

The IBTF World Baton Twirling Championship and Nations Cup will be held August 4-13, 2023 in Liverpool, England. The event is composed of three separate competitions:

• IBTF World Baton Twirling Championship
• IBTF Nations Cup
• IBTF Majorettes World Championship

IBTF is a non-profit organization created to foster the advancement and development of the sport of baton twirling across the globe, and the nurture a common goal of unity. They seek to conduct championships highlighting athletes, to become the single governing body of the sport of baton twirling internationally, and to create accreditation mechanisms for coaches and adjudicators of the disciplines they govern.

IBTF is recognized by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). GAISF recognition is important for several reasons. First , it validates acceptance in each country's sport governing body, even being a requirement in some countries to make a sport eligible for funding, technical assistance, and sport training education methods. Secondly, it provides validation to potential sponsors and mass media. Thirdly, GAISF is a ladder to Olympic recognition.

The Silver Starlites Coaching

"They're always looking out for each other. they're the best of friends and we're really a family and at the end of the day to go and travel to Liverpool with your family is really incredible," says Silver Starlites coach Lindsay Chudoba.

Not just any family, but a true Hudson Valley team. "We're not like some of these teams that handpick kids all across the country to make some elite team," says Allison Stuart, director and coach of Silver Starlites. "We're a Dutchess County team. This is in Putnam. We're local."

The Silver Starlites coaches couldn't be more proud of their athletes. "... To see all that they've accomplished and the fact their ultimate dream is coming true is pretty remarkable," says Jessica Pulford, Silver Starlites coach.

The Silver Starlites Athletes

Competing in this International Team, Silver Starlites have:

• Robert Leske
• Calise Henry
• Gracie Burton
• Charlotte Genesi
• Madison Anderson
• Isabelle Andreo
• Brooke Dixson
• Ashley Sheil

Coach Allison Stuart says, "It's great for our community to have a local team good enough to represent the country. It's a gratifying experience to coach them when they're 5 and see them develop to the point where they're accomplishing goals at this level.

This isn't the first time the team has seen world acclaim. Robert Leske won bronze in men's solo 2 baton category at worlds in 2018, and Micah Beaudoin took gold as part of a juvenile duet that same year. They both again qualified in 2019 for the world championships, but the pandemic halted those plans from happening.