Echuca’s Thunder DrillDance Club has claimed two Victorian championships, marking a breakthrough result for the young regional club and putting it firmly in the national spotlight.

Competing at the DrillDance Victoria State Titles in Geelong, Thunder Masters were crowned 2026 state champions in both the technical drill and display divisions, while Thunder Juniors added two bronze medals with third-place finishes in technical drill and thematic dance.

Club president Angela Coatsworth said the achievement was particularly significant given Thunder was only established in Echuca in 2021.

“Sunday was a pretty special day for us,” Ms Coatsworth said.

“To walk away with two state titles for our masters was an incredible result, and we couldn’t be prouder of our juniors, either.

“They’re still a young team, and watching their confidence, skills and love of the sport grow throughout the season has been just as rewarding.”

The result is believed to be the first state championship won by an Echuca DrillDance team since the late 1980s or early 1990s.

The championships featured about 25 teams competing across all age groups from around Victoria.

For several of the Echuca performers, it was also their first experience competing on the specialised carpeted surface used at state and national level events.

“Nerves were through the roof,” Ms Coatsworth said.

“It was the first time on carpet for a few of our girls, so they did very well.”

Thunder was backed by a strong travelling support crew from Echuca, creating one of the loudest sections in the venue.

“We had a really rowdy section of the crowd, which definitely egged us on a little bit,” Ms Coatsworth said.

“Just seeing all the teams in costume and performing full routines was a real experience.”

Club members now turning their attention to the Australian DrillDance Championships on the Gold Coast on August 29 and 30.

The masters team has increased training to three-hour sessions twice a week, with additional sessions expected before the team flies to Queensland later this month.

“We’ve always been the team that went and had fun,” Ms Coatsworth said.

“We’ve never really had the pressure on us before, so we’re all feeling it a little bit now.”

The national championships will be held across two venues: the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre for the drill component and The Star Gold Coast for the display routine, marking the masters team’s first time performing on a theatre-style stage at a national event.

Thunder competed at nationals in Melbourne last year, giving members a clear understanding of the standard they will face from teams representing Queensland, NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia.

“We’ll be training hard, pulling our routines apart, polishing the little things and challenging ourselves to see just how good we can actually be,” she said.

Despite the growing pressure, Ms Coatsworth said the club was determined to embrace the opportunity.

“We’re a small regional club taking on some of the best DrillDance teams from around Australia, and we’re certainly going there to give it everything we’ve got,” she said.

Thunder members also acknowledged the support of families, friends, local businesses and the wider Echuca community.

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Monday, 23rd January 2034

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