Group of nine smiling people standing together against a white brick background in casual clothing.
Pictured from left to right are: Dancer Chloe McDonald with Jonty Sargeant, dancer Laura Grecian and partner Phil Bowers, Meg Baldwin, Nathan Smith and his partner Lauren Taylor, and dancer Sophie Toft with Nick Holland.
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Local stars turn to dance to help make youth football coaching available to all   

1 min read

Figures from the worlds of sport, broadcasting and business are set to take to the dance floor to raise money to help vulnerable or disadvantaged youngsters access top quality football training.  

Port Vale defender Nathan Smith, Port Vale women’s captain Meg Baldwin, BBC Radio Stoke’s Phil Bowers, TV presenter Jonty Sargeant and Complete Communications Managing Director Nick Holland are in training with dance partners from Defy Gravity Studios in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, ahead of a charity ball in aid of Pro Level Vision.  

Money raised by the dancers ahead of the ball will be converted into a percentage of votes on the night which will go towards deciding who is crowned the winner.   

The Pro Level Vision Glitter Ball will take place at the Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday, 22 March. 

As well as the Strictly-style competition, there will be a drinks reception, three-course meal, DJ and dancing, raffle and silent auction. 

Tom Conlon and Nathan Smith.

Pro Level Vision was founded by Nathan Smith and former Port Vale captain Tom Conlon, who now plays for Oldham Athletic

It offers funded places for children and young people from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire who would not otherwise be able to access football coaching. The charity has also teamed up with Caudwell Children to run a pan-disability football team.  

Pro Level Vision is the charity arm of Pro Level Academy, which was set up by Tom and Nathan in 2021 and holds sessions at Keele University and in Stone.  

Tom said: “Football is a fantastic way to support childhood development, both on and off the pitch, and the funds we raise at our second charity ball will help us offer our unique quality coaching to all children.”  

Nathan added: “I’m looking forward to the challenge of learning to dance in aid of this great cause. Last year’s ball raised £20,000 and we want to raise even more this time.”   

To book a table, donate or bid in the silent auction, click here

For more information, email prolevelvision@outlook.com   

Hayley Johnson

Senior journalist with over 15 years’ experience writing for customers and audiences all over the world. Previous work has included everything from breaking news for national newspapers to complex business stories, in-depth human-interest features and celebrity interviews - and most things in between.

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