From Football Fields to Dance Floors: The journey of Champion Rolie

Behind every move, there’s a narrative of passion, perseverance, and unexpected twists. Champion Rolie, a rising star in the dance community, embodies this narrative with his journey from aspiring footballer to accomplished dancer.

Champion Rolie’s journey began at Winneba Senior High School, where he harboured dreams of becoming a footballer. Like many young athletes, his aspirations were fueled by the thrill of the game and the promise of a future on the field.

However, fate had a different plan in store. Despite his dedication and ambitions, the path to football stardom seemed increasingly elusive.

“I wanted to be a footballer but it didn’t work,” Champion Rolie said in an interview on The Delay Show, on Saturday. “I was supposed to go for trials somewhere but my father objected to the idea because he wanted me to study. It got to a point where it felt like the football dream was not going to happen.”

Champion Rolie pursued his studies in Communication Design, with a specialization in Advertising, at the university level. Yet, amidst the pages of textbooks and lectures, the rhythm of dance called out to him. It was a passion ignited by the sight of others moving to the music.

“The passion moved from football to dance. I felt excited when I saw people dance,” the 24-year-old said.

Balancing his academic pursuits with his growing love for dance, Champion Rolie made the courageous decision to pursue his passion, seeking out opportunities to refine his skills. It was during this time that he encountered DWP (Dance With Purpose), a renowned dance collective where he found a community that nurtured his talent and fueled his ambition.

However, amidst rehearsals and performances, Champion Rolie remained mindful of his father’s expectations. His father’s commitment to education and discipline served as a guiding force in Champion’s life.

“My father became aware of my dance career when I told him I wanted to join DWP. Mostly, I was free on Saturdays so I told him I’d want to go for a dance class. He agreed but cautioned me to take my books seriously,” said Champion Rolie.

He continued: “My dad is such that every evening, he wants to see me at a particular spot reading my books. Once I flout that, he gets angry. His educational background is not that good, so, he aims at pushing his children to further their education. He’s a photographer, my mother is a trader. I’m the second of three children.”

Yet, it was during an important outreach event with the Champion Rolie Foundation that the true depth of his father’s pride was revealed. In a rare display of emotion, his father expressed words of admiration and pride, a gesture that resonated deeply with Champion Rolie.

His father’s words, he said, were a revelation, and a validation of his journey.

“During my first outreach in December, my father accompanied me,” Champion Rolie recalled. “He sat there and stared at me for so long. There was a time he said he was proud of me and I was emotional because he is very shy… When he told me he was proud of me, I was like ‘Wow’.

“He is the type that would never compliment you. So, it really meant a lot to me. It was amazing. It was one of the best things I’d heard from him in a long time.”



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