Matrix Baton Twirlers

IBTA Most Progressive Corps 2006 & 2008

HISTORY

There was once a majorette troupe formed in the eighties by Julie Robinson called Liphook Bluebelles. This troupe had many members who are still around in the twirling world today including Rosie Boughen (now Malone). Of course over the course of time the corps evolved and many twirlers went on to set up their own corps and teams.

Rosie Boughen was a teacher of Liphook Bluebelles, along with Susie Fry in the earlier and mid nineties. She left the corps due to university commitments and joined Herald Allstars as a teacher. Liphook Bluebelles continued, but when their teacher and director left in 1999 it looked as though the team would end.

Three parents stepped in to the directors roles to prevnt the tem from folding: Julie East, Sharon Bailey and Paula Healey. An IBTA teacher was sought and for a variety of reasons the arrangement did not work out.

Meanwhile, Rosie had left Herald Allstars and was setting up a small corps herself. She and Julie spoke on the telephone and everything suddenly became very clear, Julie had lots of twirlers and no teacher, Rosie was a teacher with not many twirlers! After a meeting at Julie's house it was decided the two corps would merge, the team were renamed and relaunched in January 2000 as Matrix Twirlers.

Sadly Sharon Bailey lost her fight against breast cancer in March 2003. However the corps would not be where they are today without her enthusiasm and comittment and the Corps honor her by contributing to charity from the proceeds of its open competitions which carry her name. Julie remained a director until 2007, Rosie is still a corps director and Paula Healey is an IBTA registered clerk for the corps. Lisa Kemp and Christopher Duncan became corp. directors in 2007, Lisa resigned her position in 2008. Chris & Rosie are currently the Corps directers.

At the end of 2007 Matrix joined forces with another troupe, Topaz Twirlstars, to become Matrix and Topaz United at the start of 2008. Unfortunatly the two troupes parted company in March of 2008 after deciding that they wished to follow different paths. Topaz became Evolution Twirlers and Matrix stayed as Matrix Baton Twirlers.

The Corps won the IBTA Most Progressive Corps award for improved performance in 2006 and again in 2008 a fantastic achievement. The Corps also won the Highest Points Award at the BIBTA National Team Conpetitions in 2008 rounding off a great year for all involved.