A TALENTED schoolgirl who followed in her mum’s footsteps by taking up Irish dancing is preparing to strut her stuff on a global stage.

Mia Slicer, 11, will fly the flag for Scotland as the country’s only competitor at the 2023 World Irish Dancing Championships, to be staged in Montreal, Canada.

She qualified for the prestigious tournament after being crowned Scottish under-11 champion.

And it will be an exciting time for her proud family, including mum Julie, as she competes with other top talent from across the planet.

Barrhead News: Mia Slicer with her mum Julie and younger sister EmmeMia Slicer with her mum Julie and younger sister Emme (Image: Newsquest)

Julie told the Barrhead News: “It’s the biggest and best Irish dancing competition in the world.

“She’ll be competing with the best of the best and the top 20 dancers get a world medal to keep.

“I’m so happy for her. She has been working really hard.”

Mia, who is a pupil at St Thomas’ Primary, in Neilston, was first bitten by the Irish dancing bug when she was just three years old.

She honed her skills at the McLaughlin School of Irish Dancing, in Glasgow, where Julie also learned to dance as a child.

Mia is currently ranked 51st in the world at her level and is number one in Scotland.

The World Championships take place in April but, with flights and accommodation to sort out, competing in Canada won’t be cheap.

With this in mind, Julie is planning a fundraising event in January to help pay for her daughter’s trip of a lifetime.

“Mia has been dancing brilliantly and we’d love to get her over there, as it’s a massive achievement and she is so excited,” said Julie.

“We are thinking about having a ceilidh in January. I’m hoping to have local businesses donate prizes for a raffle.

“Jilly & Friends hair salon have already said they will donate a prize for us.”

Among those who will be rooting for Mia as she takes on the world is younger sister Emme, who competes in Irish dancing at under-7 level.

Barrhead News: Mia (left) has already won a clutch of trophies and is also an inspiration to Emme (right)Mia (left) has already won a clutch of trophies and is also an inspiration to Emme (right) (Image: Reader submitted)

Julie added: “Emme is Mia’s biggest supporter. She’s always there, cheering her on, and she is so excited for her sister.

“Mia’s dancing has been so consistent. She just gets on with it and she loves it so much.”

Anyone who would like to donate a raffle prize should contact Julie by emailing julie_nicol@hotmail.co.uk or calling 0787 040 8613.