Ben Smart has been a competitive line dancer since he was eight years old. At 10, he won his first major international title. Returning from his win, he featured on television and in newspapers. This was the first time his schoolmates had any idea that he was a line dancer. There was no round of applause for his achievement. Instead, Ben was bullied and beaten simply because Boys Don't Dance. Mentally, he withdrew, unable to read or write. Dissatisfied with the response from the education authorities, his grandparents (Ben's custodians since the age of two and a half) decided that the only option was to take Ben out of the school system. He has been home schooled ever since. Never giving up on his dream to entertain, in August 2003 Ben took first place at the 'Asia Pacific Competition' in Singapore. The win earned him a place at the 2004 Country Dance World Championships in Nashville, Tennessee. Ben was about to fulfil his greatest dream... to dance against the best in the world. With the help of family and friends, he set about raising the funds needed to turn his dream into reality. But $14,000 robbed Ben of his dream. That's how much it would have cost to compete in Nashville. Money he and his family didn't have. He was forced to relinquish his hard won place on the dance floor. Ben has used the experience to fuel the fire that will make him the best in the world. Now, at 15, he's more determined than ever to take his rightful place on the dance floor at the World Championships in Nashville, Tennessee. Will the Perth boy who has beaten all the odds become the next Line Dance Champion of the world? Ask him and the answer is an unequivocal, 'yes'. But for now, it's time for Ben to let his feet do the talking.
