For Sammy McGregor, line dancing has always been more than a hobby. From her first grapevine at six years old to teaching classes across North and West Melbourne, dance has been a place to express herself, connect with others, and bring joy to those around her. “Line dancing is a way to express yourself and what you’re feeling without having to say a word,” Sammy says. “When I’m happy, I dance. When things are difficult, I dance. It’s always been there as support and escape.”
Finding Her Passion and Purpose
Sammy’s love for dance deepened when she joined Aligned Dance in 2023. The feeling of moving together as a group, even with strangers, quickly became something like family. One moment, in particular, changed everything for her. “I helped out at an over-55s class,”she recalls. “Some of the participants had cancer, arthritis, or other challenges, yet everyone just became dancers for that hour. It was beyond inspiring. I knew I had to be a part of that!” Today, she uses her passion and her own lived experience to encourage others: “If I can do it, anyone can.”
Stepping Into Leadership
Since starting as a helper, Sammy has progressed to assistant and now instructor, a leap that has taught her the importance of preparation, patience, and empathy. “If I’m not confident, my students feel unsure. If it’s not fun, what’s the point?” she says. Leadership, for Sammy, is about creating an environment where everyone can thrive. She loves seeing students from different cultures and abilities gain confidence and connect through dance.
Empowered to Lead
Sammy joined the Empowered to Lead program seeking growth and support in overcoming imposter syndrome. “I’d been pushed so far out of my comfort zone and was looking for ways to get comfortable with discomfort,” she says. “I didn’t know what to expect, but the experience was sensational. Being around strong, confident women made me realise it’s okay for me to be strong and powerful too.”
The program gave her practical tools and strategies, from above-and-below-the-line thinking to new ways of understanding herself and others. “It’s helped me notice what’s helping or hindering me and approach each class with the right mindset,” she says. “Seeing other women succeed and cheering each other on has been so confidence building. There’s nothing like it.”
Leadership in Action
Sammy has brought these lessons straight into her dance classes. She’s become more assertive in her daily life, confident invoicing her opinion, and mindful of applying the same care to herself as she does to her students. “Being a leader is hard! It’s okay to make mistakes, learn, and move on,” she says.
Looking Ahead
Sammy wants girls and women to be given equal opportunities from the start, so sport and leadership don’t feel secondary. She hopes women are recognised for their abilities and achievements, not just their gender. “Women are smart, determined, capable, and inspiring for so many reasons,” she says.
Next, Sammy plans to keep pushing herself, embracing challenges, and applying the wisdom of her mentors. “Keep watching for the stages of growth, noticing if you’re above or below the line, and be mindful of who’s on your bus,” she says with a laugh. “If this all sounds strange to you, join the program! It will be worth it, I promise you.”
What Playing Like a Girl Means
For Sammy, Play Like a Girl is about believing in yourself, supporting others, and being strong even when it’s tough or scary.“It’s about constantly striving to do better,” she says.
.png){kind=icon}
.png)
.png)
.png)
.avif)
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
