The Orlando City Lions aren’t the only team that’s getting prepared for the regular season.

The City Girls dance team, presented by Office Furniture Outlet, have been preparing for the April 15 home opener since the squad was chosen on Feb. 14 after a final tryout occurred.

This offseason, the City Girls have been practicing at the Center for Contemporary Dance (CCD), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization located in Winter Park. Craig Johnson, a co-founder of the center, was excited to have the City Girls use the studio.

“Our whole mission is to expand the dance initiative in Central Florida,” Johnson said. “We were excited to see another dance group like the City Girls come up and broaden dance in Orlando.”

Niki Lin, an Orlando City Girl veteran, is a member of the Center and began the conversation of having the City Girls. “I produced a show called Year of the Dragon in Jan. 2012 at CCD with OSC Dance Director Lisa Norred and OSC City Girl Mippi Jones,” she said. “I realized a collaboration between OSC and CCD would be a winning situation for everyone involved. We are very grateful for their continued support in 2012.”

Starting 10 years ago, the CCD focuses on three main initiatives: education, incubation and community service. They offer classes for all ages and levels, gives space and opportunity for the next wave of dancers to learn and grow along with offering specialty classes for kids with disabilities and free performances for schools around the Central Florida area.

To find out more on the Center for Contemporary Dance, visit their website at www.thecenterfordance.org.