DanceSport Australia Information Portal - Let's Dance

Notice to Competitors

This notice is to clearly state the position of Dancesport Australia (“DSA”) in regard to Australian competitors wishing to dance in any DSA registered events.  DSA’s position is that DSA will not restrict any of its registered competitor members from competing in any Australian DSA registered event for reason that the registered competitor member has competed in an event that is “unrecognized” by an international organisation.

Please note, however, that DSA does not have the power to prevent the suspension of couples from an event registered with an international organisation. Should couples wish to enter such events, they must abide by the rules of the international organisation.

Don Mc Robert

President Dancesport Australia

Press Release - Important Information for DSA Members

On the 9^th 10^th and 11^th December 2011 the Australian Dancing Society (“ADS”) presented the World DanceSport Federation’s (“WDSF”) Asian Pacific DanceSport Championships - Standard and Latin, the Australian/ International open [and Closed Australian] DanceSport Championships - Standard and Latin, all conducted under the rules of the WDSF. All other Australian Championships were conducted under the rules of DanceSport Australia (“DSA”).

WDSF rules state that couples who wish to dance in events that are unregistered with WDSF may be subject to disciplinary action. Notwithstanding, a number of Australian couples danced in an unregistered WDSF event (the London Ball, held in September, 2011)  and were subsequently suspended by WDSF from competing in WDSF events (including those held during the Australian DanceSport Championships) for six months.  At present, the WDSF Athletes Code of Conduct and Standards of Ethics state that “no athlete may compete in a DanceSport Competition which is not registered and granted by WDSF or by a WDSF member Federation”. Couples who wish to dance in WDSF events are not permitted to dance in events not registered with WDSF – hence the above mentioned suspensions imposed.

DSA has received many comments concerning an unfortunate incident which occurred following the Professional Standard Championship on the evening of 10^th December 2011.  Following this event the winners Matthew Rooke and Anna Longmore were to present an honours dance. We have been informed that during the presentation and honours dance, Ms Longmore was wearing a yellow sash in support of those Australian couples who were suspended by WDSF; they were then asked to leave the venue and advised that they would be escorted from the premises by the venue’s security officers.

In relation to the above and similar matters, DanceSport Australia would like to reaffirm the following points -  

1. DSA is openly a member of various International Organisations in Australia including WDSF. 
2. DSA does not support the exclusion of couples from Competition as a matter of principle. 
3. DSA has no issue with expressions of support for suspended couples where no specific DSA rule is infringed.
4. DSA did not ask for nor did it condone the removal of anyone from the premises.
5. DSA has stated that the internal organisation of the event and decisions made were the prerogative of the organiser, ADS.
6. DSA is supportive and appreciative of the ADS conducting International events on behalf of DanceSport and the industry in Australia over a long period of time. 

DSA deplores the international conflict that has developed within our industry and will continue to press forward and negotiate and work with all parties to achieve an outcome that serves the best interests of DanceSport in this country.

Don McRobert, President, DanceSport Australia

World Dance Council and DanceSport Australia

It is with great disappointment that we advise that the World Dance council (“WDC”) has seen fit to take unprecedented and unannounced disciplinary action against DanceSport Australia (“DSA”).   DSA categorically denies any transgression of its obligations as a member of WDC, and has requested that WDC explain its precipitous action. In the view of DSA, this action by WDC has been undertaken in contravention of WDC’s own Articles of Association and disciplinary procedures  – without prior warning, communication or explanation to DSA.

 WDC has made public on its web site the full text of the only advice and communication to DSA on this matter. Whilst DSA does not intend to prosecute this matter via press release, we believe DSA members are entitled to knowledge of DSA’s position. Accordingly, we are publishing both the WDC letter and DSA’s response thereto; these can be accessed via the links below.

WDC Letter to DSA

DSA Response to WDC

Junior Development

We would like to take this opportunity to inform you of several outstanding Junior Development Programs currently running within Australia. These include Dance Fever in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia; DanceSport Challenge in New South Wales; Footsteps Dance Company in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, ACT, and Queensland; Pamela Humphries Dance Program in Western Australia; and Debbie Sullivan Dance Studios in Western Australia.

DanceSport Australia would like to recognise the outstanding work that these programs do in promoting DanceSport in schools around Australia.

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