Welcome to our May Update for DanceSport Australia.

There are two challenges directly affecting DanceSport at this time and whilst they pose separate solutions the challenges are intertwined. They are:

• How do we address the falling number of spectators at DanceSport events,
• How do we get the message ‘out there’ about the positive benefits and visual attraction of our sport?

Both challenges are connected in a somewhat circular fashion, less spectators = less awareness. Less awareness = less spectators.

This newsletter is dedicated to discussing these challenges and how DanceSport Australia is responding. Of course DanceSport Australia has no ‘magic answers' but we do have a team of dedicated volunteers who are working on solutions.

Remember that as Members - DanceSport Australia is your organisation - and without the input of Members this organisation will cease to exist! DanceSport needs all Members to get involved from volunteering at competitions through to spreading the word. There will be the possibility of sharing a video to friends and family - inspiring the next generation is priceless!

Finally, the newsletter you are reading is integrated into the DSA database. If you are an Amateur or Recreational competitor it will calculate your current points status along with your current grade. If you are a competitor the number is shown below.

This level of integration of newsletter and database is possible because of DSA's investment in a dedicated web server. A dedicated web server opens a whole new level of on-line functions. Only a few years ago this was science fiction! How can this benefit DanceSport? Read on to find out ...

Public awareness of DanceSport

How many times have you been at a DanceSport competition and marvelled at the time and effort to bring it all together, yet no one outside of DanceSport would know of its existence. This is a major problem facing our sport and getting our message out there in today’s, time poor environment is getting harder. Really what can DanceSport do?

Certainly media advertising would improve awareness but the cost is prohibitive. Sponsors I hear you say? Yes sponsors can pay for advertising but sponsors are not interested unless DanceSport has a decent base they can use for marketing. Once again, a circular argument not in our favour.

So the challenge is how to raise awareness in a sustainable, cost effective way that can interest sponsors to support DanceSport. The DanceSport Video Service was designed for this very reason and Members can help spread the word.

Let's be blunt ... the DanceSport Video Service was not built so that competitors can look at themselves, the DanceSport Video Service has been designed to SHARE!   Every clip in the libary has a unique share button that can post directly to Facebook. This enables Members to share specific video with friends and family.

Everyone should keep in mind that the recording of competitions is just a starting point for this service. Suggestions have been made for tutorial videos from Recreational routines through to dress decorating. Members can access the Video Service through their P5000.org login. Here you will find a big yellow button that will take you to the library.

Click here to find out how the DanceSport Video Service works and how it performed at the recent Queensland Championship - QNDC.

The next competition featured will be the Gold Coast Classic this weekend followed by D.A.N.C.E. Wollongong on the 24 and 25 June.

How to get more spectators at competitions

Many surveys have been done over the past decade - and there is an overriding theme - the cost of DanceSport competitions is a deterrent to spectators.

No real surprise, I mean we have all been there; reluctant to ask friends or family to come and see us dance because the cost of watching was too high. Of course less spectators means less atmosphere, so next time the competition is run, there will probably be fewer again.

Free Admission at DanceSport Development Competitions

A ‘Development Competition Pilot Program’ was introduced at the start of 2017. The cost for spectators has been addressed in the actual definition of the competition registration; spectators have FREE ADMISSION.

Key features of a ‘Development Competition’ is:

• Spectators attend free of charge,
• Competitors pay a small Entry Fee per event (usually $5) to cover costs.

Development Competitions require a substantial support from volunteers to function, The payoff for all - is a raised awareness of DanceSport - from people who have never experienced a DanceSport Event. So far there are a couple of Development Competitions on the calendar for Victoria, and other States are busy working towards this goal.

Click here to to find Development Competitions (marked in red) on the DSA CALENDAR.

Of course this is just one aspect that is different about these competitions so;

Click here and follow the link to find out more about the structure of ‘Development Competitions’.

Whilst ‘Development Competitions’ have been introduced to combat lack of spectators at small and studio based competitions, there is a real problem for larger competitions. This is due to costs (and restrictions) rising dramatically over the past decade. For example large venues do not allow Oganisers to print their own Admission Tickets. For legal reasons this must be done through a specialised company like ‘Ticket Master’, adding cost and complexity to the procedure

General Admission Ticket Cost

Currently the majority of the people attending events are competitors; therefore competitors are mostly funding the competitions. Spectators are also charged the same amount so that when General Admission Tickets are $60-$70, or more, spectator numbers fall sharply. DanceSport Australia learnt this lesson last year at D.A.N.C.E. in Canberra with a good showing of competitors but low spectator attendance.

The move to Wollongong has allowed a rethink. Consultation with Wollongong Council & local Wollongong business have determined that General Admission Tickets start at $40 for adults and $20 for children, (free under 5years). There is confidence we will attract more spectators and so far ticket sales have confirmed this.

Of course in a perfect world the increase in spectators would pay the cost of running the competition and maybe one day this will be the case, however at this time DanceSport remains a ‘user pays’ sport. The challenge becomes how to set the Competition Entry fees so that competitors pay similar (or less) than they did for attending D.A.N.C.E. Canberra.

Click Here to read the D.A.N.C.E. Wollongong Competition Entry Fee structure.