NEWS FOR JUNE 2019

National news

• President's message
• Early advice on National Council Election
• Special Olympics
• Online video of competition events
• Teacher/student clarification
• World Representative selections

State news

• NSW: State Open in September
• NSW: Thank you to Sue
• SA: Movie night fundraising 
• SA: Adelaide spectacular wrap up
• SA: Child Safe Environments
• SA: We need your help
• TAS: Hobart DanceSport Festival wrap up
• VIC: Active April success
• WA: Para Dance progresses
• WA: Free development day went well 
• WA: Sponsor for State Championship

President's message

DanceSport Australia is taking bold steps to embrace the future.

Our new strategic plan is taking advantage of global developments.

Welcoming change

The world is changing rapidly and our sport is moving with it including focusing on better communication with all members, and:

• Fairness for same-sex dance couples
• Diversity
• Active programs
• Respect for women
• DanceSport at the Olympics

Read more on the President's message

National Council Election 2019 early advice 

• Who is eligible to vote
• Who can nominate for election
• When does voting close

DanceSport in Special Olympics

A coup for World DanceSport Federation (WDSF)

DanceSport has been recognised as an official sport discipline within the Special Olympics (SO).

In March this year, at the Special Olympics Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, an agreement was signed between WDSF and SO.

Inclusive

Diversity is important, raising DanceSport's profile as being an inclusive activity and widening our recognition internationally.

DSA president, Gordon Gilkes, said, "Given the focus on inclusivity in emerging digital media strategic plans, this is a critical step forward for our sport."

Read on for more

Check out the Special Olympics website

Online video of competition events in Queensland

The videos for the Queensland Nationals held at Easter and the Gold Coast Classic in May, have been posted on the DSA website.

Delighting competitors, family and friends

Online access to videos from the DanceSport Queensland (DSQ) competitions has shown strong appeal to competitors, family and friends.

It is wonderful to see Queensland leading the way, adding significant value to its dance competitions.

Read up on the benefits Queenslanders are getting

Check out the clips in our DSA video cafe

World Representative selections

Our World Championships representatives from Australia have been announced.

WDC World Professional

Standard

Steven Grinsbergs and Rachelle Plaass

Jared Parnell and Ashley Payet

Latin

Jarryd Byrne and Alarna Donovan

Craig Monley and Sriani Argaet

WDSF World Amateur

Standard

Brodie Barden and Lana Skrgic-de Fonseka

Andrew Nolo and Sarlote Jakse

Latin

Thabang Baloyi and Chang Wan

Brodie Barden and Lana Skrgic-de Fonseka

Read on for more details including age categories and locations

Sue James being presented flowers by Annmarie Sasso and Bob Steele at FATD Winter festival on 5 May 2019. Photo taken by Lionis Photography

NSW will miss Sue James as she retires

At the end of June, Sue James will retire after more than 25 years of active contribution to the NSW dancing industry. She is moving to Dubbo for family and to enjoy her hobby of making beautiful handcrafted quilts.

Over 20 years of service

Sue has been the DSNSW Registrar for 20 plus years and prior to DanceSport Australia was actively involved with the Australian Dancing Board.

Indefatigable service

Sue has been tirelessly involved with ANDA (Australian National Dance Association) and an avid promoter of dancing from the sidelines. Her four children danced and her brother, Greg Smith, is a well-known Australian and British Amateur champion.

Many of us have grown up with Sue being at the numbers table at NSW comps, so this is the end of an era.

Thank you Sue for your wonderful service and contribution, we wish you well in your retirement.

NSW Open DanceSport Championship

Sunday 22 September 2019

Please save the date for the NSW annual event - it's one of the biggest on the national calendar.

The venue will again be at the recently renovated Roundhouse at the University of New South Wales.

It has proven to be a wonderful venue with great facilities, including beautiful sound, lighting and ambience.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Go to NSW Open website

South Australia Movie Fundraiser

Mid-winter treat - Sunday 14 July at 3.30pm

DanceSport SA are raising money for a professional dance program for school children.

Please join us at our annual movie event: Yesterday.

From the director of Slumdog Millionaire and from the writer of Love Actually, director of Sunshine, this musical comedy includes the musical talents of Ed Sheeran.

Yesterday everyone knew The Beatles

The movie is about the story of a musician who finds himself in a world where he is the only person who remembers The Beatles. The cast includes:

• Himesh Patel
• Lily James
• Kate McKinnon

If you're in Adelaide, we'd love to see you there.

Find out more

Adelaide Spectacular DanceSport Championship wrap up

The Adelaide Spectacular held Saturday 13 March 2019 launched the serious start for DanceSport SA's competition year.

Fabulous prizes and cash

On offer was a very generous bounty of over $15,000 in cash and prizes

The gorgeous Wonderland ballroom once again thrilled audiences and dancers.

Victorious visitors

While our local competitors all performed strongly, visitors won many of the open events:

Find out the winners

Child Safe environments for South Australia

DanceSport support

DanceSport SA is keen to ensure DanceSport members are screened for Child Safe environments.

Vigilance by regulatory authorities is on the increase, making sure Child Safe environments are observed by sporting and non-sporting bodies.  

Getting screened

If you officiate, coach, adjudicate or volunteer on a regular basis we encourage you to be screened. Please contact DanceSport SA so we can help you with this process.

For more information

Calling on the South Australian dance community

Help DanceSport grow

DanceSport SA would love to hear from everyone involved in dancing as to how we can help the sport to grow.

Whether you are a studio owner, teacher or social dancer, we all need to work together to ensure this great pastime continues and grows.

Any and all the Branch Board would be happy to hear your thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to chat to us at a cabaret or contact us online.

Contact us

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dancesportsa/

Website: https://dancesport.org.au/state/sa/sa.php

Email: exec.sa@dancesport.org.au

Hobart DanceSport Festival wrap up

Saturday 18 May

The recent Hobart Festival was held in a new venue at Glenorchy this year and it was terrific to observe:

• Recreational division dancers moving up to Amateur
• Increase of children's events
• Our interstate visitors
• Fun novelty event where partners were mismatched (this is correct)

Three times Australian Professional Modern and Latin champion, Alex Schembri ran lessons on the day before the competition.

He also organised sponsorship from an anonymous donor - for which we are very grateful.

Thank you, Alex!

For more details

More than 550 try DanceSport in Victoria's Active April

The Victorian government runs an annual campaign - Premier's Active April - to encourage Victorians to be more physically active.

There are many free activities, from tennis and gym through to walking, with prizes on offer.

Campaign success

Being a major partner means we had a higher profile in the campaign.

Participating DSV studios (Registered Training Facilities) offered five free group lessons which were a hit.

Read more here

Para Dance in Western Australia progresses

Channel 9 coverage

Channel 9's morning show, TODAY Extra, covered Para Dance's 'Come and Try Day', which was well attended.

TODAY Extra featured the day on Monday 13 May, with interviews of Para Dancers and coaches.

See the clip on YouTube

Note 'TODAY Extra' follows the TODAY show on Channel 9 on weekdays.

Disability Support Awards performance

On Saturday 11 May, the Para Dance team was invited to perform at the WA Disability Support Awards Dinner in the Grand Ballroom at Crown, Perth.

A fantastic display was put on by the adult and junior dancers.

Para Dance classes are open to all age groups and are available north and south of the river.

Free development day in Perth went well

International dance coach

In March, DanceSport WA presented a free workshop for all members.

Coaches, amateur and recreational dancers from DanceSport WA joined Barbara Ambroz for lessons in technique and Latin rhythm.

Barbara is a world-class Latin dance coach, lecturer and adjudicator from Slovenia.

With over 30 years of teaching experience, Barbara delights in how students translate information into their own style of dancing.

Due to the success of this event more have been planned.

LiveLighter to sponsor WA Championships

WA's premier state event

DanceSport WA is deep in the planning of the premier state event in WA.

Sponsor confirmed

DanceSport WA is pleased to confirm LiveLighter as the naming rights sponsor for the State Championship to be held on Saturday 26 October.

LiveLighter is a WA Government initiative to help people live healthier lifestyles - to make changes to what they eat and drink, and to be more active.

Go to the website