21/07/10 Dancer43
One comment to the Masters age divisions. I noticed that at the NSW Open there are 3 Masters divisions, over 35, over 50 and over 60 years, in all divisions both partners have to be over this age. Internationally (world championships, major champ.) there are age divisions for over 35, over 45 (both partners) then over 55 and over 65 where one partner can be up to 10 years younger. I think that the division over 60 both partners is a little bit harsh for the older partner (usually the man)having to wait sometimes 5 to 6 years to be able to dance in this division. Otherwise I think that it is a great idea to call this Master 3, much better then "Grand Masters" or similar. Just a note for our Masters 1 couples. If you are both over 45 years you are eligible to represent Australia in the Senior 2 world championships. You don't have to wait to dance Masters 2 in Australia.

21/07/10 Dancer43
Looking for the results of the NCDC I could not believe my eyes.What previously seen only from IDSF comps overseas was here. I could find not only the results of all events but also the number of recalls for all couples in all rounds and thus their actual placing. I hope this system developed by Dallas Williams will be used on many more comps. Today the results announced at the comps are usually by first names only (why) and sometimes only for the first three finalists. I find this very unsatisfactory. So congratulation to NCDC organizers for putting the results on the internet. At the recent Victorian championships the same system was used but nothing is to be found on the internet.

14/07/10 Xavier
I was wondering, is there is any way to find out the competitor who has won the most comp in one style throught this site? let say I want to know in qld in 2010 who has won the most master 1 level 1 latin. Hope is not a silly question. Thank you

08/07/10 Opium
Why dont event promoters list the Syllabus of Events trying to find out info on the dances for the NSW open does anyone know. Its great having a calendar listing events but with no more info its pretty useless. feed up chasing promoters to find out. The web page is for info why dont they use it.

08/06/10 Chelle
I like the idea of a billeting register as it can be expensive when people travel interstate and to the country comps to dance especially when they have to pay for travel, accommodation and food.

06/05/10 Observer 3
It would appear that to obtain Level 1 Coach accreditation, you do not have to be a Level 5 competitor in the specific style for which you are seeking accreditation for. For example, it would seem that as long as you are 'a Level 5 competitor',you can obtain accreditation for a style for which you may not have achieved Level 5 competitive status. I think it should be made very clear that a Level 5 competitor can only gain Level 1 Coaching Accreditation for the style in which they have achieved level 5 status.

06/05/10 David H
For those who might be having trouble finding those important documents, perhaps a couple of hints will help. Clicking on the "Competitors" link will lead you to "Important Member Information" which contains the Rules of DanceSport, Constitution, Privacy Statement and other Competition Rules. Clicking on Coaches and Adjudicators gives you the same "Important Member Information" and also includes "Updating Your Accreditation" where you can find the Accreditation List, DSA Accreditation Syllabus, Accreditation Level "0" Policy, Continuing Professional Development, Recognition of Prior Learning, and Application for recognition of Prior Learning.

13/04/10 Anna
To David H. Just to let you know there is a feedback button to the edge of your screen where you can put any suggestions to improving the current structure of the site. And others or yourself can vote on which suggestions you think have merit to change. Once you click the feedback button, there is a "Go to our Feedback Forum" link, which opens up another dialog box, where you "Enter your idea". Hope this helps yourself and others too.

13/04/10 Oberver 2
To David H. I agree with your comments. The information is not entirely for members only, it is an opportunity for DanceSport Australia, a recognized sporting body to inform and promote our sport to all. Rules, Guidelines,Accreditation,Member Protection Policy, Drug polices also inform others, including parents and people interested in dance be it social or competitive. DSA is a wonderful organization and it should proudly place the information up front, easy to access for all to see.

08/04/10 CEO
" Thanks David H - The point beimg made by you has some validity. DSA is very prepared to consider those suggestions. However, we don't wish to make ad-hoc changes to the structure of the web site on a one off basis every time someone has an idea, albeit of value. We need to consider all commets and suggestions as a whole, and make those all adjustments once only (i.e. all together). DSA will wait for a period to let the new web site structure settle down, and then consider suggestins and what adjustments are required. Steve Edwards.....CEO DanceSport Australia"

07/04/10 David H
Could I suggest that the "Important Member Information" which appears on the page after you click on "Competitors", be transferred to the Home Page where it is much easier to see. The section contains the Rules, Constitution and other important documents which are very difficult to find otherwise.

04/04/10 Observer 1
Elevation Rule Changes I think this is an opportunity missed. Creating a quicker route for Level 1 competitors to reach level 2 suggests somewhere along the line somebody wants Level 1's to elevate quicker than any other level. Would it not have been simpler and more effective to simply cut out Level 1 and merge it with level 2. The missed opportunity was to commence a planned approach to reducing the overall number of Levels.

18/03/10 Steven
Thanks Obsrever 1, I almost agree wth some of your points. The organisers of large, well established events are in a difficult place - a change may course loss ie: revenue or prestige. Smaller events have the best option because if a change happens to be negitive then the loss is less but if the change is positive then the outcome could be major benifit to them personally and to the industry. You mention combining levels which would make some sense to me personally is not the future trend. You see there are people who dont like the fact that its difficult to win in the lower levels or that the lower levels have lots of competitors. So they would recommend changing rules to enable competitors with less experience to elevate to the next level.
I know I'm slighly changing topics but I feel it needs to said s o people understand the direction we could be taking. As a competitors would you prefere more competitors and have to work harder or would you like less and move through the levels faster? I do believe we need to change something in the lower levels but fostering and encouaging couples through the grades because it crowded is in my own opinion not the best option.

17/03/10 Observer 1
Steven, Looking back on my earlier comment it could be interpreted that I agreed with All of Tango 10, point taken on that aspect. My main focus as a long time competitor is to see Open events only at major titles. Don't get me wrong, there is a place for Graded events to encourage competitors, but for arguments sake, do we need 5 levels. Level 4 is lightly loaded, level 5 comps hardly exist at all, so with majority in Levels 1,2 and 3 maybe there is an option to combine Levels 1 and 2, and then 3, 4 and 5 to make only two Graded levels. You could then have perhaps an Open A Championship for the former levels 3-5 and an Open B Championship for the former Levels 1 and 2, now that would be a challenge for organisers, and imagine the savings on trophies. Good to see the Discussion Forum working again. A nd I do like the new format of the website.

17/03/10 Steven
Thank you for clarifying your position Observer 1. You will note that you agreed entirely with Tango 10 who asked to ablolish levels and have competitors dance 4 dance events. However at the present moment level 1 & 2 have the majority of entrants at a competition so why would not having these competitors participating help the industry or even there experience? I realise you mentioned that events could be open to all and repecharge events would be the option but this has been done in the past at several points in time by several organisers. The reason we have levels over this option is this is what the Australian dancer may wanted. I dont wish to discourage change but we should change the system if its an improvement all not just the people who have the experience and skill to dance in 5 dance events.

17/03/10 Steven
If the reply is from Observer 1 you are correct but you should understand that the very strong words written by Tango 10 and you agreeing with those comments without clarety meant you agreed with them. Thank you for clarifying your position. However at the moment the majority of competitors in Australia are below level 3. If they dont turn up to an event at all it would be very hard to justify any sort of an event.

16/03/10
Response to Steven. If you look at my comments a little more closely, you will see that I have not suggested removing Levels at all. All I am suggesting is for Graded (Level) competitors to be given their opportunities to compete in their Grades (Levels)outside the National Championship and State Championship events. This would then enable the National and State Championship events to be only Open to all events where the Grade couples can compete in the usual way.

15/03/10 Steven
In reply to Tango 10 and Obsrever 1, As a long term individual in this industry I have always been involved in this activity at a club level. Its called a "studio". The studio have always been apart of a "society". We all (including the individuals) associated ourselves a Governing body.... Over the years it changes names and been fashionable to belong to different societies and studios. Just like in all sports. All sports have there groups, popular today gone tommorow. Lets not make a change so we can have what we already have. Our industry doesn't need another countries or organisations ideologies impressed on us with its iron fist. Our events in Australia are open to all competitors and should remain this way. Lets not move down the path of not including our less experienced or forcing them into events that they could not even compete in. So therefore they dont. The levels need to stay.

15/03/10 Accreditation
To Observer 1 - With regard to multiple examiners vs single examiners. You will be pleased to hear that only coaching exams require a single examiner. All Adjudicator examinations require a panel of three.

14/03/10 Observer 1
At last a reaction on Accreditation. Agree entirely with Tango 10, nothing wrong with having Open events. A challenge perhaps for Championship promoters, run all National and State Championships as Open events only, then you will have a real championship. Let the individual Societies in the States run there Level events as they please as a training ground for the Open Championship events at State and National levels. If DSA were to make it a condition of a National Championship that it be run only as an Open event, and using the Repechage system in the elimination rounds we would have a much better event. It would provide a real challenge for serious competitors. Plenty of opportunity for Grade couples to compete at smaller events to have their moment of glory at the Grade level. It would be cheaper for everybody to run a Major Open Championship if it could all be done in one day, without all the Grade events having to be run at the same time. Or is too much of a Challenge for DSA having Promoters in its ranks to change the Championship Rules for State and National Championships.

13/03/10 David
Dear Vonnien, I think the list of events you are looking for is located in the General Information section under Competitors or Coaches and Adjudicators. The Upcoming Events lists all the events that DSA is aware of and whether the event has been formally registered with DSA.

 13/03/10 Vonnien
Hello, Just wanted to say that the new site looks great! and much more appealing to read Well Done to all concerned. Can I make a suggestion. Is it possible to put a complete Calender up with events each month from every state. Rather than having to go state by state it would be great to see all the comps around Australia for each month so you can make a decision which ones you will attend. When you are interstate you have to think carefully as to which one you will attend by the time you book accommodation and flights and entry tickets and food etc. it is not unusual that a trip will cost you $1,000. Is it possible to have a billeting register. I don't know what others think but that would allow interstaters to travel more, if one expense was reduced.

13/03/10 Tango 10
I agree in regards to the Accreditation Commission. All the good work done up till now must now continue so that our standards continue to lead the world in our sport. The new National Council must continue to promote our sport and raise membership levels and the profile of our sport so that it appears in the sports pages regularly alongside all the other sports. We must be seen in the sports community and not just a background player.... Bring on a club structure and ranking events for all competitors in Open events....Why not abolish levels and run with open events only as they do in other countries.... let all competitors dance 4 dances in a comp......