On the 9th 10th and 11th 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 10th 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 -
- DSA is openly a member of various International Organisations in Australia including WDSF.
- DSA does not support the exclusion of couples from Competition as a matter of principle.
- DSA has no issue with expressions of support for suspended couples where no specific DSA rule is infringed.
- DSA did not ask for nor did it condone the removal of anyone from the premises.
- DSA has stated that the internal organisation of the event and decisions made were the prerogative of the organiser, ADS.
- 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
Last Updated on Monday, 06 February 2012 16:41
