For those who are interested in competition have a look at two very important letters printed today on www. dancesport.uk then dancesport newsnet. One is from Richard Gleave Chairman at Blackpool concerning the banning of IDSF couples who competed in Holland at Assen. The other is from the WDC Coaching Commission, all named. Among other things there is a recemendation that to keep a solid frame can be dangerous, by that I think that to keep the head straight and the frame imovable especially if someone is crossing your path can be dangerous. It goes on to say that The misguided concept that adjudicators will not mark couples who drop their hold must be eradicated. And the Rumba rule for the tempo is 27 bpm but are being played at 24-25 bpm. The committee feels that 24-25 is the prefered tempo of the majority of the coaches and competitors, therefore it is agreed to present a rule change. Theres lots more

Surely adjudicators wouldn't penalise a couple who very briefly drop their hold (particularly the man's left arm) to avoid a collision? That's unreal

Phil. What is more important is the letter by Richard Gleave. I think you know that the Dutch Championships known as Assen as well as the British at Blackpool the International at the Albert Hall and the UK titles at Bournmouth are open to the world and are not under the control of the IDSF. If IDSF members this includes all of the top Amateurs are being victimised, because some did compete at Assen and defied the ban Which Richard Gleave says they are being banned from future IDSF competitions. Then he asks what next. Will it be Blackpool.I look at it this way. If I am a top Amateur then dancing competitively is my Profession. Is it right that I should be told who I can and can't work for. Is it even lawfull. And then we have by tradition.
Those championships mentioned above were in existence long before there ever was a IDSF.
How about some of the competitions in the U.S. Lets not forget it has already happened in Canada.
Just to make it clear some may be wondering why Donnie and Gaynor named their Rumba... Freedom Dance.The above is why. Ladies and Gentlemen there is a war looming on the horizon.

Dancing as an Amat. , would NOT be your Profession-- but your avocation .

There is a clear distinction between the 2-- altho many would like to differ

Terance. What's in a name. If I travel the world competing today in Japan then to Russia then over to the U.S. Dancing at this time in my life is where I would earn my living. In between competitions in my place of residence I teach as well as train. I ask you . Do you believe that I should be told when and where I can compete. If I was a professional I would be completely out of the control of the IDSF, But I am not .I am an Amateur being told who I can work for. This incidentally includes judges. If you judge in that competition you can forget about this one.
I was told that in the very recent competition in the UK . In one event there were 8 heats consisting of 25 couples a heat. That was one event. That's a lot of people being told that you can't go to any competition that we decide not to sanction. .

You missed my point -- completely ! --

Im not disagreeing with you-- I was an Amat. for many yrs--

My point-- again - was, the definition of an Amat ( as we understand it ) is an AVOCATION-- in otherwords, he/she or they, are not gainfully employed in the teaching of dance-- NOT where, when and or how you choose to compete .

I do realise, that without Amat. participation, there would essentially be NO comps !!

And I know-- there has been much bandied about , on the subject of certain levels of amats who are permitted to teach-- as they say in law-- that is a moot point .

"My point-- again - was, the definition of an Amat ( as we understand it ) is an AVOCATION-- in otherwords, he/she or they, are not gainfully employed in the teaching of dance-- NOT where, when and or how you choose to compete ."

This was the case, but is no longer an accurate description of the professionally employed competitors in the IDSF events and amateur division at mixed international events such as Blackpool, UK open, etc.

Am more than well aware of how word usage can be manipulated to fit a circumstance--- it ( the word Amat ) still MEANS what I stated-- how they choose to define it is my bone of contention.

"Am more than well aware of how word usage can be manipulated to fit a circumstance--- it ( the word Amat ) still MEANS what I stated-- how they choose to define it is my bone of contention."

You can personally define it anyway you like, but this discussion is about the comeptition in the subject line, where "amateur" refers to a division now containing many professionally employed dancers.

If the travelling Amateurs were not allowed to earn money there would be very few competitions outside Europe that would be anything other than locals. It works something like this.The ranked couples are invited. Four of them, and that four will reach the final. That gives two locals a chance to make the final. The competitors are happy as well as the promoter and the audience. The fight for that 5th and 6th place creates an interest.