Competitions
We also participate in dancesport competitions throughout the year against other universities up and down the country. Even as a complete beginner, you can participate (and win a title!).
Being a member of the dancesport team provides the opportunity to compete. If you want to be a member of the team please speak to a member of the society.
There is no pressure at all to be a member of the team; the flexibility of the society means you can come along for 1 hour a week or attend lessons and practices and aim to partake in competitions – the choice is completely yours.
Why do "Team Stuff"?
Simply: Because it's a lot of fun, and an amazing social scene, as well as a chance to show off what you have learned and represent your university.
Every year we get several hundred dancers who want to dance simply for fun. However there are also a large number that want to dance competitively. We welcome all members to join our society.
Being on the York Dancesport Team allows you to meet other dancers from differnt universities. We can start training people for competitive dancing, as complete beginners, with or without partners. The team captain along with our teacher will suggest the most effective partnerships, and partner up people without partners. Partnerships may change during the year so that we have the most effective team possible.
We take as many people to competitions as possible, to compete generally. Everyone can go along to dance for the day and see what it is about.
If you are interested in becoming part of the team, you need to come along to practice sessions, so that you can improve your ability and get used to working with your partner. Please do talk to us if you have questions.
Details of practice sessions are in the timetable. Any questions not answered email us or speak to one of the society in lessons.
The University competitions are a fun and exciting way to improve your dancing and to socialise with dancers from other universities. There are many competitions that we are capable of entering besides the roses competition.
Furthermore, competitions often feature a demonstration by a professional couple. This is usually stunning and a good way to see what you can do if you put that much time in!
During the day, people wear their own clothes, usually along the lines of clubbing gear: you want to attract attention so skimpy clothes are all the rage. Please talk to the team captain about this. There is no limit on accessories so it is a chance to go wild with sparkly stuff. Some people go nuts with glitter sprays etc, each to their own!
Beginners need to concentrate on Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha and Jive as their dances. Non-Beginners dancers differ, so please talk to the team captain. It may be that you decide to specialise in either Ballroom or Latin, and just do the other discipline for fun, or not at all.
Team dances are: Waltz, Quickstep, Cha and Jive.
Competitions usually cost between £10-£15 depending on how we travel and how many people go.
Before the competition:
On arrival we usually change into the outfits that we will be wearing to compete and get in a bit of extra practice (It's a good way to get used to things before the comp starts). Also, the Team Captain will give all couples a number, which is worn on the man's back so that the judges can identify you as a couple. The team captain will also try to check that you conform to the dress code so that there won't be any embarrassments. We will also try to help you out if you are having any problems.
A typical competition day
Each competition is in sections so that there is time to change from your Ballroom outfit to your Latin outfit. Those involved in team competition will also have to change into team dress at the end of the day. Throughout the day there are periods of practice, which are however usually pretty hectic.
The team event is at the end of the day. There is usually a Team walkout where all of the universities get to present and wear their most outrageous outfits. Couples that take part in this will be chosen by the team captain beforehand. You will also be given new numbers. We try to supply the dresses for this although we only have a limited number. The team dances are Waltz, Quickstep, Cha-Cha and Jive. Each couple will dance one dance.
The Dances
Dances are done in heats so it is important that both you and your partner are ready and together when your number is called. Each dance lasts a couple of minutes and the judges will select numbers for the next round. All couples that get through to the next round are called by number. These rounds may also be done in heats depending on how many people there are. Please keep a listen out for your number. The team captain will try to keep track of you all but you need to be ready and listening. It continues like this until the final. All couples in the final are ranked.