Hello Everyone,

Welcome to the Autumn edition of the 2019 DPA Newsletter, number 35. Information that you will find informative & relevant to you, whether you’re a Competitor, Parent, Teacher, Amateur Dance Club or a Competition Promoter – there is something in this edition for you all!

NEW Solo National League

The DPA are proud to announce that the NEW Solo National League commenced on 1st September 2019. This new and innovative venture is open to all Juvenile & Junior solo dancers around the country. It’s very easy to participate. Simply turn up at a competition running the new solo National League events, enter the competitions you are able to dance in and you’ll be automatically entered into the new Solo League. Points will be gained each time you compete at a DPA Members competition.

2020 WDC/Amateur League European Championships

After what was a superb WDC Amateur League European Championship weekend, back in April of this year, plans are already in place for the 2020 presentation of these prestigious & sought after Championships. The DPA are delighted to confirm that this Festival of Dancing which brings the finest competitors from every part of Europe to Blackpool will once again take place in the fabulous Empress Ballroom, Winter Gardens, Blackpool from Friday 10th – Easter Sunday 12th April, 2020. Online entries opened on 1st October 2019. Tickets & reserved
seating went on sale from The Winter Gardens Box Office, shortly after 1st September 2019. The 2020 festival will also see the 1st European titles for Solos. This exciting new range of events will take place on Friday 10th April in The Spanish Hall, Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

Bournemouth Summer Festival 22nd – 26th July 2020

The 31st Bournemouth Summer Festival will again be a 5 day Festival which draws the finest competitors to turn out each day and compete at the very highest level.

Starting on Wednesday 22nd July 2020 with the DPA “Pro – Am”, Teacher / Student & Solos day. This interesting opening day of competitions will once again be presented by the DPA in conjunction with ProAm Champions Limited.

Festival Dinner Dance, Saturday 25th July 2020

As always with the Bournemouth Summer Festival the Saturday evening features the Annual Dinner Dance. In addition to a fabulous meal, the evening includes the Semi – Finals & Grand Finals of The United Kingdom Closed Professional Ballroom & Latin – American Championships, The Amateur Ballroom Championship plus the final round of the Under 21 Ballroom Championship. All of which includes the wonderful live music of Ross Mitchell, His and & Singers. Tickets for this sellout evening will be £59.50 per person and will go on sale early next year.

National League

The 2019/20 National League commenced on 1st March and is now well underway. If you are uncertain as to your current position in any one of the National League tables then visit our website to find out. If you finish in the top 14 couples of the 2019/20 National League in the Beginners, Novice, Intermediate & Pre – Championship grades, you will be invited to participate at the grand finals day at the running of The 2020 Bournemouth Summer Festival in July. The top 13 categories of the National League will be presented with their prize money during the Festivals Annual Dinner Dance on the Saturday evening (25th July). The prize money figures for each place will be awarded as follows to the leading couples;

1st £500, 2nd £250, 3rd £150, 4th £100, 5th £100, 6th £100

GRAND FINALS DAY, THURSDAY 23rd JULY 2020

Free admission for all National League Grand Final qualifiers will be granted to all participating competitors with compliments of the DPA. National League Presentations for Juvenile All – Girls, Under 10’s, Junior All – Girls & Under 14’s;

During the running of The 2020 Bournemouth Summer Festival the Presentation to the winning couples of the Juvenile All Girls, Under 10’s, Junior All Girls & Under 14’s will also be made at various points throughout the 5 day festival.

Keeping to the rules

Could we please remind couples taking part in all National and Super League events that they must adhere to the rules especially those referring to moving up through the grades. If you are unsure, then refer to the DPA website – it’s all there.

May we also remind you that we need to be notified as soon as possible with regard to any partnership splits or terminations, so that the placings of the National League be adjusted accordingly in order that each league table is kept completely up to date.

Point structure for National and Super League will be as follows; Major Events – (United Kingdom Closed, British Nationals, Star & European)

PLACE/POINTS
1ST 26
2ND 24
3RD 22
4TH 20
5TH 18
6TH 16
Semi Final 12
¼ Final 10
Previous Round 8
Previous Round 6

Super League Events ;

PLACE/POINTS
1ST 18
2ND 17
3RD 16
4TH 15
5TH 14
6TH 13
Semi Final 11
¼ Final 10
Previous Round 8
Previous Round 6

National League Events;

The point structure has not changed for these events.

Advertising of all League Points

All promoters must inform the DPA of their intention to run any league point events and advertise the necessary competition in all required media outlets.

League Events – some explanations

Please note that National League points will only be awarded to the following age groups and levels – U/35 and O/35 Beginner/Novice/Intermediate/Pre Champ. No other age categories at these levels will carry points – Promoters, please be aware for your forthcoming competition programmes & would all competitors please take notice. Any DPA member wishing to add a Super League event to their programme then please download the application form from the website, duly complete, sign and forward to the DPA Treasurer Hannah Trever with the appropriate fee.

DPA Sequence

Good news for Sequence competitors for the National League year 2018 – 2019 beginning October 1, 2018.The prize money for the six main categories: Juvenile; Junior; Amateur; Senior; Under 35 Social and Over 35 Social has been increased as follows:-

1st place £300; 2nd place £200 and 3rd place £100.

The United Kingdom Sequence Championships will take place next year on 19th
January 2020 at Walsall Town Hall in the West Midlands.

Amateur Registration or DPA Membership

Anyone considering to enter the competition scene at any level may register with
the DPA. Registration/Membership is FREE to all Competitors. To register, simply complete the application form & register online. Your Registration/Membership cards can then be downloaded. Of course , all dancers must also be registered with the British Dance CouncilIf, however, you are new to promoting, then why not join us and become a member of the DPA. Annual membership is £55 per organisation. An application form is available from DPA
Treasurer Hannah Trever at dpatreasurer@gmail.com

British Dance Council

As a Corporate Member of the British Dance Council, the DPA supports the work done by the British Dance Council.

DPA Calendar of Events

Please refer to the DPA “What’s on” Page of the website for all details of all events being held during the oncoming months. If you wish your events to feature, please contact the DPA enquiries e-mail for details.

Rules of the Association

Following the Annual General Meeting of The DPA in November of 2016, the rule
book of The Association has been reviewed and updated. Anyone wishing to
familiarise themselves with these updates or view any part of the rules may
inspect them on our website.

And Finally ………………………………………

May we take this opportunity to remind you that ALL entries for the WDC
Amateur League European Championships may be submitted online now. The
Festival runs from 10th – 12th April, 2020 and entries opened on 1st October
2019. The closing date for ALL entries is 10th March 2020.
To enter please go to; www.dpaonline.co.uk.