About NI Dancesport

NI Dancesport is a membership organisation for dancers in Northern Ireland.

 

Our mission is to promote and develop the world of Dancesport in the region, and to provide a supportive community for dancers of all levels. We offer a range of services including dance classes, workshops, social events, competitions and a growing membership base.

 

 Our team is passionate about sharing the joy of dance and helping our members achieve their goals.

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Currently we are supporting dance disciplines in line with the

World Dancesport Federation and World Dance Council genres:

 

• International Ballroom (Slow Waltz, Quickstep, Slow Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz)

• International Latin (Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Jive, Paso Doble)

• American Smooth (Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz)

• Sequence (Classical / Old Time, Modern Ballroom, Modern Latin)

• Caribbean (Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha)

• Acrobatic Rock n Roll

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We aim to support elite dancer to progress to represent Northern Ireland on an International level. We are working with Republic of Ireland, British, European and World dance organisations to ensure our dancers have competitions available at every level.

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Dancers are categorised first by age:

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Juvenile I - Up to and including Age 7

Juvenile II - 8 & 9 yr olds

Juvenile III - 10 & 11 yr olds

Junior I - 12 & 13 yr olds

Junior II - 14 & 15 yr olds

Youth I - 16, 17 & 18 yr olds

Youth II - 19, 20 & 21 yr olds

Adult - 22 to 34 yrs

Senior I - 35 to 44 yrs (1 partner must be over 35 and the other no younger than 30)

Senior II - 45 to 54 yrs (1 partner must be over 45 and the other no younger than 40 yrs)

Senior III - 55 to 64 yrs (1 partner must be over 55 yrs and the other no younger than 50 yrs)​

Senior IV - 65 yrs and over

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then further categorised by experience:

 

Beginner  / E Class (WDSF) = Pre-Bronze Syllabus 

Novice / D Class (WDSF) = Up to Bronze Syllabus 

Intermediate / C & B Class (WDSF) = Up to Silver Syllabus 

Advanced / A Class / Pre-Championship = Up to Gold Syllabus 

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Dancers entering graded competitions will be restricted in their use of 'closed' choreography as follows:

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Beginner  = Pre-Bronze Syllabus 

Novice = Up to Bronze Syllabus 

Intermediate = Up to Silver Syllabus 

Advanced = Up to Gold Syllabus 

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Syllabus and Competition Rules can be found in our File Library.

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We are planning to launch the following competitions by 2030:

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Belfast Titanic Cup (28th March 2026) – An Amateur Graded Competition with Ballroom, Latin, Salsa, Bachata, Smooth, Classical/Modern/ Latin Sequence for Solos and Pairs

 

Peggy Spencer Club Challenge – A competition between Dance Clubs / Schools including all styles and Formation Teams 

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Northern Ireland Open Championships – A mixture of Amateur, Professional and Pro/Am competitions open to anyone from anywhere 

 

Northern Ireland Closed Championships – A mixture of Amateur & Professional but only NI Dancesport members are eligible 

 

Northern Ireland Festival – A celebration of all styles of partner dancing with several days of friendly competitions, social nights and workshops. 

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Join us today and become part of the NI Dancesport family!