Wollongong is putting its best foot forward this weekend in an attempt to make the DanceSport Australia National Championship Event (D.A.N.C.E.) an annual event in the city.
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After 35 years in Canberra the Australian Institute of Sport venue previously used is no longer available and that has provided the opportunity for the WIN Entertainment Centre to host all the glitz and glamour of the world class dancing event.
Destination Wollongong helped secure D.A.N.C.E. which was also looking at Melbourne. The two days of dancing is expected to inject more than $250,000 into the Illawarra economy.
For Illawarra DanceSport enthusiasts such as Sandy Rae having such a high standard dancing showcase in Wollongong is a dream come true.
Mrs Rae will be at the WEC all weekend watching all the action. And she thinks many people in the local community will enjoy the colour, style and elegance of those who perform at the elite level. But there are sections for dancers of all ages and skill levels.
“340 couples are coming to Wollongong for the three day event,” Mrs Rae said.
Along with the 680 competitors there will be around 150 officials and 1500 spectators mostly from interstate.
Ticket prices have been dropped by more than half what they were in Canberra to make the highest standard ballroom and latin dancing more accessible to anyone interested. They can be purchased from Ticketmaster. Those for Saturday can be used between 9am and 10pm and those on Sunday from 9am to 8pm.
“Tickets were $85 for adult in the ACT. In Wollongong they have been dropped down to $40 for adults and $20 for children. Based on the success of the event in the first year, there may be an opportunity to lock D.A.N.C.E. in for the Illawarra for a further three to five years,” Ms Rae said.
D.A.N.C.E. event facts:
- DanceSport is what used to be referred to as competitive Ballroom Dancing and it is now recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
- Age categories range from children under 10 through to adults. There is masters three section for over 65’s.
- The event will accommodate events for all levels of dancer and dance enthusiast from social and first time competitors (recreational divisions) through to Australian champions in the top (open amateur and professional) categories.
- DanceSport is considered both a sporting and a lifestyle activity. It aims to promote and foster positive social skills and team work as well as health and fitness benefits.