Dancesport and Competition Dancing

People of all ages and all levels of experience can compete in the sport of Dancesport. Dancesport competitions are graded from novice/medallist (not graded), then from Level 1 (or "E" grade) to Level 5 ("A" grade). All that's needed to compete is a partner and the motivation to achieve the personal goals you set for yourself with the help of your coach.

Dancesport competitors can compete in the styles of Latin American, Standard (or Modern) Ballroom and New Vogue (or Old Time dancing) . Some couples choose to compete in all three styles, while others prefer to compete in only one or two styles. This is a personal choice for each couple.

Each dancesport couple has a coach who will choreograph their routines and take them for private lessons to prepare them for each competition. Competitions are held at different times throughout the year and each couple can pick and choose which ones they wish to enter.

Our Dancesport Coaches

Brenda Eland (Latin American)

2001 Australian Professional Latin American Runner-Up
2002 Victorian Professional Latin Champion

Brenda first became involved in ballroom dancing at the age of 13 and was immediately hooked. She also dabbled in jazz ballet and hip hop, including competition, but always returned to ballroom dancing.

Brenda first started competing in 1989 and placed 2nd in the Professional Latin at the Australian Dancesport Championships in 2001, winning the Samba. Brenda retired from competition in 2002 but continued to dance as a latin dancer in a 6 man show at the Copacobanna International restaurant in Fitzroy twice a week.

Brenda coached the 2002 Australian Juvenile Level 1 Latin American Champsions and the 2003 Victorian Juvenile Latin American Champions.

Jeremy Garner (Latin American)

Jeremy Garner has been dancing since he was nine years old. Jeremy spent ten years competing in Europe and studying under the world’s best.

A six-time Australian Amateur Latin American finalist who has represented Australia at numerous IDSF World Latin Championships, Jeremy’s appeared on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and was assistant choreographer for Dancing with the Stars Australia.

Jeremy has returned home from Broadway and the West End to Australia after a 5 year stint with Burn The Floor.

David Foote (Standard)

David Foot has been dancing since 1995 and teaching for 9 years. David competed in Modern ballroom from 1996 to 2009 but is on temporary hiatus while studying Sports Kinesiology fulltime. Given his interest in sports kinesiology and human movement it is only natural that his focus when dancing and when teaching dance is on movement, couple connection and balance.

David coached the 2011 Masters 1 Level 1 Victorian Champions and 2011 Open Medallist Victorian Champions.

David says, “I enjoy teaching dance, watching couples, developing their confidence and movement. Dance should be expressed with ease and style. It shouldn’t be hard to do.”

Damian Tham (New Vogue & Standard)

Damian is currently competing in all 3 Dancesport styles: Standard, Latin American and New Vogue and holds his Level O coaching accreditation according to Dancesport Australia regulations. While Damian is an excellent coach in all 3 styles, his preference is New Vogue, followed by Standard. His easy going personality and cheeky sense of humour will put you at ease from the word go. Damian has won the Latin American section at the Australian Championships each year (ie: for every grade) with the exception of 2010 when his partner was injured during the competition.

Please contact us for information on competing in dancesport events.