Why not participate ?

mercredi 19 mars 2008 00:17

There are just a few significant IDSF and only a handful of worthwhile competitions every year.  In some countries even less.

Why do some  dance teachers instruct their students not to attend the competitions organized by another dance club/studio ?

What  lies behind their reasons ?

Is it a good advice ? 

Does it not deprive their very students of an opportunity to benefit from the experience ? 

How do these teachers justify  saying they have  the best interest of their students in mind when instructing them not to dance in 'such and such'  ?

Isn't such a behaviour detrimental to dancesport,  unity ?

Competitions allow dancers to gain experience and to compete against different dancers. 

What benefit is in entering competitions and measuring skills against your own studio members ?  Might as well save your moneys,  and hold an annual  club event. 

Is there a deeper reason ?  Or is it all about recalls, who marks who, who pushes whom,  and does it all come to a competition amongst  individual dance clubs/studios  ? 

Who comes out a winner ?  Dancers ?  Organizers ? Paying spectators ? Dancesport ?

Who  holds the best interest of dance in minds when telling their students not to dance  ?

I am NOT talking about  the approved and  publicly spoken about restrictions by IDSF, CADA and others  regarding unsanctioned competitions.

 I am refering to the secret maneuverings which are just too well known but just whispered amongst the dancers. 

 The  paying public is getting more and more frustrated by not being able to see more dancers from different clubs competing under the same roof together.

Paying high fees for predictable outcome competitions is not rewarding, and may results in  less interest in dance competitions. Is is also costly to the organizers and to the dancers.

Sure, you may get your trophy,  but have you won it against the best in your category  ?   What is the meaning of having such a trophy ?   Do you travel the vast distances, pay all the fees to dance against those you  practice with,  you enjoy dancing just Finals ?