There are about eight or so, small competitions during the year. They are sponsored by the AIDA, (Australian Irish Dancing Association) or INDA (Irish National Dance Association) or dance schools or community groups. Competitions are held in Church halls, school halls, and increasingly at nicer venues such as airconditioned sporting or community clubs. During the week before the competition your teacher will tell you what time your child's age group is dancing. Or you can get the times from notices on the web or in NSW you can get them from the competion section of this site. On the day of the competition you need to be at the venue at least half an hour before the time of your child’s dance time. Sometimes the competition will run late, but never on the day that you’re running late! On arrival you will pay an admission fee, (which also includes a “lucky door” prize raffle ticket). There are normally concessions for pensioners. You then need to register your child at the official table (usually at the side of the stage). The organizers will cross off her name. You will be given a number and this will be pinned on the front of the dress so the Judge can see it easily. Keep pins in the dance bag in case they run out of them. It is best if you keep a copy of your entry form in case you forget what you have entered.

If you are lucky there will be a program, sometimes taped up on the wall. When the section is called she goes on her own to the side of the stage under the direction of one of the organisers.
The small beginners will dance three at a time on the stage together. Your child will be dancing different steps from the the other children on the stage and the hardest thing for her is not to be distracted by them.

The order of competition within your child’s age group is...

Beginners then Primary Elementary Intermediate (or Non-prizewinners) Open

At very big competitions they sometimes hold Beginners and Primary on one weekend and Intermediate & Open on the next. These are not the only divisions. Your child will be competing against children of the same age. Age is taken as at 1 January each year. If your child was born in January your child will be one of the older children.

Age Groups

At your first competition, you will probably be entered for two dances the JIG (which the children sometimes call `Hop and Hop’) , the REEL ( called “over 2,3”) or an EXTRA JIG (Hop and Hop again) if she doesn’t know the Reel. Beginners usually go first and then the other grades; then the next type of dance starts again with the beginners. After each grade has finished all these dances, prizes may be given out. Sometimes however at smaller competitions, the prizes are given out after the Premiership (which is not for Beginners). You must allow at least 3 hours for your first competitions.

Judging

The marking system is standard world wide. Solo dancers are judged equally on timing, steps, execution and method, and deportment and style. In smaller competitions there is only one judge. At State level there are three judges and at National level three international judges come to Australia. Two or three dancers compete on stage together. The dances are quite short and judging is instantaneous. Later in your career you might like to find out about how big competitions are judged and the scores allocated don't click here if you are a beginner

What if....

If your child’s shoe lace comes undone she can stop, move to the back of the stage and stay still till the others dancers finish and leave the stage with them. She can retie her shoe and dance again at the end of the section.
If your child falls and doesn’t hurt herself she just gets up quickly and keeps dancing. If she can’t dance she waits quietly at the back of the stage and leaves when the music stops. She may be allowed to redance if she doesn't leave the stage during the dance.

Prizes

Little medals are given out to place getters. All competitors are invited onto the stage and the results are read out in reverse order. For young Beginners often every competitor will get some sort of medal, which is seen as an encouragement award. Trophies are given out at Premiership level. Always have pen and paper to write down your child’s results or you’ll forget. Better yet, keep a "dance diary" to track your child's progress. When the little medals start to accumulate you'll be glad if you have written on the back the date, dance, level and place your child gained. You are welcome to video the prize giving, but the AIDA does not allow the filming of competitors while dancing.

Competition Check List