The Sport and Recreation Alliance Annual General Meeting was an absolute highlight for us at the British DanceSport Association. It was truly inspiring to engage with so many different sports and organisations, all sharing the same core principles of movement and dance that we hold dear. I had the pleasure of having an insightful conversation with the Chair of the Movement and Dance Division, and we are incredibly grateful for her time, especially given her busy schedule. Her support and understanding of our shared goals are invaluable as we move forward.
Hearing about the incredible work of other divisions over the past year was equally motivating. The commitment across the board to fostering physical activity and engagement in communities is something we champion wholeheartedly. Our upcoming ‘Let’s Dance’ campaign, spearheaded by the wonderful Angela Rippon, is a testament to that commitment. We are aiming to get as many people as possible involved, whether through the Northern Counties Dance Teachers Association or directly through the British DanceSport Association.
In the next few weeks, we will be producing flyers and more information to spread the word. The idea is to engage with a variety of communities, from educational facilities to nursing homes, sports centres, and other institutions. We are strongly advocating for dance teachers to take the lead by contacting their local schools and communities, but we are more than happy to step in and offer support where needed.
The principle behind ‘Let’s Dance’ on the 2nd of March is to encourage people to continue dancing beyond that day, hopefully creating a lasting passion that leads to more involvement in dance schools and studios. This initiative will be fantastic for the wider dance community and, of course, for those who discover the joy of dancing for the first time.
To top it all off, it was an immense pleasure to meet His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh at the event. His support for the causes we all champion is deeply appreciated and adds a special touch to what was already an incredible gathering.
We look forward to seeing how this campaign unfolds, and we encourage everyone to get involved. Let’s make dancing a national movement!
Neil Harrison
Chief Executive Officer – British DanceSport Association
