Oxford University Dancesport Club
Encyclopedia
Oxford University Dancesport Club (OUDC) is one of Oxford University’s largest sports clubs. Founded in 1968 it currently has an annual membership of around 800 members. It runs professionally taught classes in the following dance styles:
Its classes are open to all (including non-university members) and cater to all levels of experience. The Club also runs occasional workshops and a weekly social dance on Sundays in full term and on some Sundays out of term.
The Club’s first coach was Anne O’Hagan, assisted by Lexa Duckett, with the Club’s first Senior Member, Dr. Acheson, and his wife helping out where possible. The Club received its University accreditation in 1969 and by 1971 had 143 members. Initially it was a purely social dancing club – it was only later that it started running medals examinations and competitions.
The first competition in Oxford was held at Rhodes House
on March 8, 1974. The competition was against Cambridge and Oxford won the competition by 106.5pts to 106pts. The judges were the Tanakas, an eminent ballroom dance couple who represented Japan. The two teams have been rivals ever since. Oxford won its first Inter Varsity Dance Competition in 1980, a year after Cambridge won their first such competition. The Club was awarded Full Blue status for women in 1997 and discretionary Full Blue status for men in 2003.
(IVDC) and is the reigning Inter Varsity Dance champion. In 2004 and again in 2006 it won the Intercontinental Dance Festival team match competition, a title it still holds as the competition has not been run since that date.
Each year the Team competes in a Varsity dancesport competition against Cambridge . This consists of an A-Team match, a B-Team match, a Beginners Team match and a variety of other open events. Oxford and Cambridge take it in turns to host the event. Both the A-Team (Varsity) match and the B-Team (Challenge Shield) match are contested by 9 couples from each university. Each University splits its nine couples into three groups of three couples. Each of these groups of three couples then dances against each of the three groups from the other university in each of the four dances (waltz
, quickstep
, cha
and jive
). The results from each of these nine group-to-group matches for each of the four dances are then added together to determine the winning team. The Varsity and Challenge Shield match format is extremely unusual as it requires dancers to be good at both ballroom and latin American style dances.
on 11 occasions. In 2009 he reached the shortlist of three for the Ballroom, Latin and Sequence Teachers Award at the Carl Alan Awards
after being nominated by his peers in recognition of the outstanding quality of his coaching.
. Neil is also Principle of the Rubies Dance Centre.
, quickstep
, cha
and jive
. The highest scoring team wins their college the Acheson Shield. The College with the most points overall across all of the teams they enter takes home the Rob Stevens Memorial Cup. The rules of the competition require that at least one member of each partnership must be an ‘inexperienced dancer’. Hence, the success of a college depends as much on the beginners it recruits as on its established dancers.
A Team
(+) indicates that this couple was also best overall across Oxford and Cambridge in their respective category.
B Team
- BallroomBallroom danceBallroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
- Latin American
- SalsaSalsa (dance)Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins in Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish and African cultures.Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle...
- Argentine TangoArgentine TangoArgentine tango is a musical genre of simple quadruple metre and binary musical form, and the social dance that accompanies it. Its lyrics and music are marked by nostalgia, expressed through melodic instruments including the bandoneon. Originated at the ending of the 19th century in the suburbs of...
- Hip-hopHip hop danceHip-hop dance refers to dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. It includes a wide range of styles notably breaking, locking, and popping which were created in the 1970s by African Americans and made popular by breaking, locking, and...
- Rock’n’RollRock and Roll (dance)Acrobatic Rock'n'Roll is a very athletic, competitive form of dance that originated from lindy hop. Unlike lindy hop, however, it is a choreographed dance designed for performance. It is danced by both couples and groups, either all-female or 4-8 couples together...
Its classes are open to all (including non-university members) and cater to all levels of experience. The Club also runs occasional workshops and a weekly social dance on Sundays in full term and on some Sundays out of term.
History
Prior to the establishment of the Oxford Ballroom Dancing Club (OBDC), (later OUBDC and still later OUDC) undergraduates at the University of Oxford were not allowed to attend the popular Brett’s dancing school in the centre of Oxford, nor attend any public dance at the Carfax Assembly Rooms, Headington Hill Hall or Town Hall. Private dancing lessons were also not permitted. In a bid to provide students at the university with an opportunity to dance a meeting was held on Wednesday May 8, 1968 at the Iffley Road Stadium for all those interested in forming a ballroom dancing club. This first meeting was attended by just over 50 people.The Club’s first coach was Anne O’Hagan, assisted by Lexa Duckett, with the Club’s first Senior Member, Dr. Acheson, and his wife helping out where possible. The Club received its University accreditation in 1969 and by 1971 had 143 members. Initially it was a purely social dancing club – it was only later that it started running medals examinations and competitions.
The first competition in Oxford was held at Rhodes House
Rhodes House
Rhodes House is part of the University of Oxford in England. It is located on the south of South Parks Road in central Oxford, and was built in memory of Cecil Rhodes, an alumnus of the university and a major benefactor.- History :...
on March 8, 1974. The competition was against Cambridge and Oxford won the competition by 106.5pts to 106pts. The judges were the Tanakas, an eminent ballroom dance couple who represented Japan. The two teams have been rivals ever since. Oxford won its first Inter Varsity Dance Competition in 1980, a year after Cambridge won their first such competition. The Club was awarded Full Blue status for women in 1997 and discretionary Full Blue status for men in 2003.
Team
The Club is home to the Oxford University Dancesport Team, one of the most successful university dancesport teams in the country. The Team, which usually consists of 24 couples, competes at a number of university circuit dancesport competitions during the year, including the Inter Varsity Dance CompetitionInter Varsity Dance Competition
The Inter Varsity Dance Competition is an annual student dancesport competition organised by Inter Varsity Dance Association . The IVDA write rules regarding entries, dress code and which dances will be part of the competition....
(IVDC) and is the reigning Inter Varsity Dance champion. In 2004 and again in 2006 it won the Intercontinental Dance Festival team match competition, a title it still holds as the competition has not been run since that date.
Each year the Team competes in a Varsity dancesport competition against Cambridge . This consists of an A-Team match, a B-Team match, a Beginners Team match and a variety of other open events. Oxford and Cambridge take it in turns to host the event. Both the A-Team (Varsity) match and the B-Team (Challenge Shield) match are contested by 9 couples from each university. Each University splits its nine couples into three groups of three couples. Each of these groups of three couples then dances against each of the three groups from the other university in each of the four dances (waltz
Waltz (International Standard)
Waltz is one of the five dances in the Standard category of the International Style ballroom dances. It was previously referred to as Slow Waltz or English Waltz....
, quickstep
Quickstep
The quickstep is a light-hearted member of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events...
, cha
Cha-cha-cha (dance)
The Cha-cha-cha is the name of a dance of Cuban origin.It is danced to the music of the same name introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in 1953...
and jive
Jive (dance)
In Ballroom dancing, Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time that originated in the United States from African-Americans in the early 1930s. It was originally presented to the public as 'Jive' in 1934 by Cab Calloway. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance...
). The results from each of these nine group-to-group matches for each of the four dances are then added together to determine the winning team. The Varsity and Challenge Shield match format is extremely unusual as it requires dancers to be good at both ballroom and latin American style dances.
Beginners team
The Club also has a Beginners Team. This consists of dancers who have not received professional tuition in ballroom or latin American dancing prior to the Inter Varsity Dance Competition of the previous year. There are separate Beginners events at all the University circuit dancesport competitions and the Beginners Team has its own match at the annual Oxford Cambridge Dancesport Varsity competition. In 2010 the OUDC Beginners Team won the Beginners Team competition at the Varsity match and was 2nd at the Inter Varsity Dance Competition. In 2011, the Team won the Best Beginners Team trophy at the Inter Varsity Dance Competition.Bruce Richardson
Bruce Richardson is the Club's Head Coach. As such he has ultimate responsibility for all coaching within the Club (including the employment of other coaching staff) and for all trials and selections for the Team and Beginners Team. Bruce, who was trained by ballroom dancer Guy Howard (the creator of the IDTA Ballroom Technique book) has been the Club's ballroom coach for many years and has a considerable record of success in university dancesport. Teams trained by Bruce have been victorious at the Inter Varsity Dance CompetitionInter Varsity Dance Competition
The Inter Varsity Dance Competition is an annual student dancesport competition organised by Inter Varsity Dance Association . The IVDA write rules regarding entries, dress code and which dances will be part of the competition....
on 11 occasions. In 2009 he reached the shortlist of three for the Ballroom, Latin and Sequence Teachers Award at the Carl Alan Awards
Carl Alan Awards
The Carl Alan Awards is an awards event held annually in the United Kingdom and honouring people who have made a significant contribution to the dance and theatre industry, such as teachers, performers and choreographers...
after being nominated by his peers in recognition of the outstanding quality of his coaching.
Neil Kelly
Neil Kelly teaches the Club’s latin medals classes, the Beginners Team latin classes and provides private lessons to Team members and others. A highly experienced dance professional with over 14 years teaching experience Neil has received training from some of the best coaches in the world, including well-known latin teacher, Julie Laird, wife of the late Walter LairdWalter Laird
Walter William Laird was a major influence in the development of Latin American dancing in Britain after the Second World War. He was World Professional Latin Dance Champion three times. He coached many successful dancers including Allan Tornsberg, Vibeke Toft, Espen Salberg, Jukka Haapalainen,...
. Neil is also Principle of the Rubies Dance Centre.
Zoey Price
Zoey coaches the Club’s competitive ballroom technique classes and provides ballroom private lessons to Team members and others. Together with her husband, Anthony, she is an active competitor at UK and international ballroom competitions and they are the former United Kingdom Closed Professional ballroom champions.Bea Prentiss
Bea teaches the Club’s salsa and rueda classes. A specialist in Cuban style salsa she also directs the Club’s Komrades salsa display team.Cuppers
The Club runs an annual inter-college dancesport competition called Cuppers. Colleges enter teams of four couples. Each couple performs one of four dances: waltzWaltz (International Standard)
Waltz is one of the five dances in the Standard category of the International Style ballroom dances. It was previously referred to as Slow Waltz or English Waltz....
, quickstep
Quickstep
The quickstep is a light-hearted member of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events...
, cha
Cha-cha-cha (dance)
The Cha-cha-cha is the name of a dance of Cuban origin.It is danced to the music of the same name introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in 1953...
and jive
Jive (dance)
In Ballroom dancing, Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time that originated in the United States from African-Americans in the early 1930s. It was originally presented to the public as 'Jive' in 1934 by Cab Calloway. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance...
. The highest scoring team wins their college the Acheson Shield. The College with the most points overall across all of the teams they enter takes home the Rob Stevens Memorial Cup. The rules of the competition require that at least one member of each partnership must be an ‘inexperienced dancer’. Hence, the success of a college depends as much on the beginners it recruits as on its established dancers.
Inter Varsity Dance Competition
| Year | A Team | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1st | 1st |
| 2010 | 1st | 1st |
| 2009 | 2nd | 3rd |
| 2008 | 2nd | 2nd |
| 2007 | 2nd | 2nd |
| 2006 | 2nd | 2nd |
| 2005 | 2nd | 1st |
| 2004 | 1st | 1st |
| 2003 | 1st (joint) | 1st |
| 2002 | 1st | 1st |
| 2001 | 1st | 1st |
| 2000 | 2nd | 1st |
Oxford Cambridge Dancesport Varsity match
| Year | A Team (Varsity match) | B Team (Challenge match) |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Oxford | Cambridge |
| 2010 | Oxford | Oxford |
| 2009 | Cambridge | Cambridge |
| 2008 | Cambridge | Cambridge |
| 2007 | Cambridge | Cambridge |
| 2006 | Oxford | Oxford |
| 2005 | Oxford | Oxford |
| 2004 | Oxford | Oxford |
| 2003 | Oxford | Oxford |
| 2002 | Oxford | Oxford |
| 2001 | Oxford | Oxford |
| 2000 | Oxford | Oxford |
A Team
| Year | Best Oxford ballroom couple | Best Oxford latin couple | Best Oxford couple |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Oliver Zeldin & Haibo E (+) | Ivan Lubenko & Helen Pearce (+) | Ivan Lubenko & Helen Pearce (+) |
| 2010 | Oliver Zeldin & Marja Verbon (+) | Peter Kecskemethy & Sarah Farrell (+) | Ivan Lubenko & Helen Pearce (+) |
| 2009 | Oliver Zeldin & Marja Verbon (+) | William Lee & Sarah Farrell (+) | William Lee & Sarah Farrell (+) |
| 2008 | Ian Preston & Charlotte Woolley | Ivan Lubenko & Pippa Underwood | |
| 2007 | Ian Preston & Charlotte Woolley | Ozzie Uhiara & Sarah Farrell | Ozzie Uhiara & Sarah Farrell |
| 2006 | Sugata Kaviraj & Alice Pocklington (+) | Matthew Jones & Pippa Underwood (+) | Sugata Kaviraj & Alice Pocklington (+) |
| 2005 | Sugata Kaviraj & Andrea Zitna Nicholas Faull & Ju Min Wong (joint) (+) |
Nicholas Faull & Ju Min Wong (+) | Nicholas Faull & Ju Min Wong (+) |
| Year | Best Newcomer | Black Horse Trophy |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Hsueh Qu & Sarah Glatte (+) | Charlie Byers & Amanda Unsworth |
| 2010 | Melvin Chen & Patricia Waszczuk (+) | Alex Grey & Tamasin Graham |
| 2009 | Joseph Chedrawe & Ginger Turner (+) | |
| 2008 | Oliver Zeldin & Francesca Barrow | |
| 2007 | Ian Preston & Charlotte Woolley Alex Grey & Tamasin Graham |
Alex Robinson & Mairi McGuiness |
| 2006 | Joseph Coulson & Ruth Westcott (+) | William Chao & Sarah Ward-Jones |
| 2005 | Christoph Ortner & Kimberley Brownlee | Ozekia Uhiara & Marianna Ofosu |
| 2004 | Ian Watson & Cécile Défossé | |
| 2003 | Wolfram Schmitt & Emmy Spencer | |
| 2002 | David Weston & Georgina Weeds | |
| 2001 | Nick Faull & Erica Witherington |
(+) indicates that this couple was also best overall across Oxford and Cambridge in their respective category.
B Team
| Year | Best Oxford ballroom couple | Best Oxford latin couple | Best Oxford couple |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Martin Bird & Vicky Stimson (+) | Martin Bird & Vicky Stimson | Martin Bird & Vicky Stimson (+) |
| 2006 | Ian Preston & Charlotte Wooley | Bilal Khan & Alice Pillar | Damien Vukcevic & Parvy Vis-Nathan |
| 2005 | Alex Hobbs & Karen Zieger | Alex Hobbs & Karen Zieger (+) | Alex Hobbs & Karen Zieger (+) |
Acheson Shield
| Year | College |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Worcester College |
| 2009 | Hertford College |
| 2008 | Keble College |
| 2007 | Keble College |
| 2006 | Trinity College |
| 2005 | Trinity College |
| 2004 | Keble College |
| 2003 | Keble College |
| 2002 | St. Hugh’s College |
| 2001 | Merton College |
| 2000 | Merton College |
Rob Stevens Memorial Trophy
This trophy was awarded for the first time in 2010.| Year | College |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Keble College |