The World Dance Council Ltd (WDC), is a registered limited company, the legal successor to the International Council of Ballroom Dancing, and was established at a meeting organized by Phillip J. S. Richardson on 22 September 1950 in Edinburgh, Scotland. From 1996 to 2006, the WDC was known as the World Dance & Dance Sport Council Ltd (WD&DSC). The stated mission of the World Dance Council is to inspire, stimulate and promote excellence in education for the World Dance Council and Amateur League (WDC and AL) community.

The primary objective, at the time of the organization's formation, was to provide an agreed basis for holding world championships in competitive ballroom dance. That objective has been achieved. It does not regulate social dance directly. That is the business of individual organisers.

  • The WDC Amateur League was founded in 2007. It regulates and designates the World and continental Amateur championships and licenses and regulates Amateur Dancing.

Each member country in the WDC has its own national organisation, such as the British Dance Council, which acts as a forum for the interested parties in that country. The national bodies decide on their delegates to the WDC. The WDC also operates a WDC National Dance Council system in certain countries, which allows a multi-member system within that NDC, fostering the co-operation of major dance organisations in these countries.

WDC events

These events are under WDC regulation, but organised in various countries each year.

  • World Championship – Professional Ballroom
  • World Championship – Professional Latin
  • World Championship – Professional 10-Dance
  • European Championship – Professional 10-Dance
  • European Championship – Professional Latin

There are also other events, which are licensed to organising countries, and are open entry.

  • WDC Amateur League Open Amateur World Championships & Professional Cups.
  • World Masters Latin
  • WDC World Cup. In 2009, this event in Shenzhen, China had over 2000 participants.

In the regulations, the facility is also available for professional competitions in:

  • Ballroom Show Dance
  • Latin American Show Dance

WDC competition rules

  1. The WDC Championships are open championships.
  2. The national bodies nominate their best available couples, and only two couples are permitted from any one country. Additionally 3 Wild Cards from the World Series Ranking List are invited. WDC registered competitors can take part as open entries.

Presidents

  • P. J. S. Richardson MBE (ICBD)
  • Alex Moore MBE (ICBD)
  • Bill Irvine MBE (ICBD)
  • Leonard Morgan (ICBD)
  • Robin Short (WD&DSC)
  • Karl Breuer (WD&DSC)
  • Donnie Burns MBE

World Championship winners

  • World Ballroom Dance Champions
  • World Latin Dance Champions
  • World 10 Dance Champions
  • World Ballroom Dance Champions Amateur

See also

  • World DanceSport Federation
  • Ballroom dance
  • Competitive dance
  • Ballroom Dancers' Federation
  • Dancesport

References

  • World Dance Council History
  • World Dance Council Education Department
  • World Dance Council