The Team

As well as running regular group classes, London Student Dancesport is also home to the ULU Dancesport Team. Every year the team travels to various competitions around the country to compete against other university dance teams at competitions across the country. All levels of dancers are welcome to join the team, and the competitions cater for beginners through to advanced dancers.

If you are a university student in London, and have expressed an interest in one or more competitions this coming term, you can are welcome to join the team. All you need to do is become a member of the society and then discuss with your partner which competitions would be best for you. Once you know, get in touch with Shaz to confirm interest and payment as soon as possible, this way you can start getting your free team training and practice sessions straight away and really maximise that membership!

For those who join the team as beginners, your main point of contact will be Ellie who has been appointed to offer support and guidance to those who are new to competing and the university circuit. If you have competed before and/or are familiar with non-basic steps, be sure to contact me directly so we can discuss your strengths and where you will sit best within the team (i.e. ballroom vs latin?). That way we can tailor your experience with the team to ensure that you achieve the best possible results for both yourself and the team.

If you would like to compete for the London Team and be part of our success, or if you have any queries about joining the team or competing, please contact our Team Captain.

Beginners Team

If you haven’t danced before and would like to experience the thrill of competitions, then come and join our Beginners Team. The Beginners Team is for those of you that have not had professional dance lessons for longer than a year, so that you can compete fairly at competitions, against those with the same amount of experience.

The Beginners Captain will pair you up with a partner and then you can get to work on practising for the competitions.

Beginners can take part in two Ballroom dances (Waltz and Quickstep) and two Latin dances (Chachacha and Jive). You can use the routines taught in classes

Beginners compete in the four main dances; Waltz and Quickstep in Ballroom section, and Chachacha and Jive in the Latin American section. In this category, you can use the routines and steps taught in the beginners and novice group classes. Or if you're adventurous, you can work out some of your own steps!

Beginners are restricted to basic steps and non-competitive dress for beginner events at competitions. This means you are only allowed to wear practicewear or clothes that are available on the high street clothes. However, you may have the opportunity to dress up in one of the team’s competition outfits for team-based competitions. If you have any costume or appearance related questions, please email our Wardrobe Manager.

Eligibility to Join the Team

To join the team you must be eligible to compete and this is defined by the Inter-Varsity Dance Association as follows: "To compete in a student competition you must be a university student. IVDA defines this, and this is generally accepted by most uni comp organisers. “3.13.1) A Present Student is someone undertaking a full-time degree or diploma at a British University or University College recognised by the central government department currently responsible for higher education and able to prove their status with a valid University Library or Registration Card showing their name, photograph and duration of period of registration. 3.13.2) PhD students shall be considered Present Students only until the end of the academic year in which they submit their thesis.”

If you are a part-time student you will qualify as a student if you study at least 8 hours per week.

As you can see, because the guidelines are very strict, we apologise that those who are not eligible will not be able to join the team. Non-students are however, more than welcome to attend the regular lessons and use the practice space on Mondays.