OADA Ontario Amateur Dancesport Association

[Rugby]

Yep, that is my next plan at the next meeting.

[elisedance]

I wrote to the ODS president to ask - just waiting to hear back...

[Rugby]

I asked and he didn't know.  They decided that everyone would get rid of the amateur part.  He thinks it is because that other sports don't use amateur in their names.  Maybe has something to do with trying to get into the Olympics perhaps.  My guess, and only my guess is it is because some day they want to have umbrella organizations were Pros, Amateurs and Pro/Am will come under one name and have subcategories. 

[elisedance]

I asked and he didn't know.  They decided that everyone would get rid of the amateur part.  He thinks it is because that other sports don't use amateur in their names.  Maybe has something to do with trying to get into the Olympics perhaps.  My guess, and only my guess is it is because some day they want to have umbrella organizations were Pros, Amateurs and Pro/Am will come under one name and have subcategories. 

Excuse me?  The president of the organization didn't know why the name of his organization changed?  Isn't that like a captain that does not know where his boat is going?

Then who the heck is 'they'?  And who should we ask?  Perhaps you could inquire...

It does explain, I guess, why I never got a reply to my letter either...

[ttd]

Isn't this similar to USA Dance name change a few years back? They used to be called USABDA (United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association), now they're USA Dance. The name at least looks as if it applies to more dancers, even though the fact is that they're pretty much useless except for those who have an amateur partner to compete with.

[elisedance]

So maybe its an international amateur dancesport plot!

Oh goodie - our own conspiracy theory...

[elisedance]

Or perhaps its another attempt to make pro-ams pay fees...

[ttd]

Or perhaps its another attempt to make pro-ams pay fees...

The irony is that I was a USA Dance member for a few years while we had a local chapter (I was one of the officers). The chapter formed to create opportunities for social dancing which were lacking at that time. But when the open socials market became saturated (we have a studio in town which has parties every week, so an extra dance social wasn't getting much attendance), the membership dwindled and we folded the chapter. I stopped renewing my membership, and every once in a while I get an e-mail from USA Dance asking me to renew. I'm not doing it, since the only benefit I would derive from it is their "American Dancer" magazine, and it is not worth the membership fee. The other two remaining officers (who are a married couple) kept their membership because they compete in USA Dance events every once in a while.

[Rugby]

Isn't this similar to USA Dance name change a few years back? They used to be called USABDA (United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association), now they're USA Dance. The name at least looks as if it applies to more dancers, even though the fact is that they're pretty much useless except for those who have an amateur partner to compete with.

Yes, you are right.  The name changes are across the board for everywhere and that is why the U.S. changed.  It is from the very top (formerly IDSF now WDSF) and everyone is told to do it and not why, expect to say that they want the Amateur out.  I don't think anyone cares enough to really ask.  I think only the WDSF could give you the real answer. 

[elisedance]

Isn't this similar to USA Dance name change a few years back? They used to be called USABDA (United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association), now they're USA Dance. The name at least looks as if it applies to more dancers, even though the fact is that they're pretty much useless except for those who have an amateur partner to compete with.

Yes, you are right.  The name changes are across the board for everywhere and that is why the U.S. changed.  It is from the very top (formerly IDSF now WDSF) and everyone is told to do it and not why, expect to say that they want the Amateur out.  I don't think anyone cares enough to really ask.  I think only the WDSF could give you the real answer. 

Eek.  Or should I say Euck.  Then that explains everything.  What we started with is obviously correct. 

Do we want a joint amateur/professional organization?  Who is going to represent amateurs if there is a dispute with professionals?  Does this open up an opportunity for a new organization to flourish?

[Rugby]

It could also be just an idea that goes nowhere.  It may also just be another way to make dancing look more appealing for the Olympics.  If they truley are taking out amateur because the other sports don't use it then trying to look more like a sport is the agenda with the Olympics the goal.  Man, they should give it a rest before dancing is completely ruined.  Instead of thinking that getting into the Olyimpics will help dancing flourish they should put their energy into how to make the politics go away and how to promote dancing through the organizations that already exiist.  Instead they put a strangle hold on the very people that are trying to promote dancing and kick the ass of those that compete and are try to control them to the point where people are left shaking their heads.

[elisedance]

It could also be just an idea that goes nowhere.  It may also just be another way to make dancing look more appealing for the Olympics.  If they truley are taking out amateur because the other sports don't use it then trying to look more like a sport is the agenda with the Olympics the goal.  Man, they should give it a rest before dancing is completely ruined.  Instead of thinking that getting into the Olyimpics will help dancing flourish they should put their energy into how to make the politics go away and how to promote dancing through the organizations that already exiist.  Instead they put a strangle hold on the very people that are trying to promote dancing and kick the ass of those that compete and are try to control them to the point where people are left shaking their heads.

I know.  Have a campaign against corruption of all forms and present a united front.  Without that the olympics is not even going to think about it.  Curious how dancesport seems to attract so much factious competition...

[Rugby]

I find people will pee in the water to ruin it for everyone else, forgetting, or perhaps being too stupid to realiize, that they have to drink from that water too.  In the end everyone dies of thirst.