Rules
The following is a list of Irish Dancing Commission and AIDA Inc rules that affect registered dancers in Australia.
QUALIFICATION FOR ENTRY INTO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The number of qualifiers for the World Championships is determined as follows -:
Single Year Age Groups - 5 in the first 20 and 1 in every ten (or part of) thereafter.
Double Year Age Groups - 7 in the first 20 and 1 in every 5 (or part of) thereafter.
Maximum 15 in any competition.
Dancers may qualify at either the Regional (State) or National Championships.
The number of qualifiers for Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne from a competition at a Regional (State) or National Oireachtas is determined by the number of competitors who actually dance in the event concerned and not the number entered.
In calculating the number of qualifiers from a Regional or National Oireachtas dancers deemed to have qualified by having attained medal winning positions at the previous Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne will count as competitors but not qualifiers.
COSTUME RULES as of 1 September 2010
An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha wishes to update and inform its registered members worldwide of the current rules. It is important that teachers, adjudicators, parents and dressmakers are aware of, and work within, the updated regulations.
1. Skirt length: All costumes, both for solo and team dancers, must be no shorter than mid-thigh, in the back of the leg.
2. Necklines must be at collarbone level or above. This does not preclude the use of alternative fabrics, e.g. lace, as an inset.
3. Costumes must consist of full front, side and back sections. Cut away styles, without a full skirt backing, are not acceptable.
4. Appropriate underwear, covering the midriff, must be worn. Where tights are worn, they must be of a denier of not less than 70.
5. Dance Drama costumes must be in keeping with the theme of the story portrayed.
6. Competitors in all age groups, up to but excluding Meangrad (Intermediate in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia, Novice in North America), may only wear traditional class-costumes or long/short sleeved blouses/polo tops and skirts/tunics which conform to the regular costume length rules as above. Low-cut tops and short, tight skirts are not permitted.
7. All forms of dance school identification, be it by sign, shape, colour-piece, logo, or symbol be banned from all solo costumes worn by any competitor in any competition.
8. Sleeves on Solo Costumes must start at the shoulder line and end at the cuff.
ARTIFICIAL CARRIAGE AIDS RULE
Any competitor found to be using artificial carriage aids and subsequently refused to remove same, will be subject to disqualification from that particular competitions. Medically prescribed apparatus (proof of which may be required) will be exempt from this ruling.
MAKE-UP RULE
Makeup* will not be permitted for any dancer in the first two grades (beginner and primary) up to and including the Under 12 age group worldwide. * Please note that the phrase makeup refers to facial makeup as well as fake tan.
IRISH DANCE MOVEMENTS
No block, en point, stationary or moving is allowed to be performed for all ages up to and including the under 12 age group.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Any Form of unauthorised photography which has the capability to capture a dancer’s image whilst in motion, using electronic or manual means, e.g. mobile phone, standard camera, video camcorder, cine recorder, commercial film, with or without flash enhancement, is expressly forbidden in competition.
Source: An Coimisiun
Please note: Rules pertaining to the 2011 Australian Championships will be available in association with the 2011 National Championships Syllabus.
