Part 2: OADA Competition Rules

2.1 Loss of Amateur Status
2.2 Demonstrations
2.3 Prizes
2.4 Monetary Compensation
2.5 Pro Am Events
2.6 Funding for Canadian or World Championships

3.0 Licensing of Competitors

3.1 Requirements
3.2 Canadian Competitors outside of Ontario
3.3 Competitors outside of Canada
3.4 Membership Period
3.5 Proof of Membership
3.6 Partnerships from different Provinces or Countries

4.0 Competition Grades

4.1 Categories
4.2 Entry level
4.3 Minimum level
4.4 Partnership Minimum level
4.5 Ontario residency
4.6 Minimum levels acceptable to OADA
4.7 Competitors exceptions
4.8 Dancing all dances in the event

5.0 Graduation through the Grades

5.1 Graduation
5.2 Graduation level
5.3 Graduation option
5.4 Rules for Graduation / Exceptions

6.0 Dancing Up in Grade

6.1 Grade level
6.2 Requirements to be met when dancing up
6.3 Immediate graduation to higher level

7.0 Age Categories

7.1 Age requirements for Competition levels

8.0 Dress Code

Adult
8.1 Pre-Bronze & Bronze - Standard &Latin
8.2 Silver - Standard & Latin
8.3 Gold - Standard & Latin
8.4 Pre-Amateur & Amateur - Standard & Latin
8.5 Accessories
Juvenile
8.6 Juvenile Pre-Bronze to Gold
8.7 Juvenile Pre-Championship & Championship
Junior
8.8 Junior Pre-Bronze & Bronze
8.9 Junior Silver & Gold
8.10 Junior Pre-Championship & Championship

8.11 Advertising on Costumes

Dress Code Diagrams for Girls
Dress Code Diagrams for Boys

9.0 Restrictions to Allowed Figures in the Grades

9.1 Restrictions in Medal Levels
9.2 Inter - relation of steps in different dances
9.3 Latin dances
9.4 Penalty Judge for Medal Levels
9.5 Exceptions

10.0 Types of Competitions

10.1 Unrestricted competitions
10.2 Closed Studio Competitions
10.3 Closed Competitions & Championships
10.4 Open Competitions & Championships
10.5 International Competitions
10.6 Qualifying

11.0 Championship Events

11.1 Rules & Regulations
11.2 Running of Championships
11.3 Requirements for competitors

12.0 Selection of the Ontario Champions and Representatives

12.1 Registration of Competitors
12.2 Ontario Representatives Selection Event (Ontario Closed Championships)
12.3 Ontario Representatives Selection, Standard, Latin & 10 Dance
12.4 Executive authority
12.5 Status Requirements for Ontario Representatives
12.6 Ontario Representatives
12.7 Inter - Provincial Negotiations
12.8 Canadian Representatives outside of Canada

13.0 Penalties for Rule Violations

13.1 Sub - Committee adjudicating Rule Violations
13.2 Dress Code Violations
13.3 Other Rule Violations during Competition

14.0 Reinstatement

14.1 Reinstatement
14.2 Reinstatement Exceptions
14.3 Right of Appeal
14.4 Membership Acceptance
14.5 Waiting Period
14.6 Reinstatement Review Dates
14.7 Minimum Level for Reinstated Dancers
14.8 Application for Reinstatement Format

15.0 BASIC COMPETITION RULES

15.1 Maximum number of couples constitute a final
15.2 50% of the competitors pass to the next round
15.3 Competitors dancing in one heat
15.4 The floor size
15.5 Separate changing rooms
15.6 The dances advertised on the flyer
15.7 The music for heats in a round, subsequent rounds
15.8 Intervals of time between rounds and competitions
15.9 Duration of the music played
15.10 The tempi for each dance
15.11 Number of judges and certification
15.12 Judges and their adjudication
15.13 The number of couples selected from each heat
15.14 In the final, 'tie' of two or more couples
15.15 Judges serve on any judging panel
15.16 Judging a competitor to whom the judge is related
15.17 A penalty judge for all medal competitions
15.18 A chairperson of judges and credentials
15.19 Practice rounds of competitors
15.20 Notification of recalls
15.21 Scrutineer and results
15.22 Competitors access the scrutineering sheets
15.23 Announcing the final results
15.24 Competitors must remain in costume
15.25 Amateur Championship competition
15.26 Competitors dancing with the same partner
15.27 Sanctioning Fees

16.0 Issues not covered by the published rules

1.0 APPLICATION 1.1 These competition rules will apply to all Ontario amateur dancers irrespective of category and grade and will cover International Standard and Latin-American style dancing. Dancers from other jurisdictions are expected to also abide by these rules when competing in Ontario. 2.0 DEFINITION OF AN AMATEUR DANCER 2.1 Amateur status will be deemed lost if a ballroom dancer: a) Sells or converts into money a prize won for dancing.

b) Receives expenses from OADA, CADA or other Association for dancing in a competition over and above that for travel, accommodation and a meal allowance as duly authorized by the Executive.

c) Participates in a dancing competition for which a cash or money voucher prize is offered, unless the Executive grants permission and a trust fund set up for this purpose by OADA.

d) Accepts remuneration in cash or kind for the use of their name or performance as a dancer in an advertisement.

e) Declares himself/herself to be a professional dancer by advertisement or otherwise.

f) Takes an entrance examination to any of the professional ballroom dancing bodies or Associations.

g) Acts or assists as a teacher of ballroom dancing except as provided for under CADA rule 8.3. (See Appendix 1 for details)

h) Acts as an organizer, MC or a floor manager of ballroom dances for personal profit.

i) Participates in a competition or team match, which is limited to professionals only.

2.2 An amateur can present a demonstration of ballroom dancing at an event but prior permission of the Executive is required. All monies paid to the couple must be placed in their trust account held by the treasurer. An administrative fee as set from time to time by the OADA Executive will be charged against the trust account.

2.3 A competitor can accept a prize in the form of a travel voucher towards the cost of travelling to a ballroom dancing event.

2.4 To receive a contribution towards their training and/or expenses (travel, lodging and meals) for competing at an event, the dancers must first obtain the approval of the Executive. Any funds received must be placed directly in a trust bank account opened by the OADA Treasurer for this purpose. Funds from the account will be released to the dancers to pay for expenses related to their ballroom dancing activities as approved by the Executive.

2.5 Amateurs may dance in mixed professional-amateur (Pro-Am) competitions provided the amateur accepts no prize money.

2.6 In order to receive funding to Canadian or World Championships, a couple must have competed a minimum of 3 times at the identical category in the last 12 months in Ontario
Exceptions:- new partnerships
                    - just graduated to championship level
                    - just graduated to a new age level
                   - if their age event was not offered in Ontario

3.0 LICENSING OF COMPETITORS 3.1.1. Residents of Ontario must be members of OADA to compete in Ontario. 3.1.2. To compete outside Ontario, OADA members must pay an additional fee to OADA in order to be placed on the National Register of competitors maintained by CADA. This fee is an integral part of the annual OADA fee.

3.2 Dancers from outside Ontario within Canada must be members of their provincial association and listed on the National Register (CADA) in order to compete in Ontario.

3.3 Competitors from outside Canada must be members of the appropriate amateur body having jurisdiction where they reside, in order to compete in Ontario.

3.4 In order for dancers to compete, they must be a member of OADA or other recognized amateur association for at least 2 weeks prior to the event. Application for OADA membership will be in writing on the appropriate form supplied by OADA, and must be completed in full and signed by the applicant.

3.5 All competitors must show their current membership card when obtaining their competitor numbers at a competition.

3.6 Couples made up of dancers residing in different Provinces must make specific arrangements:

a) Each dancer obtains membership in the Province where they reside.

b) Each dancer then informs both Provincial Associations concerned about the mixed membership within the partnership and in which Province the partnership intends to compete for championship purposes.

c) This partnership will then only be permitted to compete in Closed Provincial championship events in the Province selected and can only become champions in that Province.

3.6.1 International Partnerships (from the CADA Rule Book)

In Canadian Closed Championships, one member of a partnership must be a Canadian Citizen.
The second member:
a)     must have resided in Canada for 184 days in the period since the last Canadian Closed Championship, as of the day of the competition.
b)     must declare in writing his or her intention to dance for Canada only, during that dance year.
                                                    and
c)     shall not have represented another country during the last six months.
This rule will also apply to the Ontario Closed Championship.

4.0 COMPETITION GRADES
NOTE: 1) All bylaws which refer to beginner(s) and novice(s) grades shall have the word "beginner(s)" deleted, and bronze and silver categories inserted and all reference to novice(s) grade shall be replaced by gold category.
(This will apply if you are transferring your wins over to the medal system or if competing outside the province, where they do not use the medal categories.)

4.1 Six grades of competition are provided for amateur youth and adult dancers, which in ascending order are:
Pre-Bronze - which consist of any 2 dances out of 5
Bronze - which consist of any 3 dances out of 5
Silver - which consist of any 3 dances out of 5
Gold - which consist of any 4 dances out of 5
Pre-Amateur - which consist of any 4 dances out of 5
Amateur - which consist of any 4 or 5 dances out of 5 4.1.1 Six grades of competition are also provided for amateur Juveniles and Juniors. The syllabus will be the same as in adult categories.

Dancing up rules will apply the same as in adult categories.

Graduation will be as follows: When you graduate to Junior or Youth, you will keep the same category, but do not have to count wins earned in the same category. Example: If you are a junior gold and have two (2) junior gold wins, you would graduate to Youth gold but with no gold wins.

4.2 The normal entry level for competitors is Pre-bronze. However, dancers may enter at any level.

4.3 The lowest level at which the rules permit a couple to compete is called their minimum level. An Ontario competitor's minimum level is determined by OADA, which has jurisdiction over this matter for its members, no matter where they may be competing. This however, does not preclude jurisdictions elsewhere from refusing to accept a competitor's minimum level under the rules it applies and requiring them to compete at a different grade.

4.4 A partnership must compete at the highest minimum level of either dancer.

4.5 Dancers taking up residence in Ontario must compete at least at the same minimum level for which they were qualified under the rules of the association that had jurisdiction in the area they previously resided in.

4.6 OADA reserves the right to refuse to accept the minimum level claimed by competitors from outside Ontario and requiring that they compete at a different grade at Ontario events.

4.7 It will not be necessary for a competitor to hold or to have passed the equivalent of any medal, test or certificate to participate in these grades.

4.8 If a competitor does not dance all the dances in his/her event then he/she will be disqualified.

5.0 GRADUATION THROUGH THE GRADES

5.1 You will graduate to the next level after 3 wins in your present level.

5.2 When competitors are disqualified from competing at a given minimum level by any rule, the next higher grade becomes the competitor's new minimum level.

5.3 Competitors can decide to graduate from any minimum level if they wish and at any time by notifying the Membership Chairperson.

5.4 For the application of the above graduation rules, the following apply:
5.4.1. A win must be in a competition with an entry of at least 6 couples in order to count towards graduation. 5.4.2. All wins in all age categories that have a minimum of six (6) couples count for graduation.

5.4.3. Wins gained anywhere count towards an Ontario competitor's graduation providing they meet the requirements of 5.4.1 and 5.4.2. Competitors are honour bound to report to the Membership chairman within 30 days, any wins that affect their minimum level.

5.4.4. 1) Wins in competitions restricted to the students of a particular studio, club or school will not count towards a competitor's graduation.

2) If you compete outside the province, your wins in the category you compete in, will count, no matter how many dances they had in that category. (e.g. Quebec has only 3 dances in pre-championship and will be using blocks of 2 dance silver categories. The USA has 2 dance novice events but it uses gold syllabus, therefore it is considered a gold win) 5.4.5. Graduation from one grade to the next will apply to members as individuals, not only as couples. 5.4.6. Exceptions 5.4.6.1. A competitor who has danced in the first round of a competition shall, if selected to go forward, be entitled to compete in subsequent rounds held on a later date even if in the meantime, the competitor has graduated as a result of another competition.

5.4.7 Rescinded July 2003

6.0 DANCING UP IN GRADE 6.1 Competitors may dance in a competition at only the next level up from their lowest level of competition. Example: from silver to gold, but not from silver to pre-amateur. This rule applies in Ontario.

When dancing outside the province, the rules of that province or country prevail. Couples are permitted to dance more than one level up from their Ontario level provided it is within the rules of that jurisdiction. Any wins will be counted towards your Ontario graduation.

6.2 If there is a competition at an event in a competitor's minimum level, the competitors must enter that competition before they are permitted to dance up in a higher grade. If there is no competition in the competitor's minimum level, then they may dance up at the higher grade. For the application of this rule, dancing in a competition restricted to Seniors I or II will be considered as dancing at the amateur grade.

6.3 Any partnership that wins in a higher category that had at least 3 couples in the event must graduate immediately, irrespective of the number of wins gained at the lower level.

7.0 AGE CATEGORIES

7.1 Competitors will compete in the following age categories:

7.1.1. Senior II - Both partners reach 50th birthday or more in the calendar year.

7.1.2. Senior I - Both partners reach 35th birthday or more in the calendar year

7.1.3. Adult - One partner reaches his/her 19th birthday or more in the calendar year

7.1.4. Youth - Reaches his/her 16^th,17^th. or 18^thbirthday in the calendar year

7.1.5.1. Junior II - Reaches his/her 14^thor 15^thbirthday in the calendar year.

7.1.5.2. Junior I - Reaches his/her 12^thor 13^thbirthday in the calendar year.

7.1.6.1. Juvenile II - Reaches his/her 10^thor 11^thbirthday in the calendar year.

7.1.6.2. Juvenile I - Reaches his/her 9^thbirthday or less in the calendar year.

Putting 2 age groups together such as Juvenile I & Juvenile II, as well as, Junior I & Junior II in one class is optional. In Ontario they will usually be combined and the wins will be counted as either juvenile or junior wins for graduation to the next dance level.

Youth couples are allowed to participate in adult competitions.

In all age sections one partner of a couple can be younger, except in Seniors.

NOTE: There will no longer be average age calculation to determine age eligibility. A couple's age restriction will depend on the oldest member of the partnership

8.0 DRESS CODE

Check the IDSF website at http://www.idsf.net/dancesport_competitions/idsfdressregulations.pdf

for the latest dress code

If competitors have any doubts about the suitability of their costume they should check with the Executive.

Adult & Youth 8.1 Pre-Bronze and Bronze, Standard and Latin:

Ladies: Afternoon dress or skirt and blouse. Lady's dress must not be decorated with sequins, diamante, rhinestones, feathers, fringe, or similar decorations. It must not be more than mid thigh or mid calf in length. Bare midriffs, spaghetti straps and openings in the skirt in the front, side or back, pants, jeans, jumpsuits or halter-tops are not permitted. Skirts should be of a uniform length.

Gentlemen: jacket, white or black shirt and black tie and suitable trousers. Men may use a plain black or navy blue coloured vest or cardigan in place of the jacket. (No studio or club ensignias allowed.) Men may not compete in just a shirt.

8.2 Silver, Standard and Latin:

The competitors must wear full competition style outfits as indicated in 8.3 Gold. Exception will be allowed only for Bronze competitors dancing up who may elect to follow Rule 8.1 (Pre-Bronze & Bronze dress code).

8.3 Gold:

a) Standard - Ladies: Competition style dress. (Ballgown) Pants, jeans, jumpsuits or halter-tops are not permitted.
Gentlemen: tail suit. b) Latin - Ladies: Competition style dress. The buttock of the female partner must be covered all the time as a minimum, tangas are not allowed. Pants, jeans, jumpsuits or halter-tops are not permitted.

Gentlemen: Competition style outfits must be black or dark blue in colour or separate shirt and pants in one of these two colours. A white shirt is acceptable.

All decorations must be of the same colour as the outfit. Stones may be crystal, silver, transparent or boreal.

See rule 8.4 for other restrictions

8.4 Pre-Amateur and Amateur:
a) Standard

Ladies: Competition style dress. (Ballgown)

                                                     Note the IDSF specifically uses the word "dress"
                                                         No two-piece dresses are allowed. No cuts below the waistline, no low necklines.
                                                         The breast area has to be covered completely. No see through material on this area.

   Colour: any colour except flesh (skin tone).
               Panties have to be black or the same colour as the dress.

    Hairstyles & Make up: Excessive make up and too elaborate hairstyles are not desirable

    Jewellery: The chairman can ask the competitor to remove an item of jewellery if it presents danger to the dancer or to other competitors.

Gentlemen: tail suit black or midnight blue with all the accessories. (dress shirt, bow tie, studs etc.)

b) Latin

Ladies: Competition style dress. Pants, jeans, shorts, jumpsuits or halter-tops are not permitted.   The buttock of the female partner must be covered all the time as a minimum. The area between the hip line and the panty line, plus the breast area must be covered completely. (Hip line is defined as the top of the hipbone.) No see through material is allowed on these areas. No high cut panties, tangas, and cuts below the hip line and no see through inserts in the panties. When standing the skirt should cover the panties completely. It is preferable that the panties show as little as possible during the dancing. If the dress is a two-piece, then the top must not be a bra.
          Colour: any colour except flesh (skin tone).
                                 Panties have to be black or the same colour as the dress.

                   Hairstyles & Make up: Excessive make up and too elaborate hairstyles are not             desirable

                  Jewellery: The chairman can ask the competitor to remove an item of jewellery if it presents danger to the dancer or to other competitors.

Gentlemen:

            Trousers:          Black or midnight blue (no see through material is allowed).

            Shirt/Top:       Any colour including multi colour except flesh (skin colour).
                                    See through materials can be used as the decoration but not as a basic material.                                                       The amount of see through material used can not exceed 25 %
                                    The shirt or top has to be tucked in. No sleeveless shirt ortops are allowed.
                                    The shirt can be open down to the end of the breast bone
                                    Vest, jacket or bolero jacket of the same colours as trousers are optional.
                                    Tie, bow tie or scarf are optional. If a scarf is worn it has to be tied and tucked inside the                                     shirt.

8.5 No unusual accessories or additions to the costumes worn are permitted. An example is the wearing of white gloves by the man.

Juvenile all categories Pre-Bronze to Gold

8.6 Girls: - Leotard with wrap-over skirt or a simple dress, both with no sequins, diamante or similar decoration. Must have sleeves, no bare midriffs, and no more than 10cm above the knee and no longer than 10cm below the knee. The panties of the dress have to cover the underwear.
Hairstyles: Too elaborate hairstyles are not desirable.

Make Up: Only moderate amount of make up is allowed. No artificial nails, tan or lashes.
Materials: This must not have metallic thread, or be decorated with sequins, lace, diamante, rhinestones, fluorescent paint, feathers, fringe, bows or any other similar trimmings. Any colour except flesh (skin colour)
Shoes: Block heel only with a maximum height of 3.5-cm. High heel shoes are not permitted. The shoes may be worn with short socks. Skin colour tights may be worn but mesh tights are not allowed.

Boys: - Black trousers, plain white or black shirt with black tie. No wing collar and rolled up sleeves allowed.

Materials and styles not permitted. (See diagrams)

Girls: - slash-neck leotard or dress with one sleeve
- leotard or dress with shoe string straps or straps of any description
- leotard or dress with straps and body stocking or similar see-through material inserts
- skirt with feathered trim, fringe, fringe trim, or tiered frills
- skirt made up of strips
- skirt with frill and split up front
- skirt with wired frills must not have splits up front, back or side
- sleeveless leotard or dress with frills on shoulder
- slashed thighs or cut-out bodices front or back
- bare midriff

Boys: - satin or similar shiny material, - extra full sleeves.
8.7 Juvenile Pre-Championship and Championship

Competition style outfits (costumes) are OPTIONAL (See Rule 8.4 for description)

8.8 Junior Pre-Bronze and Bronze:

Same dress code as per Juvenile description above, except girls may wear heels.
Hairstyles & Make up: Excessive make up and too elaborate hairstyles are not desirable.

8.9 Junior Silver or Gold:

Costumes optional. (See Rule 8.3 for description)
Both members of the partnership must either be in costume or both in the dress code described under juveniles above. (Not a mixture of the two dress codes.)

Girls: The top of the dress must be attached to the bottom in such a fashion that the naval area is covered. Pants, jeans, shorts, or jumpsuits are not permitted.

8.10 Junior Pre-Championship & Championship:

Competition style costumes must be worn. (See Rule 8.4 for description)

8.11 Advertising

(i) In all competitions, all advertising of up to two (2) sponsors per couple on the competition dress is permitted up to forty (40) square cm. The place of the advertising is on the chest or sleeves. The sponsorship can be either on the man's or lady's costume or one sponsor on each.

(ii) Advertising on the competition number of the couple is limited to 20% of the size of the competition number

Use of religious symbols as decoration or jewellery is not allowed.

Change of dress during the round is not allowed, except in the case of an accident that makes the dress unusable.

Dress code: Juvenile rule 8.6 and Junior rule 8.8

Boys: Approved Styles

Diagram 209B Diagram 209C

9.0 RESTRICTIONS TO ALLOWED FIGURES IN THE GRADES

9.1 Competitors in Juvenile, Junior, Adult and Senior Pre-Bronze, Bronze, Silver and Gold events must limit their groups and amalgamations to only figures taught in the equivalent medal grades of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. These Syllabi for the Bronze, Silver and Gold grades will be approved by the OADA Executive. OADA in cooperation with the CDTA will inform the membership through mailings as new versions are introduced.

9.2 While it is recognized that some of the Syllabus figures can be danced in more than one of the dances on an inter-related basis. This inter-relation of figures will NOT be allowed in competition.

9.3 In all Latin American dances, the figures must be danced with conventional hold and technique or any modern deviation of the hold, which does not fundamentally change the basic technique of the figures danced. For Latin Competitions, IDTA styling or foot positions can be used. (See Walter Laird’s Latin Technique book)

9.4 For all Pre-Bronze, Bronze, Silver and Gold competitions, a penalty judge must be present in addition to the normally required judges.

9.5 There are no figure restrictions in the Pre-Amateur and Amateur grades.

10.0 TYPES OF COMPETITIONS 10.1 UNRESTRICTED COMPETITIONS These contests may be run with the rules left to the discretion of the promoter and amateur dancers may dance in them without penalty provided the approval of the Executive Committee of OADA is obtained in advance by the promoter. 10.2 CLOSED STUDIO COMPETITIONS Closed studio competitions are those contests, which are promoted and run by a specific studio, club or school and in which entries are limited to the members of that studio, club or school. Members are permitted to participate in these without penalty.

10.3 CLOSED COMPETITIONS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS

10.3.1. NATIONAL EVENTS - The qualification for entry shall be as dictated by CADA.

10.3.2. PROVINCIAL AND AREA EVENTS (Closed Competitions) - Entries shall be restricted to competitors who have been residents of Ontario or the area named in the Championship for not less than six (6) months.

10.4 OPEN COMPETITIONS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS

10.4.1. Any bona fide amateur may dance in an open contest provided he or she does not infringe the rules and regulations of CADA.

10.4.2. Competitors from outside Ontario will be eligible to compete in any open competition by either reciprocal or affiliated recognition or if both members of a competing couple meet the requirements and rules of CADA.

10.5 INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS In International contests OADA will recognize CADA rules. 10.6 QUALIFYING
In order to qualify for the final of any competition, competitors must dance in all rounds. It is not permissible for a dancer to pass into later rounds of any competition unless the partnership competes in the first and each subsequent round of the contest.

11.0 CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

11.1 Rules and regulations covering competitors and competitions for championships will be as in Schedule B of the National Board (CADA) "Championship Rules". These will apply to all amateur dancers and competitions within the jurisdiction of OADA.

11.2 Provincial and National Championship events will be run in accordance with CADA's rules governing recognition, judging and conditions applicable to closed and open competitions (See CADA Schedule B - Championship Rules).

11.3 All dancers entering a championship must be members in good standing of OADA or with other member Associations within CADA or recognized by CADA.

12.0 SELECTION OF THE ONTARIO CHAMPIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES 12.1 The Association will register all Ontario Amateur Ballroom Dancers so that recognition may be accorded reigning champions and bring order to the competitive field.

12.2 OADA will use the Ontario Closed Championship to choose Ontario's official representatives for the National Interprovincial Competitions and team matches. The final rounds of the championships (Standard & Latin) must not be split into two heats.

12.3 The couples will be placed first to sixth, in both Standard & Latin American categories, and from these positions will be selected the Ontario representatives, depending upon availability, in order of merit. The 10 Dance representatives will be the highest placed couple in both categories, in order of merit.

12.4 In the event that none of the qualified competitors are available, the Executive may at their discretion nominate the competitor to fulfill the needs from the general register of competitors.

12.5 Any dancer chosen to represent Ontario must be a member in good standing of the Association. Such representatives must be citizens of Canada or landed immigrants who have resided in Ontario for 184 days in the period since the last Ontario Closed Championship, as of the day of the competition, must declare in writing, his or her intention to dance for Ontario only, during that dance year and shall not have represented any other province during the last six months. 12.6 Dancers chosen to represent Ontario at the Closed Canadian Championship with a view to representing Canada at an international event must be members of OADA as evidenced by a current membership card and entry in the Official Master Register. Such representatives must possess the required qualifications dictated by CADA. OADA will only sponsor financially the OADA member if
an inter provincial partnership should win the Ontario Closed.

12.7 All negotiations for the appearance of Ontario competitive dancers in provinces outside Ontario shall be carried out between OADA and the corresponding governing body of the province concerned. Any Ontario teams intending to accept an invitation to participate in a contest in another province must obtain permission from OADA. This only applies where competitors or teams are invited as 'Representatives of Ontario'.

12.8 All negotiations for the appearance of Canadian competitive dancers in countries outside Canada shall be carried out between CADA and the corresponding governing body of the country concerned. Any Canadian teams intending to accept an invitation to participate in a contest in another country must obtain permission from CADA. This only applies where competitors or teams are invited as 'Representatives of Canada'.

13.0 PENALTIES FOR RULE VIOLATIONS 13.1 A special sub-committee chosen from the Executive and made up of the President, Vice-President, Membership Chairperson and three other members will consider all violations. Disciplinary action where necessary, will be in accordance with the Association's rules and regulations. In the case of non-OADA members, the committee will recommend what action should be taken. 13.2 DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS
Warnings will no longer be given for violations. The competitor will not be allowed to compete, if he or she is not dressed in accordance with the dress code rules.
Penalties for not adhering to the dress code, will apply to adult as well as juvenile and junior categories. 13.3 OTHER RULE VIOLATIONS DURING COMPETITION
- Couple is warned by penalty judge for any infraction in the first round of a competition. - If the infraction is repeated in subsequent rounds except the final, the couple must receive 0 points in that particular dance for that round.

- If the infraction occurs in the final round then:

a) for the first violation they are reduced one placing in that dance;
b) for the second and any subsequent violations the couple must be placed last in that dance.
- In the case of a tie, the couple with the least number of infractions is placed higher. 14.0 REINSTATEMENT 14.1 A dancer who has infringed the rules governing amateur status and who wishes to be reinstated as an amateur must apply in writing to OADA. Refer to 14.8. There is a fee payable to OADA for reinstatement. 14.2 Should an amateur dancer be reinstated and again breaches amateur status, reinstatement would not be granted a second time.

14.3 Any applicant who is declined reinstatement by OADA has the right of appeal directly to CADA.

14.4 Any dancer who has been a professional but who has been reinstated by OADA or CADA and subject to a waiting period, if prescribed, shall not be admitted to the Association until the expiry of the waiting period.

14.5 The waiting period after reinstatement as an amateur and prior to admission to the association shall be a minimum of one year after the last professional activity of the applicant.

14.6 The Executive will only review applications for reinstatement twice yearly in January and June.

Applications should be submitted well in advance of these dates so that:

a) The Executive can conduct the investigation.
b) The application can be published in the Dance Scene to inform the membership.
c) Members can submit any objections they have against the reinstatement to the Executive.

14.7 Reinstatement Restrictions.

14.7.1 Reinstated dancers will not be licensed to compete below the silver level upon reinstatement.

14.7.2 A person will not be reinstated if any of the following apply:

a) competed as an amateur at Pre-Championship or higher
b) competed as a professional DanceSport competitor
c) taught DanceSport competitors (except as provided in Appendix 1)
d) judged competitors.

14.7.3 If a person is reinstated he/she:

a) will start at least one level higher than that competed as an amateur
b) must be tested by two (2) CDTA judges of OADA's choice
c) will receive no funding from OADA for a minimum of two (2) years.
d) can not stand for an OADA office for a period of two (2) years.
e) has only a period of 30 days within which he/she must become an OADA member. If he/she does not, then his/her reinstatement is null & void.

14.8 Application for Reinstatement

Under the authority of CADA it is necessary for all professional dancers seeking reinstatement as amateurs to submit a written application responding to the following questions and provide the information listed here about their professional ballroom dancing activities.

14.8.1. Have you accepted money for teaching? If so, how much did you earn?

14.8.2. For what period of time have you been teaching?

14.8.3. Have you accepted money for presenting a demonstration? If so, how many times, what was your fee and what type of dances were demonstrated?

14.8.4. Have you competed in any professional competitions? If so, what, were the results? When did this take place?

14.8.5. Do you currently, or have you ever, held membership in a professional association? If so, what was your membership classification?

14.8.6. Have you taken any training as a professional? If so, give details.

14.8.7. Have you taken any professional examinations? If so, when were they taken and what were the results?

14.8.8. When did you cease acting as a professional?

14.8.9. Why do you think that you should be reinstated as an amateur and permitted to join OADA? A personal appearance before the Executive may be required.

14.8.10. When you last competed as an amateur, what was your minimum qualified grade and age category for competitive purposes?

14.8.11. Provide any other information about your past amateur and professional activities that you believe relate to your application.

14.8.12. Your application must be accompanied by letters from two professionals who are members of CDTA but are not your coaches, stating "the minimum grade at which you should be permitted to compete as an amateur", if you are reinstated.

15.0 BASIC COMPETITION RULES

Promoters MUST follow these rules if they wish OADA to sanction the competition for OADA competitors.

15.1 A maximum of seven (7) or less couples constitute a final. Eight (8) or more couples necessitate a semi-final.

15.2 It is compulsory that at least 50% of the competitors taking part shall pass forward to the next round.

15.3 Semi-finals: Due to recent Rule changes by the IDSF and CADA, it is permitted (but not compulsory in Ontario) to dance the semi-final in two heats.

Competitors reaching the final must dance in one heat.

(The only exception to this is if the floor is too small and an OADA executive has given prior approval. In this case the heats must be mixed for each dance so that all competitors have an equal chance. Usually this would only be considered for the Quickstep.)

15.4 The floor size must be adequate. (Championship rules state: fifty (50) by thirty-five (35) feet) (15.5m. X 11m.)

15.5 Separate changing rooms for male and female competitors shall be provided.

15.6 The dances competed in must be the same ones advertised on the flyer.

15.7 The same piece of music shall be played for all heats in a round, but a different piece of music may be played in subsequent rounds.

15.8 There must be adequate intervals of time between rounds and competitions.

15.9 In all rounds the music played shall be a minimum of one and a half (1 1/2) minutes and a maximum of two (2) minutes duration for the Waltz, Tango, Slow Fox-trot, Quickstep, Samba, Cha-Cha, Rumba, and Paso Doble. The time for the Viennese Waltz and Jive shall be a minimum of one (1) minute and a maximum of one and a half (1 1/2) minutes.

15.10 The tempi for each dance shall be:

Waltz 28 - 30 bars/min Samba 50 - 52 bars/min

Tango 31 - 33 bars/min Cha-Cha 30 - 32 bars/min

Viennese Waltz 58 - 60 bars/min Rumba 25 - 27 bars/min

Slow Fox-trot 28 - 30 bars/min Paso Doble 60 - 62 bars/min

Quickstep 50 - 52 bars/min Jive 42 - 44 bars/min

15.11 A minimum of three (3) judges shall be used. It is recommended that a minimum of five (5) judges be used. It is recommended that an odd number of judges be used. All judges must hold a qualification recognized by OADA

15.12 Judges are under no obligation to justify their adjudication of competition couples. During the competition or in the interval between competition rounds, a judge may not discuss any competitor's performance with that or any other competitor, or with any spectator, except in his or her capacity as Chairperson of judges.

15.13 Where there is more than one heat in a round and each judge has been requested to vote for a certain number of couples to go forward to the next round, the number of couples selected from each heat to make up this number shall be at the discretion of each voting judge. In all rounds the judges must vote for the full number of couples required to be returned.

15.14 In the final, a judge may not 'tie' two or more couples in any one or more dances.
15.15 Judges who cohabit must not serve on any judging panel at the same time.

15.16 No judge may judge a competitor to whom the judge is related, married to, or with whom the judge cohabits, unless each obtains prior authorization in writing from the organizer and OADA. A relation shall be defined as a member of one's immediate family from grandparents down to grandchildren.

15.17 A penalty judge must be hired for all medal competitions.

15.18 A chairperson of judges is only compulsory for championships and must hold a qualified scrutineer's certificate and suitably recognized adjudication credentials.

15.19 Promoters are not allowed to hold practice rounds of competitors of a particular event in front of the judges.

15.20 It is recommended that competitors be notified of recalls prior to the M.C. announcing them. (either by notice board or floor manager).

15.21 The promoter must engage a qualified scrutineer. The scrutineer’s results along with the list of competitors must be forwarded to the OADA membership chairperson within 2 weeks of the competition.

15.22 Competitors shall be given a reasonable opportunity to inspect the scrutineering sheets after the announcement of all of the results and prior to leaving the competition hall.

15.23 The M.C. shall announce the final results in the reverse order of merit, from last to first.

15.24 Competitors must remain in costume for awards, unless more than one (1) hour has lapsed from the completion of their event. In championship events all competitors must remain in costume to receive their award.

15.25 No amateur competition may be entitled a Championship, and no amateur Championship may be awarded, without the prior authorization in writing of OADA.

15.26 Competitors must dance with the same partner for all categories on the same competition. The only exception is when they are switching to standard or latin.

15.27 Effective July 13,1997, OADA will charge all promoters, a sanctioning fee to run an Amateur competition.

16.0 Issues not covered by the published rules

Should any issue arise which is not covered by these rules, it shall be referred to the Executive Committee of OADA for consideration. Their decision shall be final.

O.A.D.A. COMPETITORS' CODE of ETHICS

1. When a competitor shows up at a competition, he/she must at any time conduct himself/herself in a civil and sportsmanship manner
2. A competitor must be present and prepared to compete one half hour (1/2) before the published and scheduled start time of a his/her competition, since a competition organizer may adjust the published schedule without being obliged to wait.

3. A competitor must register himself/herself only in the categories to which he/she is admissible.

4. A competitor who registers in a competition must accept the judges' decision as being final. No possibility of appeal will be considered except if it can be proven that there was a mistake in scrutineering.

5. No competitor must harass or question a judge on his/her personal reasons for the rank awarded.

6. When a competitor is on the dance floor to participate in a parade and or to receive a trophy or award, he/she must do so in appropriate dance costume. He/she must not at any time wear a studio jacket (windbreaker), robe or any other inappropriate clothing.

7. A competitor who removes a scrutineer's result posting, will be liable to a sanction or discipline.

Part 2: OADA Competition Rules

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