WDSF Hall of Fame to Celebrate a Century DanceSport 10/02/2021

The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) is proud to announce the launch of the WDSF Hall of Fame, an institution aimed at preserving and celebrating the rich history of DanceSport, whose roots stretch back to the 1920s.

In its first incarnation, the HOF will focus exclusively on Standard and Latin disciplines, which have a strong and storied heritage within the WDSF. The HOF will eventually be expanded to include other disciplines such as Rock’n’Roll, Salsa, Boogie-Woogie, Disco, Stage, Smooth, Hip-Hop and Breaking.

With 100 years of history to choose from, the WDSF Hall of Fame will become the touchpoint for DanceSport enthusiasts and the general public to find inspiration through the world’s greatest dancers, coaches, volunteers, event organisers and other DanceSport pioneers.

A dedicated website for the Hall of Fame is under construction, with the official launch expected to occur in the first quarter of 2021. A location for a physical Hall of Fame is also under consideration.

“Our athletes are the heart and soul of DanceSport and the WDSF Hall of Fame is designed with them in mind,” says WDSF President Shawn Tay. “The Hall of Fame will tell the stories of our greatest dancers, celebrate their many accomplishments, and showcase a century of DanceSport for future generations of dance fans and enthusiasts.”

The Hall of Fame will, at least initially, honour inductees in six specific categories:

• The “Hall of Famers Award,” presented to athletes (individuals, couples or teams);

• The “Excellence in Coaching Award,” presented to coaches with a history of developing top individual dancers, couples, or teams;

• The “Lifetime Service Award,” presented to volunteers who have made sacrifices for the benefit of DanceSport. Inductees may include but are not limited to adjudicators, chairpersons, scrutineers and contributors;

• The “Outstanding Event Award,” presented to organisers of events of the highest calibre that showcase the best of DanceSport; and

• The “DanceSport Legends Award,” presented to pioneers or exceptional performers who have made an indelible mark on the history (and in some cases even the future) of DanceSport.

Nominations for induction into the Hall of Fame will come directly from the WDSF’s 91 National Member Bodies (NMBs) or the WDSF Nomination Committee. Finalists will be determined by a Selections Committee before being presented to the Board of Honours to select the winners, who will be presented with their awards at an annual WDSF Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

“The WDSF Hall of Fame is one of our most celebrated projects and is the latest link connecting the history and the future of DanceSport,” says Chair of the WDSF Athletes’ Commission Ashli Williamson. “Creating the possibility to give back to our DanceSport community and to give them the recognition that they deserve. Being able to highlight role models for the next generation and give them the inspiration to strive high, practice harder and, most importantly, to never ever give up.

“I am so much looking forward to following this project for years to come and feel privileged to have been a part of this amazing project from its conception. To all of our future Hall of Famers and winners of our highest achievement awards: Thank you for your contribution to DanceSport. Looking forward to seeing how much more we all can achieve together!”

More information on the WDSF Hall of Fame can be found here.