1. |
TITLE |
1.1. |
The Federation shall be entitled "The Irish Dance Sport Federation" hereafter referred to as "the Federation" |
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| 2. |
AIMS |
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The aims of the Federation shall be the; |
| 2.1. |
Promotion, encouragement and improvement of Sport Dancing in its various forms. |
| 2.2. |
Protection of the interests of Sport Dancers. |
| 2.3. |
Regulation and governing of questions affecting amateur status. |
| 2.4. |
Regulation and governing of Sport Dance competitions and championships. |
| 2.5. |
Sanctioning and promotion of Sport Dance competitions. |
| 2.6. |
Protection and governing of titles of Sport Dance trophies and championships. |
| 2.7. |
Registration of competitors in Sport Dance. |
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| 3. |
MEMBERSHIP |
| 3.1. |
The Federation shall consist of members who are Sport Dancers, |
| 3.2. |
Applicants for membership must fill in and sign an application form which must be accompanied by the prescribed annual membership
fee. Application forms may be obtained from the Hon. Secretary or members of the Council. |
| 3.3. |
The election of members shall be at the discretion of the Council, after being proposed and seconded by two members in good
standing of the Federation. Should the application be refused the subscription will be refunded. |
| 3.4. |
If the members of the Council consider it desirable in the interests of the Federation that any member should cease to be a member
owing to: (a) Loss of amateur status (b) any breach of the rules (c) conduct
prejudicial to the Federation (d) any other reason, the Council shall request such person to resign. If the said member does not resign within twenty one days the Council shall have power to suspend or expel such member from the Federation. |
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| 4. |
SUBSCRIPTIONS |
| 4.1. |
The annual subscription (membership fee) of the Federation shall be fixed at the Annual General Meeting of the Federation. |
| 4.2. |
The annual subscription shall be payable on the first day of January each year. |
| 4.3. |
Any member who fails to pay his or her annual subscription before the first day of February in any year shall be automatically
suspended from the Federation, and will be required to make application for re-admittance. |
| 4.4. |
A suspended member may not take part in any competition sanctioned by the Federation or its Affiliates. |
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| 5. |
GENERAL MEETINGS |
| 5.1. |
The Federation shall hold at least one General Meeting of its members each year, which meeting shall be entitled the Annual General
Meeting, hereafter referred to as the AGM. The AGM shall receive, and if approved, adopt a statement of the Federation’s accounts to the end of the previous financial year. The financial year shall be the calendar year.
Such statement will be verified by Audited Accounts or production of appropriate Bank Statements. |
| 5.2. |
An AGM must be held within fifteen calendar months of the preceding one, but will normally take place in the same month in each
year. |
| 5.3. |
An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at any time by the Council, or by the Hon. Secretary within twenty eight days of
receiving a written application stating the business to be transacted, signed by not less than fifteen members. Should the Hon. Secretary fail to call
such a meeting when requested to do so, the requisitionists may take the necessary steps to arrange such a meeting. The Hon. Secretary must supply a copy of the names and addresses of the current members to the requisitionists
for this purpose. This must be used for the stated purpose only. |
| 5.4. |
The quorum for a general meeting shall be arrived at in the following manner. If the number of members does not exceed ten,
the quorum shall be five. If the number of members exceeds ten, an additional member shall be added to the number required to make up such a quorum for every five additional members up to fifty. Should the membership
exceed fifty, an additional member for every ten members over fifty is required to make up a quorum. No quorum shall exceed thirty members. |
| 5.5. |
Should a quorum not be present at a general meeting the Chairman may, with the consent of the those attending, adjourn the meeting
from time to time, or place to place. |
| 5.6. |
The right to vote at a General Meeting will only be gained after a minimum period of one year's continuous membership of the
Federation. |
| 5.7. |
Only members in good standing attending a general meeting shall be entitled to vote on any issue. Each such member shall have
only one vote on any issue. |
| 5.8. |
Issues shall be decided by a majority of the members voting. In the case of equality, the Hon. Chairman shall have a
second, or casting vote. |
| 5.9. |
Notice of, and an agenda of the issues to be discussed shall be posted to members not less than seven days prior to a general
meeting. |
| 5.10. |
Only items on the agenda shall be decided at a general meeting. Members wishing to place matters on the agenda for a general
meeting must notify the Hon. Secretary in writing not less than twenty one days prior to the date of the general meeting. |
| 5.11. |
Matters arising under any other business shall be decided by the Council at the following Council meeting. |
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| 6. |
AMATEUR STATUS |
| 6.1. |
An amateur is one who; |
| 6.1.1. |
takes part in Sport Dance without material gain or personal profit for the pleasure and physical, mental and social benefit.. |
| 6.1.2. |
has not declared him/herself a professional. |
| 6.1.3. |
has not commenced training as a professional. |
| 6.1.4. |
has not undertaken a course of study for a professional examination. |
| 6.1.5. |
has not taken a professional examination. |
| 6.1.6. |
has not taken part in a competition limited to professionals. |
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| 6.2. |
An amateur shall not; |
| 6.2.1. |
demonstrate dancing, except as provided by Rule 7. |
| 6.2.2. |
accept for the performance of dancing prizes or remuneration other than honour prizes, particularly money or vouchers. |
| 6.2.3. |
convert prizes into money. |
| 6.2.4. |
take part in any type of dance sport in connection with which expenses are paid to competitors except as provided hereunder. It is permissible for an amateur to receive adequate travelling expenses to and from a town in which such amateur does not reside and adequate hotel expenses in
such town (limited to the day or days of the competition, and one day before, and one day afterwards), provided such expenses are in reimbursement of actual expenses incurred, if and when invited by the organisers of a competition in
such town, to participate in such competition, provided such expenses are received with the approval of the Federation. |
| 6.2.5.1 |
teach dancing, except as specifically licensed to do so by Council of the Federation, in writing. This licence will only be
granted to those who have (a) passed an examination in the syllabus of figures for each of the Standard and Latin dances and (b) agreed to adhere to the guidelines governing Amateurs teaching, as laid down by the Federation. The
syllabus and guidelines are obtainable from the Hon. Secretary. The term of the licence is for one year from the date of successful completion of the examination. The licence may be renewed on completion of a revision
examination. It may be revoked at any time should Council deem it prudent to do so. All expenses for any examination will be borne by the candidate. Any Amateur holding such a licence may advertise for pupils,
provided such advertisement contains the words – “Licensed to teach DanceSport by the Irish DanceSport Federation”. teach dancing, except as specifically authorised by Council of the Federation, in writing. |
| 6.2.5.2 |
Should an Amateur wish to appeal against a revocation of a licence to teach s/he should in the first instance write to the Hon. Secretary within
fourteen days of receipt of notice of such revocation outlining the reasons for such appeal. On receipt of such notice of appeal the Council shall appoint an investigative body consisting of the Hon. Chairman or his/her nominee
and three Council members to investigate the matter and decide if the original revocation were valid. |
| 6.2.5.3 |
The Amateur(s) concerned shall be invited to attend a meeting called by this body at which all aspects of revocation shall be investigated. The
decision of this body shall be notified in writing to the Amateur(s) concerned within fourteen days. |
| 6.2.5.4 |
In the event of the Amateur(s) concerned wishing to appeal against this decision they
should notify the Hon. Secretary within fourteen days. The matter shall then be brought before the Council who shall act as an appeal body whose decision shall be final and binding on the Amateur(s) concerned |
| 6.2.6. |
adjudicate dancing, except as specifically authorised by Council of the Federation in writing. |
| 6.3. |
A professional in any form of dancing may not dance as an amateur in any form of DanceSport. |
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| 7. |
DISPLAYS BY AMATEURS |
| 7.1. |
A member or accredited competitor may not demonstrate without having received prior permission in writing from the Council.
Permission will only be granted for a charity, or for a group or association with which a member of the couple has had a lengthy period of contact, or if the Council believes such demonstration or display will advance the cause of
Dance Sport. |
| 7.2. |
Applications for demonstrations must be received in writing by the Hon. Secretary not less than twenty one days prior to the event.
Such applications must state the date, time, venue, and purpose of the display. It should include details of any expenses and/or fee payable. Applications in respect of adult dancers must be from the dancers themselves.
Applications in respect of Juveniles and Juniors will be accepted from their parent, guardian, or teacher. Applications in respect of film appearances must be made by the production company involved. |
| 7.3. |
Should permission be granted, it must be announced at the event, and in any pre-publicity, that the participating couple(s) are
amateurs, and that permission has been granted by the Irish Dance Sport Federation, a member of the International Dance Sport Federation. In the case of
film or television appearances, this statement in the credits is deemed sufficient. |
| 7.4. |
Permission to demonstrate shall be at the discretion of the Council. |
| 7.5. |
Where such permission is granted the Council may at its discretion delegate a member to attend the event as observer. Any
expenses incurred in this must be met by the applicant |
| 7.6. |
Any fees other than direct expenses, must be paid to the Federation. These will be reimbursed in full to the dancer(s)
concerned without any administrative deduction. |
7.7. |
Any Amateur dancer will be limited to no more than four paid demonstrations in any period of twelve months. |
7.8. |
Violation of this rule will result in a suspension for a minimum period of six months or three competitions, whichever is the
greater. |
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| 8. |
COUNCIL |
| 8.1. |
At the AGM the members shall elect a Council of not less than seven, or more than fifteen members. |
| 8.2. |
The Council shall elect from its members at the first Council meeting following the AGM the following officers; Hon. Chairman, Hon.
Secretary, Hon. Treasurer. It may appoint such additional officers as it may deem necessary. |
| 8.3. |
At the first Council meeting following the AGM the Council shall set a quorum for subsequent Council meetings. |
| 8.4. |
The affairs of the Federation shall be managed by the Council. |
| 8.5. |
The Council shall be empowered to co-opt further members up to a maximum of fifteen. |
| 8.6. |
The Council shall be empowered to appoint; |
| 8.6.1. |
sub-committees. |
| 8.6.2. |
delegates to All-Ireland Board of Ballroom Dancing meetings. |
| 8.6.3. |
delegates to other local, national, or international bodies or meetings. |
| 8.7. |
Council meetings will be convened as and when the Council decides, or on reasonable notice, not less than two days, from the Hon.
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, or Hon. Secretary. Scheduled meetings may only be cancelled with the consent of the majority of Council members |
| 8.8. |
The Hon. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, or Hon. Secretary shall be empowered to call a meeting at instant notice to settle a grave matter
requiring an immediate decision. |
| 8.9. |
Any Council member missing three consecutive Council meetings shall be deemed to have resigned from the Council. |
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| 9. |
FINANCE |
| 9.1. |
All moneys received on behalf of the Federation by any member other than the Hon. Treasurer or Hon. Secretary must be promptly
handed over to one of the said officers. |
| 9.2. |
The Hon. Treasurer shall keep such banking accounts as may be approved by the Council. |
| 9.3. |
The Hon. Treasurer shall make such payments as may from time to time be directed by the Council |
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| 10. |
LOSS OF AMATEUR
STATUS THROUGH AN ACT OF PROFESSIONALISM AND REINSTATEMENT. |
| 10.1. |
Questions under this heading shall be dealt with by Council, who shall be guided by the following general principles; |
| 10.1.1. |
A professional by qualification may never be reinstated to amateur status. |
| 10.1.2. |
A professional by declaration or a student to the profession may be reinstated only to full Championship status, once only, subject
to a minimum period of one years suspension from the date of application for reinstatement. |
| 10.2. |
The date of application in all cases shall be determined by the date of the postmark of a mailed letter, or the date of delivery,
if delivered by hand. |
| 10.3. |
The findings of the Council shall be reported to the All-Ireland Board of Ballroom Dancing. |
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| 11. |
REPRESENTATION |
| 11.1 |
Representatives shall be nominated by Council. |
| 11.2. |
A birth or residential qualification is necessary for eligibility for
representation. A non-eligible partner may use the birth or residential qualification of the other half of the couple. The residential qualification period shall be twelve months immediately prior to the competition. |
11.3. |
Only couples who have attained a minimum of Pre-Championship class are eligible for selection as International representatives. |
| 11.4. |
Participation in a minimum of three Ranking competitions within the previous calendar year is necessary
before points will be allocated for International representation. On having participated in a third Ranking competition any points gained in previous competitions will be awarded. |
| 11.5. |
Ranking competitions in addition to those run by the Federation shall be nominated by Council on an Annual
basis with not less than three months notice to competitors. |
| 11.6. |
Two Ranking Points Charts will be maintained. These will be known as The Championship Chart and
the National Chart. |
| 11.7. |
The Championship Chart: Couples gaining International and National representation
from this chart will be chosen on the basis of performance in the current series of the Federation Championships, i.e. the latest run All-Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Jubilee and Open Irish Championships. The couple with the
highest number of points from any three of these Championships when the invitation is received will be the Federation’s number one representative. |
| 11.8. |
The National Chart: Couples gaining International and National representation from this chart will be
chosen on the basis of performance in the previous five Ranking competitions as detailed in 11.9. This couple will be our second representative. |
| 11.9. |
Representatives for team matches and competitions shall be selected on the basis of performance in the
last five four or five dance Ranking competitions. These will be competitions run by the Federation, or over which the Federation has direct control, or those additional competitions nominated by Council in accordance with 11.5,
prior to the receipt of the invitation. In the event of a tie, if there is sufficient time available, the result of the next Ranking competition will be used to determine the couple for representation. Otherwise the sixth
previous competition will be used. Six points will be awarded to the first eligible couple in the final, five points to the second eligible couple, and so on. Points will not be awarded to couples who are not eligible for
representation. |
| 11.10. |
Any couple missing a Ranking competition or Championship through being a representative couple shall be awarded their current number of points divided by the
number of competitions in which those points were gained rounded to the nearest whole number in both the Championship Chart and the National Chart for that Ranking competition or Championship. |
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| 12. |
COMPETITIONS |
| 12.1. |
Any competitor must be a registered member of a recognised dancing body in his or her area of residence. |
| 12.2. |
Proof of membership will be required. |
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| 13. |
PROTESTS IN COMPETITIONS |
| 13.1. |
Objections must be in writing, accompanied by a fee of IR£5.00, and lodged with the officials on the marking table. Should
the objection be sustained the IR£5.00 will be refunded to the complainant. Should it fail the fee will be forfeit to the Federation. |
| 13.2. |
No objections to a competitor's eligibility to take part in any competition will be considered unless the complainant gives his/her
name and address. |
| 13.3. |
Such objections, unless admitted by the person complained against, shall be dealt with by the Council. If there is no time to
reach a decision before the event, the competitor complained against shall be permitted to dance in the competition on the understanding that any prize he or she might win may be withheld until the decision of the Council shall be
known. |
| 13.4. |
Should the objection be sustained any prize withheld shall be passed down to the next couple, and suitable disciplinary action
taken against the offender. |
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| 14. |
BREACHES OF RULES |
| 14.1. |
A member or competitor who has committed a breach of these rules as distinct from declared professionalism or registration as a
student professional, or who in the opinion of the Federation has been guilty of unseemly conduct, or acted in any way prejudicial to Dance Sport shall be liable to disciplinary action. |
| 14.2. |
Should the Council suspect that a breach of these rules has occurred it shall appoint an investigative body consisting of the Hon.
Chairman or his/her nominee and three Council members to investigate the matter and decide on any disciplinary action required. |
| 14.3. |
The member(s) or competitor(s) concerned shall be invited to attend a meeting called by this body at which all aspects of the
alleged breach of rules shall be investigated. The decision of this body shall be notified in writing to the member(s) or competitor(s) concerned within fourteen days. |
| 14.4. |
In the event of the member(s) or competitor(s) concerned wishing to appeal against this decision they should notify the Hon.
Secretary within fourteen days. The matter shall then be brought before the Council who shall act as an appeal body whose decision shall be final and binding on the member(s) or competitor(s) concerned |
| 14.5. |
The Council may decrease or increase any penalty previously imposed at its discretion. |
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| 15. |
ALTERATION OF RULES |
| 15.1 |
These rules may not be altered or added to, save at an AGM, or at a General Meeting of the Federation convened for this purpose,
where the proposed change has been previously circulated to the members. |
| !5.2. |
The Council shall be empowered to introduce bye-laws which may come into effect immediately. Such bye laws must be ratified at
the succeeding General Meeting. |
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| 16. |
CATEGORIES OF COMPETITIONS |
| 16.1. |
Amateur competitions - Confined to Amateur competitors. |
| 16.2. |
Professional competitions - Confined to Professional competitors. |
| 16.3. |
Formation competitions - Confined to either Amateur teams or Professional teams. |
| 16.4. |
Mixed (Pro-Am) competitions - Confined to Amateur competitors dancing with a Professional. |
| 16.5. |
Team Matches - Confined to Amateur or Professional teams. |
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| 17. |
CLASSES OF AMATEUR COMPETITIONS |
| 17.1 |
Class A (Championship) - Open to all competitors |
| 17.1.1 |
Competitors who win a Championship in any of the following age groups; Youth, Adult, Senior (Over 35 Years) or Senior (Over 50
Years) are confined to Championship class in all of these age groups. |
| 17.2 |
Class B (Pre-Championship) - Confined to competitors who have not; |
| 17.2.1 |
Won a Championship. |
| 17.3. |
Class C (Intermediate) - Confined to competitors who have not; |
| 17.3.1. |
Won an aggregate of six class C (Intermediate) or higher class competitions. |
| 17.3.2. |
Won a Championship. |
| 17.4. |
Class D (Novice) - Confined to competitors who have not; |
| 17.4.1. |
Won an aggregate of six class D (Novice) or higher class competitions. |
| 17.4.2. |
Won a Championship. |
| 17.4.3. |
Won a Championship in a lower age group. |
| 17.5. |
Class E (Beginner) - Confined to competitors who have not; |
| 17.5.1. |
Won an aggregate of six class E (Beginner) or higher class competitions. |
| 17.5.2. |
Won a Championship. |
| 17.5.3 |
Juvenile and Junior competitors may regain Class E (Beginner) status in a higher age group provided they have not won a
Championship. |
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18. AGE GROUPS
18.1.
Under Eight (8) years - Confined to
competitors who have not reached their
eighth
birthday.
18.2. Juvenile -
Confined to competitors who have not reached
their twelfth
birthday.
18.3. Junior -
Confined to competitors who have reached
their twelfth, but not their sixteenth
birthday.
In a partnership established
for not less than twelve months where the
older partner has reached the age of twelve
years the younger partner may elect to
compete in Junior competitions with the
older partner, provided the younger partner
has reached their eleventh birthday. Having
opted for Junior they may not revert to
Juvenile competitions.
18.4. Youth -
Confined to competitors where the older
member of a partnership has reached their
sixteenth, but not their nineteenth
birthday.
18.5.1.
Adult
- Confined to competitors where the older
member of a partnership has reached their
sixteenth birthday.
18.6.
Senior 1
- Confined to competitors where both
partners have reached their
thirty fifth birthday.
18.7.
Senior 2
- Confined to competitors where both
partners have reached their
forty fifth birthday.
18.8.
Senior 3
- Confined to competitors where both
partners have reached their
fifty fifth birthday.
18.9.
Social
- Confined to competitors where both
partners have reached their
thirtieth birthday, and who have not
been accredited competitors in the past
fifteen years. |
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| 19 |
SANCTIONING OF COMPETITIONS |
| 19.1. |
Applications for sanction to promote a competition must be received in writing by the Hon. Secretary not less than ninety (90) days
prior to the event. |
| 19.2. |
Applications for sanction must detail all events scheduled, not just those requiring sanction. An approximate timetable must
be included. |
| 19.3. |
A short list of adjudicators from which the panel will be chosen must be provided, listing their qualifications. |
| 19.4. |
The date and venue must be stated. |
| 19.5. |
No announcement of the competition or pre-publicity is permitted prior to sanction. |
| 19.6. |
After sanction any announcement, pre-publicity, or programme must include a statement or announcement that the competition is held
with the permission of The Irish Dance Sport Federation. |
| 19.7. |
No competitions other than those sanctioned may be run. |
| 19.8. |
A Scrutineer appointed by the Federation must be at the marking table for each competition. Should the event exceed four hours
the Scrutineer must be provided with a meal. Any legitimate expenses incurred by the Scrutineer must be reimbursed by the promoter. |
| 19.9. |
A copy of the markings of each competition must be supplied to the Federation immediately after each competition. |
| 19.10. |
No Radio, Television or Videography of the event shall take place without prior permission from the Federation. |
| 19.11. |
Under 8 years and Juvenile competitions must be completed and prizes awarded before 8.00 p.m. at any competition. Junior
competitions must be completed and prizes awarded before 9.00 p.m. at any competition. |
| 19.12. |
Under 8 years, Juvenile, Junior, Senior and Over 50s competitors must have their date of birth registered with the Federation, or
with the registering authority in their area of residence. |
| 19.13. |
Adult, Senior and Over 50s competitors must be accredited competitors with the Federation. |
| 19.14. |
A list of intending competitors with their intended competitions must be supplied to the Federation not less than five days prior to
the competition for verification. |
| 19.15. |
A certificate of Public Liability insurance covering the event must be produced by the applicant. |
| 19.16. |
Guideline: It is emphasised that sanction is a privilege, not a right, and is for one event only. Sanction will only be
granted once per annum to a promoter. Joint principals of schools will not be considered as separate promoters. |
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20. ACCREDITED
COMPETITORS
20.1. Competitors
in all age groups as defined by Rule 18
must register by completing a Registration
Form and submitting it together with their
Birth Certificate to the Hon. Registrar.
The Birth Certificate will not be retained
by the Federation, but will be returned
immediately.
20.2. Youth,
Adult, and Senior competitors must in
addition to being a member of the Federation
or its Affiliates register annually as a
competitor with the Federation. This is
done by completing a Registration form and
submitting it to the Hon. Treasurer together
with the prescribed Registration fee. Where
a birth certificate has previously been
submitted it is not usually necessary to
re-submit it.
20.3. The
prescribed annual registration fee for an
Accredited Competitor is €5.00, or such sum
as may be approved from time to time at an
AGM.
20.4. An
accredited competitor must comply with the
provisions of Rule 6 - Amateur Status.
20.5.
Accreditation as a competitor will be lost
by breaking any of these rules or by taking
part in a competition that is not sanctioned
by the Federation or its Affiliates. The
onus for ensuring that a competition is
sanctioned rests with the competitor.
20.6.1.
Each competitor will be supplied with
a registration card which must be available
for scrutiny by the Scrutineer or designated
official at any competition.
20.7.
Accreditation as a competitor will be lost
if s/he is found to be using performance
enhancing drugs as defined by the
International DanceSport Federation
and the World Anti
Doping Agency.
The Federation shall have the right to
demand a dope test at any time from a
competitor. Failure to comply with this
demand will result in loss of accreditation.
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| 21. |
INTERPRETATION OF RULES |
| 21.1. |
In any case of doubt, the interpretation and application of these rules shall be as interpreted by the Council of the Federation. |
| 21.2. |
Matters not covered by these rules shall be determined by the Council, whose decision shall be final and binding. |
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| 22. |
VIDEOS AT COMPETITIONS< |
Welcome to Irish DanceSport Federations Rules.