NZDA Chart Ranking

The New Zealand Dancesport Association, as the New Zealand affiliate member of IDSF, has the right to select couples to compete in International invitational events such as the World Championships in all amateur ages divisions. Couples must be able to compete in A grade events to be eligible to be selected, these couples gain ranking points during the year at regional NZDA events as well as New Zealand national championships.

The New Zealand Dancesport Association, as the New Zealand affiliate member of IDSF, has the right to select couples to compete in International invitational events such as the World Championships in all amateur ages divisions. The decision was made in 2007 to select couples using a chart ranking system.

To be eligible to represent New Zealand, through the Chart Ranking system, must be:

	Ashan Samarasinghe and Loryn Reynolds Styles: Ballroom Age Division: Adult Profile - Ashan and Eleanor formed a dance partnership in March 2010.
	Mathew Nicholson and Jenna Spyve Styles: Ballroom, Latin and New Vogue Age Division: Adult Mathew Nicholson - At the age of 6 I got lucky - I found my passion - Dancesport - and I have to thank my sister Rebecca for that - as if I wasn't dragged along to watch her lessons I would never have started dancing. In 2008 with my previous partner I was the NZ Youth A grade (NV, Latin, Modern and 10 dance) Champion and the NZ Adult 10 dance and NV Champion. We also represented NZ at the 2008 World Adult Latin in Melbourne and the NZ World Youth 10 Dance in Singapore which were awesome experiences. Jenna Spyve - Dancing is in my blood, as my parents Rhys and Leona have previously represented NZ at World events and my sister Kirsten also competes. Six years ago I fell in love with dancing and I have been competitively active in it ever since. With my previous partner I have won NZ National Junior and Youth titles and won two Australian National Youth Titles at the 2008 Australian Dancesport Championships. Since joining forces at the beginning of this year this dynamic couple have achieved: • NZ National A Grade Adult 10 Dance Champion • NZ National A Grade Adult New Vogue Champion • 2nd NZ National A Grade Adult Latin • 3rd NZ National A Grade Adult Standard • 2nd NCDC Canberra 10 Dance • Finalist in NCDC Canberra and South Pacifics Sydney Adult New Vogue They plan to continue to support NZ competitions and also to attend many international events in the coming year and to make the most of every opportunity to grow their dancing.
	Ron Hinvest and Cecilia Hung Styles: Ballroom and New Vogue Age Division: Senior Ron and Cecilia are one of Auckland's active competitive senior couples and say they always enjoy the friendly atmosphere at local and international comps. Cecilia started dancing with her husband Bernard in 2006 but he decided the comp floor was not for him and concentrates on Medals and enjoys filming the events. Cecilia and Ron met in 2007 and started dancing competitively in 2008 winning all Masters 2 Levels 1 and 2 Standard and New Vogue events at the Gold Coast, Queensland in Easter 2008. A great start indeed and they have since been placed many times in NZ national and local events. Their most recent achievement was in Melbourne at the Aussie Nationals in December winning Level 3 New Vogue which now makes them Senior B NV in NZ. They say they particularly love the elegance and charm of the New Vogue style and will concentrate on developing more advanced technique in 2010. They say those Aussies are a real challenge - especially in the higher levels!
	Shae Mountain and Samantha Gemmell Styles: Ballroom, Latin and New Vogue Age Division: Adult Shae Mountain and Samantha Gemmell Shae and Samantha are just starting their fifth year together as a successful dance partnership. They started as a juvenile couple in early 2006 winning their first national title. Shae and Sam moved rapidly through the junior grades gaining more national titles and more recently in 2009 winning Australian and South pacific Titles. In 2010 Shae and Sam will move into the adult and youth age divisions. In their last year as a junior couple they accomplished the following: • All three Styles in the NZ Junior Open 9 Dance and A grade events Runner up • South Pacific Junior Open Latin Champions • South Pacific Junior Open and Level 3 New Vogue Runner up • South Pacific Junior Level 3 and Open Standard Finalists • Australian Junior Open Latin Champions • Australian Junior Open Standard Champions • Australian Junior Level 3 Standard Champions • Australian Junior Level 3 New Vogue Champions • Australian Junior Open New Vogue Finalists Shae and Sam are looking forward to competing in Youth and Adult as they will have more competition and be dancing a lot more events. They are both passionate about dancing and love travelling and competing at many different competitions. They will continue to work hard with new goals to achieve this year.
	Ron Drever and Ellen Shek Styles: Ballroom, New Vogue and Latin Age Division: Adult and Senior Profile - Current Titles: 2009 Australian Master 2 Level 3 Standard Partnership formed in March 2008 after Ron's previous partner with whom he won two Latin and one New Vogue Senior NZ titles moved to Brazil. Ellen began dancing in 1992 in Hong Kong where she achieved much success. She is also a former NZ champion winning a Senior Standard title in 2006. We are very pleased with what we have achieved in National and International competition given we live 140km apart and put much of our time and resources into supporting others. Other common interests are fishing, gardening, pottery and photography along with a Waikato rural property and Ron's job as Regional Manager for Telstraclear. In 2009 Ellen brought Kristijan Pavlovic and Sandra Orgonas to NZ from Serbia. Watching them win the Adult A Grade and Open Latin NZ titles, then go on to represent NZ at the IDSF World Latin Championship in Maribor Slovenia was a hugely satisfying experience. Our favourite competition would have to be the Blackpool Dance Festival. 2010 will be the 9th visit to this magical place for Ellen and the 4th for Ron. Spectators for the last three years but may dance this time. Ellen would love to repeat her success of 2002 when she made the 2nd round of the British (and open to the world) Senior Ballroom Championship. We look forward to many competitions in 2010 with lots of energy and enthusiasm and the challenges they will bring.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DANCING!!