This year the NDCA and BYU will be enforcing new rules regarding the age categories for amateur dancers. Beginning with the Provo High School Dancesport Festival on January 30-31, 2009, all UBA competitions will be following these rules and regulataions as well. If a couple is forced to move age classifications because of this change, they will be able to keep all Utah Dancesport Series points they have earned during the 08-09 series thus far for each style competed.

Open
For open (non-syllabus) categories, eligibility for a partnership will now be determined by the age the older dancer in the partnership will turn during the calendar year. (not their age on the day of the competition, as was previously the case) In other words, the age of the older dancer on Dec 31 of the current year. Also, dancers turning 12 must now compete as Juniors. Age categories are as follows:

• Preteen – 11 years old and younger
• Junior – 12 – 15 years old
• Youth – 15 – 18 years old. Dancers turning 19 during the current calendar year may continue to compete in the Youth age category until they graduate from high school, after which point they are no longer eligible for the Youth category.

For more information about NDCA rules and regulations, refer to the NDCA Master Rulebook.

Syllabus/Newcomer
BYU has developed a customized category system for syllabus and newcomer events to coincide with school grade levels. These age categories are determined by the current grade in school of the competitor according to the following designations:

• Elementary - K – 6th grade
• Junior high – 7th – 9th grade
• High school - 10th – 12th grade

For more information about BYU syllabus events and rules, refer to the BYU Nationals Website.