The following rules should be read in light of the AIDA Inc. Mission statement, the objective of which is to encourage good sportsmanship in a healthy, positive and fair spirited environment. This objective should be upheld by ALL teachers, dancers, parents and spectators at all events.

AIDA QLD Inc. has a Child Protection Policy (CPP) that is available for review by parents, Guardians etc. If you wish to view this CPP please see a feis organiser or your teacher.

1. Competitors must be pupils of Registered Teachers with An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha. Dancers who are resident in Australia are required to be registered with AIDA Inc for the year 2025

2. Dancers must reside within the Queensland region and will be required to fulfil the requirements, enabling them to compete, as set down by AIDA Qld Inc and proof of age must also have been ascertained.

3. Entries must be submitted on the official entry form and fees paid by the due date. Late entries will be accepted at double the entry fee up to one week after the official closing date.

4. All competitors must be ready to commence their section at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. The Feis organising committee has the right to commence sections up to 30 minutes prior to the advertised start time.

5. It is the competitor’s responsibility to be in the marshalling area when called, otherwise they may miss their event.

6. The association reserves the right to amend the order of dancers at any time.

7. In the case of a tie, there will be no dance off. Competitors in the next position will move back a place.

8. Competitors will be required to dance to music supplied by the association. Teachers are permitted to supply their own music for Choreography & Figure Dance events only.

9. If there is a problem with music, either manual or recorded, the dancer will be permitted to re-dance.

10. If a dancer loses a heel, a complete shoe or has an open lace, he/she may stand back allowing the other dancer to continue dancing uninhibited. Such a dancer will then be allowed to re-dance.

11. Should a dancer fall on stage, whether in solos or in teams, the adjudicator MUST ring the bell to stop the performance of the dancer(s). Dancers so affected will be permitted to re-dance and will be marked then at the discretion of each individual adjudicator.

12. Should a dancer slip, bump into another dancer or have a costume malfunction whether in solos or in teams, the bell will be rung at the discretion of the adjudicators to stop the performance of the dancer(s). Dancers so affected will be permitted to re-dance and will be marked then at the discretion of each individual adjudicator.

13. (a) If the judges ring the bell to stop a performance during the last eight (8) bars in Round 1 or Round 2, the dancers will only be required to dance the last 16 bars of that dance. (b) If the judges ring the bell to stop a performance during any part of an open solo set dance, the dancer will perform the entire dance for their re-dance.

14. A competitor must not walk off the stage during a performance unless instructed to do so by an adjudicator. A dancer who dismisses themselves from the stage, without the permission of an adjudicator, will not be marked for that particular dance.

15. If at any stage during a performance on stage an adjudicator feels that, due to the health and safety of a performer on stage that the performance should be stopped, the adjudicator must ring the bell.

16. Respect for fellow competitors on stage is a requirement at all times. Lack of respect or courtesy for fellow competitors by aggressive dancing on stage will be subject to penalty at the discretion of each individual adjudicator.

17. The following Rule does not apply to events for Solo Competitors 8 Years and under.

(a) Dancers beginning to dance before the stipulated introduction is completed or finishing after the conclusion of the music will automatically receive a ZERO for that round from all adjudicators.

(b) If a competitor fails to dance or complete the 1st round of a championship, they will receive ZERO marks and ZERO points from all adjudicators for that round. As a courtesy, they will be allowed to dance the second round and whilst they will receive marks from each adjudicator, they will automatically receive ZERO points and will not be allowed to dance in the open set dance round.

(c) If a competitor fails to dance or complete the 2nd round of a championship, they will receive ZERO marks and ZERO points from all adjudicators for that round and will not be allowed to dance in the open set dance round.

(d) A competitor who fails to dance or complete the open set dance round will receive ZERO marks and ZERO points from all adjudicators for that round and cannot appear in a medal winning position.

(e) Definition of complete as mentioned above, means that all bars as outlined in the syllabus are danced without any stops. Choreographed pauses in steps are permitted.

18. In all competitions in heavy dances (i.e., Jig and Hornpipe) the lead round must be danced on both the right and left foot.

19. No block, en point, stationary or moving is allowed to be performed for all ages up to and including the 11 years and under age groups.

20. Number of Dancers on stage. The following is the maximum number of dancers to dance onstage at any one time:12 Years & Under: Light Round - 3 dancers on stage per dance up to and including 12 years.Heavy Round - 3 dancers per dance from 9 years and up to 12 years – except for 7 & 8 Years as follows – these ages will dance two at a time for their heavy round. If there are three at the end of the section, the 3 dancers will dance together.All of above is subject to change depending on the size of the venue and at the discretion of the organising committee.13 Years & Over - For both Heavy & Light Rounds - 2 dancers per dance on stage for both Rounds.

21. Costume Length: Length of costumes must adhere to principles of modesty and enable dancers to safely execute their movements and steps. Skirts worn over body suits should be the same length as a full Costume and sit at the dancer’s mid-thigh at the back. Adjudicators who determine a costume to be too short or to lack modesty may ask a competitor to change into black tights (of a denier not less than 70 per cent) in order for the dancer to continue in the competition.

22. Costume dress necklines must be of collar-bone level or above. This does not preclude the use of alternative fabrics, e.g., lace as an insert.

23. Where chiffon or lace material is used as sleeves, the sleeves must start at the shoulder line and end at the cuff.

24. Appropriate underwear, covering the midriff, must be worn. Dancers not wearing appropriate undergarments will be asked to wear black tights. This will be monitored by Adjudicators.

25. Female Adult Dancers participating in Adult competitions titled “Adult Competition” both Solo & Teams are required to wear tights of a denier of not less than 70 denier.

26. Dancers of age 9 years and under are not permitted to wear Make-up (including false eyelashes and / or tanner on the face) in either solo or team (ceili / choreography) competitions unless they are dancing in a higher age group. They are however permitted tanning products on their legs.

27. The use of artificial arm aids are not permitted.

28. In accordance with our obligations under the Protection policy, dancers are reminded to wear appropriate clothing at all times whilst at the Feis (especially in the auditorium area). NB This means that shorts / skirt must be worn over leotards at all times.

29. If selling used dresses at any AIDA Feis, the dancer / parent needs to purchase a permit to be able to display the dress at the feis. The fee will be $20 for a permit. This fee is per dress, and the permit will continue to be valid to display the costume at every AIDA feis until this Costume is sold.

30. The decision of the adjudicator is final. Any protests are to be directed in writing to the Feis organisers, accompanied by a fee of $100.00, to be forfeited if the objection is over-ruled. An adjudicator cannot make a decision that would over-ride any written rule contained in this syllabus

31. To receive prizes or awards, competitors must be in full dancing costume including shoes.

32. All perpetual trophies must be returned in good condition by the person who won the trophy or by their representative to the nominated AIDA QLD. representative at least by the start of the session in which the event is being competed for. Responsibility for the loss and/or damage to any Perpetual trophies is as stated in the agreement signed at the time of presentation. The format for engraving of perpetual trophies is to be “Year; Dancer Name; Studio”. Winning Dancers are required to sign off on the Conditions for Accepting Receipt of a Perpetual Trophy

33. Competitors enter at their own risk regarding injury. AIDA QLD Inc will not accept any liability for injuries sustained. Lodgment of an entry will be deemed to be an acceptance of this provision by a dancer.

34. The Association will not enter into any correspondence with parents or non-parents concerning the organisation and procedure at a Feis unless these matters are put in writing and presented at an AIDA QLD Meeting.

35. Lodgment of an entry shall be taken to signify that the Teacher, Parent and Pupils concerned accept these rules in full and agree to strictly abide by them.

36. 2026 Queensland State Championships as a World Qualifying event, will be run in accordance with directives outlined by CLRG as per 2026 World Championships in relation to, but not limited to the distribution of the Competitor Numbers in each Championship.

PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY