RULES
The below links show rules from AIDA Inc and An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) that affect registered dancers in Australia.
DANCER’S CODE OF CONDUCT
Purpose:
The Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc. believes our Irish Dancing Community should be truly open for everyone. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all at the many annual events organised and registered by AIDA Inc.
This code of conduct outlines our expectations for Dancers’ behaviour as well as the consequences for unacceptable behaviour. We invite all Dancers to help us realize a safe and positive experience for everyone.
Expected Behaviour
- Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behaviour and speech
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants
- Alert AIDA members and officials if you become aware of a dangerous situation or someone in distress
- Participate in an authentic and active way. In doing so, you help to build AIDA Inc as an Association that fosters Irish Dancing
Unacceptable Behaviour
Unacceptable behaviours include: intimidating, bullying, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning conduct, but are not limited to the intoxication or the use of illicit substances by any Dancers, at any AIDA related events. All AIDA event venues may be shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of these locations.
Harassment includes: offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces (including presentation slides); deliberate intimidation, stalking or following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Inappropriate use of Social Media in any of these unacceptable behavioural areas is also unacceptable.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour
Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated by AIDA Inc. If a participant engages in unacceptable behaviour, AIDA Inc. will take any action they deem appropriate. This will range from removal from the event to exclusion from future events in consultation with dancers, parents and teachers.
Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour at an AIDA Inc. registered event by an authorised person, is expected to comply immediately.
What to do if you witness or are subject to unacceptable behaviour
If you are subject to unacceptable behaviour, notice that someone else is being subjected to unacceptable behaviour, or have any other concerns, please notify AIDA Inc. as soon as possible.
AIDA Inc. take measures to assist those experiencing unacceptable behaviour to feel safe.
Scope
We expect all Dancers registered with AIDA Queensland to abide by this code of conduct at all AIDA events. A condition of annual registration of dancers with AIDA Queensland will include a signed agreement of the Irish Dancers’ Code of Conduct.
COMPETITOR RULES
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 current competition year. Due to the timing of events this may not be required for the first Feis of the calendar year.
Dancers who reside within the Queensland region will be required to fulfil the requirements enabling them to compete, as set down by AIDA Qld Inc. Proof of age must also have been ascertained.
Competitors enter at their own risk regarding injury. AIDA QLD Inc will not accept any liability for injuries sustained. Lodgement of an entry will be deemed to be an acceptance of this provision by a dancer.
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 Meeting via a member of the Association.
To receive prizes or awards, competitors must be in full dancing costume including shoes.
Social media rule for AIDA Queensland events
As a condition of entry, parents and guardians give their consent for their child to be included in photos of the event which may then be used on official AIDA Qld social media accounts. This includes being featured in any media taken (photography or video) in authorised situation by the Feis committee including, but not limited to, novice and beginner event videos and photos taken during presentations for events. If a parent or guardian is not comfortable with their child potentially being featured in any media that may get posted online, it is their responsibility to notify the Feis committee via a member of the Association, in writing, prior to the commencement of the event.
Photography
Any Form of unauthorised photography which has the capability to capture a dancer’s image whilst in motion, using electronic or manual means, e.g. mobile phone, standard camera, video camcoder, cine recorder, commercial film, with or without flash enhancement, is expressly forbidden in competition.
Source: An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha
Photography conditions for novice and beginner dancers
Following recent changes made to the photography rule as set down by An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha, Ireland, families will now be given the opportunity to film their children dancing in NOVICE AND BEGINNER SECTIONS ONLY under the guidelines set out below.
Who: Only persons known to the Dancer may be photographers. There will only be one photographer permitted per dancer per dance.
What: Video and still Photo images only. NO FLASH Photography permitted. Only those permitted to take images of the Dancer/s for whom the Photographer has been granted permission. Photography of any other Dancer is NOT Permitted. If the same dancer who competes in Novice/Beginners also competes in a higher Grade event, photography is not allowed in the higher Grade event under any circumstances.
Where: Any Novice/Beginner events of any AIDA Feis. Photographers only permitted to take photographic images from the designated area/s assigned by the Feis organisers. Prize presentation photography is permitted and is not limited to the designated photography area.
When: During the time of the actual performance on stage of the particular dancer only. Any other photography at the Feis e.g. outside the Feis venue or during warm up, is by the express permission of the Dancer and/or their guardians only.
Photography conditions for state championships
AIDA Inc (QLD) appoints an official photographer for the Championships who takes still photographs of Solo competitors, Team competitors and presentations. Such still photographs may be subsequently used for the marketing and promotional purposes of the organisation including the publication of such photographs on the official website www.aidainc.com or www.clrg.ie and AIDA Inc. or CLRG social media outlets.
AIDA Inc (QLD) may also appoint other agents during the course of the Championships for special promotional projects and reserves the right to permit suitably accredited photojournalists to take photographs on a case-by-case basis. Should any dancer or dancer’s parent or guardian wish to be excluded from any of these photographs, please contact any member of the Organising Committee with relevant details.
VIDEO RECORDING of Solo Competitors for their Set Dance performance ONLY, will be permitted for age 9 years and over. These will not be taken by the Official Photographer, however those taking the Video will be required to position themselves in a ‘specific place’ as advised by AIDA Qld. Video Recording of Choreography Teams will also be permitted by a representative of each School.
NO OTHER VIDEO RECORDING WILL BE PERMITTED.
Irish dance movements
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 group.
Artificial carriage aids rule
Any competitor found to be using artificial carriage aids and subsequently refused to remove same, will be subject to disqualification from that particular competitions. Medically prescribed apparatus (proof of which may be required) will be exempt from this ruling.
Costume rules
The An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha costume rules are worldwide rules. It is important that teachers, adjudicators, parents and dressmakers are aware of, and work within, the latest regulations. The updated rules can be found on the CLRG Website.
Dancers competing in Bun & Tus Grad in 11 years & under may only wear a Team Costume or girls may wear a skirt and top with no sleeveless tops permitted. Solo costumes and wigs are not permitted in Bun Grad for dancers 11 years and under. Boys may wear their team costume, shorts/trousers/kilt and shirt. See attached table.
NOVICE/BEGINNER (BUN) 11 yrs & under: Traditional Class Costume or Appropriate Attire (No Solo Costume). Make-up: No. Wig: No.
NOVICE/BEGINNER (BUN) 12 yrs & over: Solo Costume Allowed. Make-up: Yes. Wig: Yes.
PRIMARY (TUS) 11 yrs & under: Traditional Class Costume or Appropriate Attire (No Solo Costume). Make-up: No. Wig: No.
PRIMARY (TUS) 12 yrs & over: Solo Costume Allowed. Make-up: Yes. Wig: Yes.
INTERMEDIATE (MEAN) / OPEN (ARD) 9 yrs & under: Solo Costume Allowed. Make-up: No (Leg Tanner OK). Wig: Yes.
INTERMEDIATE (MEAN) / OPEN (ARD) 10 yrs & over: Solo Costume Allowed. Make-up: Yes. Wig: Yes.
Appropriate attire* refers to long/short-sleeved blouses/shirts & skirts/trousers, polo tops & skirts/ trousers, body suits & skirts or tunics that conform to the regular costume length rule. Low-cut tops and short tight skirts are not permitted.
Length of costume must adhere to principles of modesty and enable dancers to safely execute their movements and steps. Adjudicators who determine a costume to be too short or to lack modesty may ask a competitor to wear black tights (of a denier not less than 70 percent) in order to continue in the competition. For competitions adjudicated by a panel of more than one adjudicator, all adjudicators on the panel must agree to asking the dancer to wear tights. Effective March 1st 2022.
Appropriate undergarments covering the midriff must be worn. Undergarments must provide full coverage as per the illustration attached. (See Addendum A- CLRG Costume Rules). Dancers wearing undergarments that do not cover the areas of the body as in the illustrated example will be asked to put on black tights of a denier of not less than 70%. This is monitored by the adjudicator. For competitions adjudicated by a panel of more than one adjudicator, all adjudicators on the panel must agree to ask the dancer to put on tights.
Female Adult Dancers participating in Adult competitions entitled “Adult Competitions” both solos and teams are required to wear tights of a denier not less than 70.
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.
Make-up rule
Makeup will not be permitted for any dancer in the first two grades (beginner and primary) up to and including the 11 Years and Under age group worldwide. Make‐up (including false eyelashes and tanner on the face) is not permitted for dancers, in either solo or team competitions, up to and including the Under 10 age group. Effective 1 March 2014.
Clarifications as of 3 February 2014: Both make-up rules refer to the age group of the competition, not the actual age of the dancer. For example, 9 year old dancers competing in a team that is entered under 12 may wear make-up. Or at a feis where the youngest Open Championship age group is under 11, then all dancers in that competition may wear make-up.
Dress permits
If selling second hand dresses at an AIDA Feis, the dancer / parent needs to purchase a permit to be able to display the dress at the Feis. The fee will be $25 for a permit. This fee is per dress and the permit can continue to be used to display the costume at every AIDA Feis until this dress is sold.
GRADING RULES
Click below to see grading rules for competitions held in Queensland.