The ISF and World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at collaboratively promoting DanceSport and its many educational and health benefits to students worldwide.
As part of the agreement, DanceSport will be included in the ISF sports programme for its events, which include the World Schools Championships and the Gymnasiade.
The ISF and WDSF both recognise the role sport can play in promoting the values of respect, solidarity, tolerance, equality, friendship, education, and fair play. The two organisations will work together to use DanceSport as a tool for inclusion, development and gender equality, among others.
“Our partnership with the ISF is a glorious opportunity for the WDSF to reach out to the younger generation and to show them not only how much fun DanceSport can be but also the many great benefits dancing provides,” said WDSF 1st Vice-President Tony Tilenni. “DanceSport is ideal for young people as it teaches them discipline, inclusion, social interaction, mental agility and much, much more – not to mention all the great health benefits. The WDSF is very much looking forward to this cooperation with the ISF.”
ISF President Laurent Petrynka said: “This collaboration is a fantastic opportunity for the world of school sport to further develop opportunities for youth to engage in DanceSport and enjoy new experiences around the world through sport and education. With the support of the World DanceSport Federation, I look forward to continuing to grow ISF DanceSport events and develop the sport within the world of school sport, as we begin this strong and fruitful partnership.”
WDSF National Member Bodies are encouraged to work with their respective ISF Member Federations to share information and maximise support for participation in ISF events. The ISF will promote DanceSport disciplines as part of school sport globally.
About the WDSF
Consisting of 92 National Member Bodies, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) is the governing body for all dance disciplines worldwide. Its mission is to develop DanceSport to its fullest potential around the world in a modern, sustainable and structured manner. Officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 1997, the WDSF promotes DanceSport as an activity that improves physical and mental health, while also teaching the values of inclusion, gender equality, discipline and many others. The WDSF is best known for its elite-level competitions, which include continental and world championships in Standard, Latin, Breaking, Rock’n’Roll, Salsa, Boogie-Woogie, Disco, Stage, Smooth and Hip-Hop disciplines. In December 2020, Breaking was added to the sports programme for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. For more information, please visit the WDSF website, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
About the ISF
The International School Sport Federation (ISF) is an international non-profit sport organisation of 129 member associations/countries and is the umbrella organisation and governing body for national school sport organisations, which organises competitive and grassroots sport events for school students from 6 to 18 years old. Additionally, ISF is developing policies towards more accessible and educational school sport. This includes the implementation of youth leaders’ programmes, emphasising education through sport, developing educational programmes on Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, and supporting the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities. With more than 30 sports in its programmes, for which partnerships have been established with the relevant international sport federations and institutions, the ISF organises four different categories of events: Multi-sport events; World Schools Championships, School Sport Cups and Educational events. The ISF coordinates more than 12 international sport and educational events each year, involving over 10.000 student-athletes.
