DANCING UNDER HANDICAP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18551, 10 November 1934, Page 15

DANCING UNDER HANDICAP

GISBORNE INNOVATION UNIQUE SYSTEM TRIED LAST NIGHT’S SUCCESS A unique system of conducting national dancing competitions was tried out last night, at the Gisborne Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club’s weekly floodlight; sports' meeting on the Childers road reserve. The handicap system, in much the same 'manner as sealed handicaps in athletic events, was adopted, and if is believed that this was the first occasion such a method has been tried in New Zealand. It was decided to give the scheme a trial in order to afford the immature competitors an opportunity of' competing on even terms with those who are more expert, and, considering that this was the first time within the knowledge of the Dancing Association members that such a system lias been tried, the success obtained was very encouraging, finding widespread approval.

The method of handicapping and judging iVas explained to competitors and supporters by the chairman of tin 1 Poverty Bay Piping and Dancing Association ’s committee, Mr P. Sim, before announcing Ihe resulls. lie said that the association had many young dancers to encourage, and had decided that the introduction of’ the handicap system would make the competftions more interesting. This had been borne out by the large entries for each class. tie trusted that the trial given that; night would be tin' forerunner of many pleasant evenings for the competitors, and that all would enter into .the spirit of the thing, accepting the decisions in a true sporting manner.

Mr Bim added that, two liamlicappers were appointed, each awarding their handicap points without knowledge of what w.as being done-by the other. The average was taken for each competitor by adding each Iwuulicnpper’s awards together and, then dividing the totals by two. Two judges were also appointed, and each handed in their points separately without consulting the other, and the averages of their points are taken out in the same manner as with the handicaps, the judges’ average points and the liamlicappers’ averages for the respective competitors then being added together, the one with tin l most marks -at the conclusion of, the adjustments being declared tin 1 winner. A full set of marks was kept as a record, and competitors overe subject to rehnndicappii|g in future events, in the same manner as an athlete’s handicaps alter from time to time. Mr Sim added that the judges did not-'know wlmf tlii> handicaps were.

As this was the first occasion on which the system was tried and the officials had no precedent on which to work, the results were particularly gratifying. In the Highland Fling, under 13 years, there were 10 entries, and only seven points separated the first, .lin'd the, last. in the Scan Triihliais, under 13 years, there were six entries, and only 4j points separated the competitors, -and for the Hornpipe, over 13, only four points separated tier seven competitors, while 31 points was the total difference between the first ami the last of the seven competing in the Irish Jig, over 13, In the Sean Tritbhais, only a fraction separated the first three, the winner securing 771 points, including the handicap adjustment, the second 77 points, and the third 76f points,