What is Drill Dance...and why do we love it??...
- Drill Team – now known as Drill
Dance (and often Dance Drill!!)– began in the USA in 1932 and was originally called
"Pep Squads". These teams were influenced by military close order drill, and
teams performed on football fields during half time. By the 1950’s, Drill Team had
become so popular that it was included in the school curriculum and competitions were held
throughout the continent.
The largest competition became the Miss Drill Team USA Pageant which was held annually in Los Angeles. It was at this competition in 1980 that a team of South Australian and Victorian girls gave a guest performance during a promotional tour of the USA.
Such was the impact of this performance that the organisers of the Miss Drill Team USA Pageant decided to hold international competitions, with Australia being the first country invited to compete in the new Miss Drill Team International. Each year the competition has grown with new countries joining the list of competitors, and in 1985 the event was held outside the USA for the first time, in Japan. The sport was relatively new in Japan, and the local organisers sponsored teachers from the USA to teach all aspects of Drill Team to the Japanese. It is now taught in high schools throughout Japan and every year the standard improves.
- We now invite enquiries from Dance
Schools, Calisthenics Clubs, High Schools (we love the Rock'n'Roll Eisteddfod!!), Sports
Club Cheerleaders...in fact, anyone with an interest in Dance!!
Our aim is to set up a National Association - Australia wide - with regular Competitions, Camps and Classes, all with the aim of further developing Drill Dance Team worldwide. Our Teams from Adelaide have enjoyed 20 years of overseas travel as well as many wonderful highlights, both at home and overseas.
Tell us about yourselves, so we can share the fun......WE WANT YOU!!!
This
site is dedicated to
Mr Ken Richards
1920 - 2001
Ken Richards and his wife Jean, formed the
Australian Drill Dance Team in 1980. As Australian Unit Director of Miss Drill
Team International, Ken believed passionately in the concept of Drill Team as a
means of allowing young people to grow to their full potential.
Through his unfailing efforts and enthusiasm over the past 20 years, hundreds of
young Australians have been given the opportunity to perform at an elite level
and travel overseas as ambassadors of their country, carrying this invaluable
experience into their later lives.
Ken was an inspiration to all who had the good fortune to cross his path. We
will strive to ensure that his commitment, energy, loyalty and sense of fun will
be reflected in all our endeavours, in Drill Team and in life.