Friction between dancers causing walkout

Paul Mercurio. Photo / Supplied

Beneath the sequins and smiles, all is not well in the world of ballroom dancing in New Zealand.

In a bitter power struggle that could have come straight from the script of Strictly Ballroom, those running the sport have become embroiled in a stoush that this week went all the way to a High Court hearing.

In the movie, the clash is between corrupt traditionalists and idealistic modernists, led by Paul Mercurio's charismatic character. In this dispute, it is far less clear who the "goodies" and the "baddies" are. But the battle is driving out top dancers.

Dancing with the Stars champion Samantha Hitchcock, who partnered Breakfast weatherman Tamati Coffey, has turned her back on the sport she believes has become "too political".

"I always used to say it was nothing like Strictly Ballroom, but now when I look at it, it is," she says. "I don't want to be a part of it. It's too disheartening. It's become such a mess."

Ballroom dancing's overarching body, the Dance and Dancesport Council, last year deregistered Hitchcock because she helped teach other registered dancers while competing as an amateur.

"The council seem to just make rules and punish dancers who break them," Hitchcock says. "Dancers don't even know what they are allowed to do anymore. They are always scared of being disqualified."

Hitchcock said some council members were "stuck in their ways from 50 years ago".

The New Zealand Dance and Dancesport Council is made up of a number of associations and acronyms, including the New Zealand Federal Association of Teachers of Dancing (NZFATD), the New Zealand Federation of Dance Teachers (NZFDT) and the New Zealand Dancesport Association (NZDA).

It is alleged two council members met in secret, deregistering competitions run by rival members after the annual general meeting was cancelled after a disagreement with the other two council members.

Dancing with the Stars co-host Candy Lane, a former champion dancer, says change is needed.

"Unfortunately, this has got to the petty stage," she says. "Whoever comes out on top needs to be there for the right reasons."

Christchurch dance teacher Colleen Murray, who was also suspended last year, says the council would probably split into two.

"It wouldn't be good, it will split the country down the middle ... but the sport's been led too long by die-hards who have their heads in the mud. They aren't in it for the dancers, they are in it for self-gratification."

A press release from William Joyce, the council's president, in March, alleged "basic fundamental rights have been denied to council delegates".

"Half of council's member associations are now left with no option but to insist on the restoration of their basic rights," said Joyce, who listed the rights allegedly breached, including the rights of member associations to appoint delegates without interference.

The Australian Federal Association of Teachers of Dancing (AFATD) has described the dispute as a "distasteful and disruptive domestic situation".

One of the representatives on the council, Laurel Taylor, says: "We weren't happy with the meetings and the way they were chaired.

"We just wanted our basic, fundamental rights upheld ... And we wanted the attacks on individuals to stop."

On Wednesday, a High Court judge reinstated four competitions and ordered the four associations on the council to take part in mediation.

The case will be reviewed in the High Court on May 24.

One thing seems sure: Paul Mercurio won't swoop in, tassled and spangled, to save the day this time.

With the demise of Dancing with the Stars after last year's season, the dancer-turned-judge returned home to Australia with no plans to take any further part in New Zealand's fractious dance scene.