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BLDS Competitive Standard Membership£70.00
BLDS Competitive Associate Membership£70.00
BLDS Non-Competitive Standard Membership£40.00
BLDS Non-Competitive Associate Membership£40.00

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Why Join Us?

- Make new friends with a similar interest!

- Improve your dancing ability and fitness!

- Learn a new style of dance!

- Take part in competitions around the UK!

- Step out of your comfort zone!

- SUBU 5* society!

- Have fun!

What Do We Do?

The Ballroom and Latin Dance Society is an inclusive, inviting and fun society, where students can continue or find a new passion!

We teach and practice a variety of ballroom and latin styles including; Waltz, Quickstep, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Jive, Samba, Rumba, Paso. As a society we welcome a variety of abilities from Beginners to Advance, and hold weekly routine classes, which are split for all abilities with our amazing and experienced coaches.

Our members each year have the opportunity to compete in the Inter Varsity competitions, which are held around the country. Last year the society attended European tournament for dancing students (ETDS), Warwick (Varsity), Bath (Friendly), SUDA (Varsity), Blackpool (Nationals), Bristol (Friendly) and our second time holding a Bournemouth competition (Friendly). We had a total of 163 recalls, 56 semi finals and 61 finals with 14 wins, 2 national finals and 2 European finals. At IVDA Scarlet Ainger and Alex Fash placed 1^st in IVDA Intermediate Ballroom (WTQ) and Rosie Peach and Josh Gray placed 6^th in Novice Latin (CJ). At ETDS, Hollie-Louise Adams placed 1^st in Marsters Latin (SCRJ) and Sophie Tyler placed 3^rd in Armature Ballroom (WTQ).

We gained 750/750 star grading points in the new SUBU Star Grading, being the first club or society to do so. Additionally, we gained 5* society status in the process. We also hosted our Bournemouth Friendly competition successfully for the second time with 5 other universities in attendance

Alongside practices we hold a variety of fun and amazing socials, including drinking, sober and no-spend socials. Additionally, we have taken part in society swaps, where our dancers can swap out our dance shoes and try other societies. At the end of the year to celebrate all of our wonderful and amazing acheivements and each member of the society we hold our own awards night, nominating each other for various funny awards and prizes. We are hoping to host both a christmas meal with awards and a summer end of year award night.

Memberships

Competitive Membership: This consists of £70 for the year, and includes the following:

2 classes per week (Tuesday- Latin & Thursday- Ballroom) taught for all abilities from Beginners to Advance & Technique classes held every Monday.
Access to multiple open practices per week.
Opportunities to compete at many Varsity and Friendly competitions across the country.
Free competition entry to Nationals in Blackpool (this is worth over £30).
Discounted travel prices to some of our competitions.
Invitation to all our socials and our annual trip abroad.
Access to our Christmas and end of year celebration awards.

Non-Competitive Membership: This consists of £40 for the year, and includes the following:

2 classes per week (Tuesday- Latin & Thursday- Ballroom) taught for all abilities from Beginners to Advance & Technique classes held every Monday.
Spectator tickets available for all competitions.
Invitation to all our socials and our annual trip abroad.
Access to our Christmas and end of year celebration awards.
Option to upgrade to competitve membership.

Key Events

Freshers Fair: 27th September 2025 - Come and visit to see whether this is a society for you.
Give it a Go: 1st of October 2025 & 3rd of October 2025 18:00 - 20:00, Bournemouth Gateway Building - Room 302.
Weekly Classes: Class timetable below, all abilities welcome!
Fun Weekly Socials: A variety of drinking, sober, and no-spend.
Amazing Competitions: If you are in a more competitive mood, you are welcome to spend a fun day dancing together at some or all of the many competitions we attend throughout the year including: European tournament for dancing students (ETDS), Warwick (Varsity), Bath (Friendly), SUDA (Varsity), Blackpool (Nationals), Bristol (Friendly) and our Bournemouth competition (Friendly).
Fundrasing Activites: (TBC).
Award Night: (TBC)
Anual Trip Abroad: Every year as a society we have a trip abroad to different places, it gives a chance for everyone to bond and make new friendships! Last year we had a fabulous trip to Zante, Greece and we are excited to see where we travel to this year. (Easter holidays TBC).
Society Swaps: To be held throughout the year.

Class Timetable

Mondays:

18:00 - 21:00: Technique class & Open practice - BG302

Tuesdays:

18:30 - 19:30: Beginner/Novices Class - BG302

19:30 - 20:30: Pre-intermediate/Intermediate Class - BG302

20:30 - 21:00: Open practice (All ablilites) - BG302

Thursdays:

18:30 - 19:30: Beginner/Novices Class - BG302

19:30 - 20:30: Pre-intermediate/Intermediate Class - BG302

20:30 - 21:00: Open practice (All ablilites) - BG302

Sundays:

11:00-17:00: Open Practice (All ablilites) - Student Hall

This timetable is subject to change!!

Meet the Committee

President: Alex Fashola (he/him).

Treasurer: Dylan Cooper (he/him).

Secretary: Scarlet Ainger (she/her).

Team Captain: Josh Gray (he/him).

Social Secretary: Rosie Peach (she/her).

Social Media Officer: Abby George (she/her).

Meet the Coaches

Head Coach: Ollie Taelman (he/him).

Ballroom Coach: Ollie Taelman (he/him).

Latin Coaches: Alex Fashola (he/him) & Scarlet Ainger (she/her).

What Our Members Say:

“It’s just such a relaxed atmosphere with fun people which makes it the perfect place to learn how to dance.”

''Joining BLDS has been a highlight of my uni experince, I've made great friends and shared so many experiences with them''

"The society has built my confidence and dance skills so much. I have not only become a much better dancer but I have also met some of my best friends!’"

"Joining BLDS was the best decision! When I joined I felt at home as everyone was so lovely and I’ve made some of my best friends as well as enjoying all the different things I get to be apart of"

"The friends made along the way are irreplaceable!"

“ This society has allowed me to continue my dance training whilst at uni in a supportive and friendly environment with incredible coaching! There has been so many fun socials and I have made so many wonderful memories

"Everyone is so so supportive and friendly, it is like a family"

"I love the family feeling and inclusivity within the society! Studying can quite often feel like a lot is on my plate, and going to dance classes and competitions feels like an escape from that! I've met some of my best friends through this society and am so excited for the next year"

Join our society and be a part of something special!!