Manchester to host UK’s only international wheelchair dance competition

MANCHESTER, UK--

Wheelchair dancers from across the Europe are set to gather in Manchester next summer for the 2013 Manchester Grand Prix International Wheelchair Dance Championship.
 
The event, which has been organised by Manchester-based Strictly Wheelchair Dancing in association with Ray Bulpitt Dancentre, is being held on Sunday, June 30 at The Forum, Wythenshawe. The Grand Prix was first held in 2011 and remains the only international wheelchair dancesport competition currently held in Britain.
 
World class dancers from eight European countries have competed during the last two Grand Prix, along with many more debutante and amateur level dancers, and group formation teams.
 
Organisers expect to receive entries from an even larger number of countries ahead of the 2013 event, following a surge in international interest. Competitors will travel from clubs based right across the UK and Europe for the Manchester Grand Prix and all are welcome whatever their affiliation. 
 
Competition officials and judges will be announced early next year. Former judges have included: Corrie Van Hughten, head of Wheelchair Dancesport Competition for the IPC;
Pippa Roberts, president of the Malta Wheelchair Dancesport Association; and Michael Webel, former organiser of the IPC World Championships.
 
Wheelchair Dancesport involves athletes with a physical disability that affects the lower limbs. Wheelchair dancers may participate in “combi”-style dancing with an able-bodied (standing) partner or duo-dance with two wheelchair users competing together. In 1998, Wheelchair Dance Sport became an IPC Championship Sport, but is not part of the Paralympic programme today. It is governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and co-ordinated by the IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport Technical Committee, which incorporates the rules of the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF). In 2012, Wheelchair Dance Sport is widely practiced by athletes in 22 countries at top level and many more at grass roots levels.
 
The 2013 Manchester Grand Prix International Wheelchair Dance Championship is currently seeking partners and sponsors for the event. Anyone interested in becoming is asked to contact the competition organisers.
 
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For more information contact:
Paula Moulton 07757 544429
Ray Buplitt 07828 201044
Email: strictlywheels@gmail.com
Website: www.strictlywheelchairdancing.co.uk/manchestergrandprix

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