How old do you have to be, to be classed as a juniour in ballroom/latin american dance competitions ?

Question

I am a ballroom/ latin american dancer and i am 12. Last year i was a juvenille but this year i am a juniour but my other friend who is also 12 is still a juvenille. Im really confused =S

Answer 1

Hmm...that's odd. It could be done by your birthday. Do you have an earlier birthday? Will you be 13 when the competition season starts? You could always ask your teacher, I'm sure they'd know.

Answer 2

Age classification is based upon the individual's birthday that occurs within a calendar year.
Pre-teen II (juvenile) 10th or 11th
Junior I: 12th or 13th
From what you say, it sounds that she is mistaken. If she already turned 12, I don't see how is it possible for her to dance Pre-Teen. It seems actually the other way around: if you're not 12 yet, but you will be turning 12 in 2007, then you're a junior. But don't worry too much about it: when she registers for a competition, the registrar usually pays attention to age categories. If anything, I find it more useful to compete in a more difficult category against stronger competitors.
The rulebook is here: http://usabda.org/dancesport_competitors/rules-policies-bylaws/index.cfm the age requirements are on page 26.