The Christina Cryan Newcomer Team Match is a unique event at the annual Brown University Ballroom Dance Competition.  This event was created by one of the founding coaches of the Brown Ballroom Team, as a way to provide newcomers with an additional opportunity to compete.

 

This event consists of four dances: Waltz, Tango, Rumba, Swing.  American or International steps/styling are allowed in this event.  The individual dances are scored separately, and then overall team results are tallied to determine the first, second, and third place teams.  Because this is a team match, awards are presented on a team basis, there are no awards for individual dances.  Awards will be given to all the members of the three final teams.

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A team consists of eight newcomers – four leaders and four followers.  Higher-level dancers are not allowed in this event.  Each individual can participate in only one dance, thus each dancer on the team is guaranteed a chance to participate.  It is up to the team members, or their leaders/coaches, to decide which dance each newcomer should do in order to maximize the strengths of the team as a whole.  

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There must be eight individuals within a team; partial teams are not allowed.  Teams can be comprised of newcomers from a single school, or from different schools.  There is no limit on the number of teams that a single school can enter.  Schools are strongly encouraged to do everything possible to ensure that all of their newcomers get a chance to compete in this match, including forming mixed teams with newcomers from other schools.

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Organizers of the Brown Competition strongly encourage Team Captains to be proactive and organize their newcomer teams before the day of the competition.  There will also be a  Newcomer Team Match sign-up sheet at the ‘Add-Drop’ Table on the day of the competition.  Please note that Team Captains are responsible for organizing their own newcomer teams, including (if necessary) mixed newcomer teams from multiple schools.

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Four identical numbers will be provided for each team.  For this team match, leaders must be wearing their team number, not the regular number that they wear during other events.

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The Newcomer Team Match is planned to take place around 12:15 PM.

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The organizers of the Brown University Ballroom Dance Competition wish all newcomer teams good luck!