We, the undersigned parents, coaches, and studios, respectfully ask the NDCA to adopt a standard for children’s competition days:

No judges with direct ties to the local ballroom community on the panel when children are competing.

Ballroom is a small world. Judges, coaches, studios, organizers, and families often have overlapping professional and financial relationships. Children should be protected from even the possibility that those relationships influence what happens on the floor.

Every child should be free to train where they thrive, change studios, explore different coaches, and compete independently without fear that those choices could follow them into competition.

When judging opportunities, competition entries, and profitability become intertwined with children, the wrong incentives are created. Kids should never become leverage in adult business relationships.

We are asking the NDCA to create a clear safeguard that removes that possibility altogether.

Adults can navigate ballroom politics. Children shouldn’t have to.

Independent judges. A fair floor. Freedom for every child to train where they thrive.