| Subject: Why Impoxbridge are usually better... |
Author:
Gary
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Date Posted: 13:52:41 11/11/03 Tue
In reply to:
george
's message, "Re: Scary couples and SF" on 13:43:13 11/09/03 Sun
Simply put, Impoxbridge are a common destination for postgrad study, so the average A team member has danced for between three and seven years, either at Impoxbridge or elsewhere, or had some previous experience in some other form of dance that propels them rapidly to A team level. Most other unis have a few A team members who are postgrad.
Team members with greater experience also tend to take competition more seriously, having perhaps had some exposure to the open circuit or the attitude of very experienced team members. Hence the Impoxbridge attitude to training is more disciplined and formalised, with plenty of quality B and C team members prepared to step up if an A team member is dropped for lack of commitment. Other teams tend to have a more relaxed atmosphere and can't afford to rule with a rod of iron.
It cost me something like 14 pounds per year plus competition travel and entry to compete at Bristol, compared with something like 200 pounds per year plus competition travel and entry to compete at Cambridge. Again, you can only demand that kind of payment if you can afford to lose a few people who can't/won't pay.
Historically, Imperial were the first team to pick up on increased discipline, practice time, amateur-style costumes and competition presentation, when they first gained from open-circuit experience coming into the team. Oxbridge followed suit a few years later, but it wasn't for nothing that Imperial won virtually everything for almost ten years. Individuals with experience helped but people like Satin, Peter Purdie, Jo and Helen et al picked up the theme and the quality of dedication, practice and presentation spread throughout the team, generating an expectation of winning that transferred from year to year. In one year, fourteen out of the sixteen team members in A to D teams left at the end of the season - Imperial were still competing at the top of the A team match the next year.
Solution: create a pride in your team, a mentoring system where the team spirit and attitude of one year passes on seamlessly to the next year. Use the knowledge of your most experienced couples to improve the overall knowledge of the team. Create information packs, e.g. how to do makeup and hair properly before the event, so that the knowledge is retained.
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