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Date Posted: 25/04/25 16:56:31, Fri
Author: Inside
Subject: Another senior perspective
In reply to: Sally 's message, "(Inside)" on 24/04/25 14:11:24, Thu

I just wanted to say I completely understand where you’re coming from. I competed for over 20 years in Irish dance and, looking back, I carry a lot of regret—not for dancing itself, but for the time, money, and emotional energy my family and I poured into something that never truly offered a fair playing field.

Like your child, I had a deep love for dancing, worked hard, and had supportive parents who went above and beyond. But it became painfully clear over time that talent and work ethic often weren’t enough. I’ve been last more times than I can count, and sure, some of those placements were fair—but others weren’t. I’ve also had a few major recalls, so I know I wasn’t completely off the mark. But even those moments were bittersweet, because the overall system felt so rigged and inconsistent. I now consider all my results over the years null and void and wonder where I would have finished if things had been fair.

What worries me the most—just like you—is the message it sends to young dancers: that merit doesn’t always matter. And that can really shape a mindset they carry into other areas of life. That’s a tough thing to undo.

CLRG has had so many opportunities to fix these issues, and yet the same problems persist. Favouritism, lack of transparency, questionable safeguarding, and a culture that seems to prioritize status over well-being - it’s disheartening. The technical standards themselves are another red flag. Overcrossed turnout and "taco toes"—things that are classed as improper and unsafe technique in ballet, but are only accepted, but often endorsed and rewarded in Irish dance despite how dangerous they are. Many TCs don't have a background in safe technique or strength development, yet they influence how thousands of children train and perform. Have any ID TC's done proper pointe training and testing? Probably not.

I left the scene because I could no longer morally support something that lacks integrity. If I had children, I would not put them into Irish Dancing. I had the experience to go on and become a TC, but I just couldn’t bring myself to be part of this world any longer. Now, I advise parents to really think hard before committing to Irish dance, and I say that as someone who loved it and lived it for decades.

Ultimately, only you and your child can decide what's best—but you’re absolutely not wrong to be asking these questions or having doubts.

Best of luck with your decision.

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