ALL ENTRIES SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING RULES  

 

2026 ADJUDICATORS  

Donna Lierse

Nicci Hope  

   

1. MFOD promotes a fair and friendly competition and a high standard of behaviour from students, performers, teachers, parents and spectators. The Committee does not tolerate inappropriate or unsportsmanlike behaviour, this includes but is not limited to, rude or abusive behaviour, intimidating and threatening behaviour, bullying behaviour and excessive celebration and cheering, with the exception of all Hip Hop sections, where excessive celebration and cheering is encouraged. This is the only genre or section this applies to.  

 

2. In accordance with 2006 Copyright Amendment Act and APRA Guidelines, performers must comply with copyright legislation. The Committee is not responsible for copyright infringements by participants, schools, parents or guardians.  

 

3. Performers passes / pins will be issued to all schools via Committee Members or be available for collection from the ticket desk. They must be worn by performers off stage at all times and produced for free entry to the building.

 

4. Students who have received private tuition from the Adjudicator within the last 12 months are ineligible to compete in this eisteddfod. If a conflict of interest is identified and a disclaimer made, the participant can dance for a critique.  

 

5. The Adjudicators decision regarding placements will be final.  

 

6. All performers will dance completely at their own risk.  

 

7. Entry numbers are capped to ensure festival concludes on Sunday 5th July 2026. Priority entry will be given to affiliated schools and anyone who qualifies to enter the All Abilities sections. 2026 entries will be open to affiliated schools troupe entries and All Abilities performers from 9th March – 13th March 2026 and then open to all other entry types (affiliated schools only) from Saturday 14th March to Monday 16th March 2026 (unless the cap is reached prior). If there is capacity remaining, entries will open to non-affiliated entries (including troupes) Tuesday 17th March and close Friday 20^th March 2026 (unless the cap is reached prior). The Committee will not accept late entries after the closing date.  

 

8. Entries are limited to 7 solos sections per participant not including Championship Sections,  

Spiritual and Own Choreography Sections and 5 duo/trio Sections per performer. Please note Spiritual and Own Choreography Sections do not count towards Championship qualification.  

 

9. All Abilities sections (011 and 012) are open to groups (for purpose of All Abilities, a group is 2 or more performers) who are enrolled or registered in either a Supported Community or Supported Education Program or registered with National Disability Insurance Agency. Participants of these sections are not eligible to dance in any other section of the eisteddfod in that year. Anyone who has entered any other section (excluding 011, 012, 013 and 014) in any year are not eligible to enter these sections. Entry to 011, 012, 013 and 014 will be free (sponsored and funded by Morwell Festival of Dance and Valley Trophy Centre). Teachers and Supervisors/Carers will also gain free entry. Spectators will pay regular door entry fees. Time Limits - Groups – 5 minutes per entry. Proof of registration or enrolment is not required at the time of entry but may be requested. Entries will not be placed. Each performance will receive a critique.  

 

10. All Abilities sections (013 -  Under 18 and 014  - 18 and over) are open to Individuals who are enrolled or registered in either a Supported Community or Supported Education Program or registered with National Disability Insurance Agency. Participants of these sections are not eligible to dance in any other section of the eisteddfod in that year. Anyone who has entered any other section (excluding 011, 012, 013 and 014) in any year are not eligible to enter these sections. Entry to 011, 012, 013 and 014 will be free (sponsored and funded by the Morwell Festival of Dance). Teachers and Supervisors/Carers will also gain free entry. Spectators will pay regular door entry fees. Time Limits - Solos/Individuals 3 minutes per entry. Proof of  registration or enrolment is not required at the time of entry but may be requested. Entries will

not be placed. Each participant will receive a critique.  

 

11. The Committee reserves the right to request proof of age and eligibility into sections 011, 012, 013 & 014.  

 

12. Performers may enter Open or Novice in their own age group – not both.  

 

13. Any performer who has not won first or second place in that section in any competition during the past three years may enter novice at these competitions. (14/03/2023 – 14/03/2026)  

 

14. One Teacher or a Parent of performers in current section will be allowed side stage during their item – this rule will be strictly enforced. All adults accessing the backstage area are required to display their ‘Backstage Pass’. Backstage passes are available from the secretary desk and require a valid working with children or equivalent.

 

15. Any performer who leaves the stage may re appear for a critique only. If the performer leaves the stage due to technical or music difficulty, they may return to the stage to dance for a place, if the error was through no fault of their own. This will be at the discretion of the Committee.  

 

16. Executive committee or the Backstage manager can at their discretion stop a performance with no penalty to the performer due to risk of inappropriate exposure.

 

17. Age of performers to be determined as at 1st January.  

 

18. Performers may only appear once in any section, including duos / trios & troupes excluding section 011, 012, 013 and 014.  

 

19. Performers are not entitled to any refund of fees for non-appearance.  

 

20. Where only one performer presents, they will be adjudicated to such standard which the Adjudicator deems appropriate.  

 

21. Performers who are not present for adjudication and have won a prize must make their own arrangements to obtain their award themselves. The Committee is not responsible for postage and delivery.  

 

22. The Committee reserves the right to disqualify any person who communicates with the Adjudicator including Parents, Teachers & friends, Committee excluded.  

 

23. Performers in the preparation space must adhere to the following:
    • Wear a body suit/bra & brief OR
    • Use changing cape/change room cubicle (Nipple covers/boob tape/g strings are not sufficient coverage)  

 

24. Protests must be made in writing on a protest form, signed by the protestor and lodged at the Secretary’s desk not more than 10 minutes after the adjudication. Protests must be accompanied by a $20 deposit which will be forfeited should the Committee deem the protest to be frivolous. Protest forms are available from the Secretary’s desk.  

 

25. Adults accessing the preparation space must display their MFOD issued Preparation space pass at all times.

 

26. Troupes must contain a minimum of 5 members, excluding sections 011 & 012.  

 

27. Performers aged 12 and over as of the 1st January in the eisteddfod year are permitted to wear pointe shoes at the discretion of their teacher.  

 

28. Cameras or recording equipment is NOT permitted in the hall during performances except by preapproval. Filming of the stage and televisions is prohibited. Anyone recording any performance may risk the child/entry being disqualified.  

 

29. Time limits will be strictly adhered to – time commencing and finishing with the movement or music. All solo/duo/trio genres excluding song and dance and own choreography are 3 minutes. Song and dance time limit is 4 minutes, and Own Choreography time limit is 1.5 minutes (90 seconds). All championship genres excluding tap are 3 minutes. Tap Championship dance time limit is 4 minutes. The length of music is to be within the limit & backstage personnel will not be responsible for fading of music.  

 

30. Performers performing in the Own Choreography section must wear all black eg. Short, pants, crops, leotard, half tutu (classical only). No head pieces or decorative costumes permitted.

 

31. Adjudicator places will attract points for the purpose of calculating age group aggregate winners. 1^st place – 5 points, 2^nd place - 3 points, 3^rd place – 2 points, HM place – 1 point.  

 

32. All solo entries will have full lights at all times. “Mood” lighting will be available if requested for Duo/Trio sections and Troupes. Please note, these lighting effects, affect the quality of videos and photos and no responsibility will be taken if you or your performers representative backstage chooses to use these effects. Blackouts are not available for Classical, Tap and National but all other sections may have a blackout at the start and end of the item.  

 

33. Music for all entries with the exception of All Abilities will only be accepted via Music Uploads. Performers who fail to have their music uploaded by the advised cut off date (advised to schools and via social media) will be required to supply their music via a device and perform for a critique only.

   

34. Performers are not required to check in prior to section commencing, however must check in or present side stage prior to their performance. Performers will need to be backstage ready to perform at the time their number/section is due. Performers who fail to be side stage at the time their number is called will perform for critique only.  

 

35. Committee will not permit music with vocal background whilst performers are singing in the song & dance sections – this will cause disqualification.  

 

36. Committee will not permit music with tapping background whilst performers are competing in tap sections – this will cause disqualification.

 

37. Committee will not be responsible for lost articles.  

 

38. Committee reserves the right to appoint another Adjudicator if necessary.  

 

39. This competition is open to amateurs only. A professional is deemed to be any person who has danced or performed professionally in their career (see conditions below). Once the Committee has determined someone is a professional based on our methodology below, they will not be an amateur for the purpose of entering this competition.  

 

An amateur is a person who is not enrolled in a full-time dance course and is either:

• Under 15 years of age as at 1st January in the eisteddfod year and at the time of the eisteddfod is an enrolled and participating student in any dance school (excluding full time dance programs)    
• Is 15 to 19 years as at 1st January in the eisteddfod year and at the time of the eisteddfod is enrolled and participating student in an affiliated dance school only.  
• Any student over 19 years as at the 1st January in the eisteddfod year enrolled at an affiliated school and deriving an income from the dance industry including performing and teaching/coaching outside of their enrolled school are deemed to be professional and will not be eligible to compete. Student teachers must be an enrolled and participating student in the dance school and not be currently enrolled in a full time dance course.  

 

40. Props that could or may possibly break and are dangerous will not be allowed. Where a prop shatters or breaks on stage and causes potential risk, as determined by the Committee, the performer will only be able to receive a critique for their performance. Props may be used in all sections.  

 

41. Sections can be combined at the Committee’s discretion should there be insufficient entries or timing restraints.  

 

42. The Committees decision will be final (except for Adjudicators placings).

 

43. Performers must appear in programmed order, except at the Committees discretion.

 

44. Payment for Championships will not be issued until the performers qualifying dances have been completed.  

 

45. Payment for Championship sections will be via bank transfer.  

 

46. Dance schools within a 100km radius of the Morwell GPO may become affiliated with this Festival, and only affiliated schools are eligible to enter all Championships and Scholarships. (see  

Committee for application details.)  Affiliated schools for 2026 are: Julie Ryan Dancers, Gippsland Academy of Dance, Destination Dance, Danceworks 114, Dance on Academy, Dance Stream Victoria, Leaps and Bounds and Dance Legacy.  

 

47. All teachers, Parents and Guardians need to adhere to the Committee’s Child Safety Policy. A copy is available on our webpage at www.morwellfestivalofdance.org

 

48. PRIVACY – Performers’ names, dance school, sections and placings will appear in our official programmes and section results will be published on social media and may appear in media releases.  

 

49. All personal information provided by entrant is kept on a secure database for administration purposes only. It is not released to other parties with the exception - All email addresses registered via stardom will be released to the Videographer and Photographer. If you do not wish this to occur, please email morwelldance@gmail.com before the close of the entries.  

 

50. It is the responsibility of the entrant or their Parent to ensure that any medication that they may be required is carried with them at all times. Entrants enter at own risk and a first aid officer is not available at our venue. In the event of an accident or illness, an ambulance may be called. Any associated costs incurred will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian/self.  

 

51. Entry and exit from the auditorium is only permitted when a performer is NOT on stage. Any variation to this is at the Committee discretion.  

 

52. No changes will be made to entries after the running sheet cut-off date. (to be confirmed, please check social media for updates) If you enter in the wrong section you will either, dance in that section for a place if you qualify or dance for a critique only if you do not qualify. If you are in the wrong section, you may not qualify for Championship Sections.  

 

53. Performers are not permitted to display their school name or logo on any costume in any performance, solo, duo/trio or troupe excluding section 011, 012, 013 and 014.  

 

54. All prize money paid to competing schools will be direct deposited to their nominated bank accounts. All schools need to complete a direct deposit form prior to the festival.  

 

55. By entering this competition, you agree to adhere to the Morwell Festival of Dance’s COVID safe plan and practices in place at the time of the competition and understand these are subject to change.  

 

56. Seasons Passes and session tickets will be available for all sessions, however entry to any of the zoned areas is subject to density requirements based on COVID Safe plan.  

 

57. Championship sections – are only open to local dancers, taught at affiliated schools and choreography must be by local teachers. In addition to this, the following rules apply:

 

CLASSICAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

10 & Under 14 Years Classical Championship Solo Open (Junior Classical Championship)  

14 & Under 16 Years Classical Championship Solo Open (Intermediate Classical Championship)  

16 & Over Classical Championship Solo Open (Senior Classical Championship - In Memory of Susan  

Kraft)    

   

To qualify performers, need to perform in 3 Open Solo Sections in own age group including:

• Classical
• National or Character PLUS  
• One other open section (excluding Spiritual and Own Choreography)  

   

Pointe is compulsory for 14 & over age group and optional for 10 & under 14 age group, please refer to rule 24 around age of performers and pointe shoes.  

   

Classical Championships include two solo performances not previously performed at the 2026 festival. Section 1 being Classical Solo and Section 2 being Character Solo. Time limit of 3 minutes applies to both dances.  

   

TAP CHAMPIONSHIPS

10 & Under 14 Years Tap Championship Solo Open (Junior Tap Championship)  

14 & Under 16 Years Tap Championship Solo Open (Intermediate Tap Championship)  

16 & Over Tap Championship Solo (Senior Tap Championship – In Memory of Wally Melbourne)  

   

To qualify performers, need to perform in 3 Open Solo Sections in own age group including: - Tap PLUS  

- Two other open sections (excluding Spiritual and Own Choreography)   

   

Tap Championships will include one solo performance not previously performed at the 2026 festival. Time limit of 4 minutes applies. Performance must show both Slow and Fast technique without leaving the stage.  

   

MODERN/JAZZ CHAMPIONSHIPS

10 & Under 14 Years Modern Championship Solo Open (Junior Modern Championship)

14 & Under 16 Years Modern Championship Solo Open (Intermediate Modern Championship)   16 & Over  Modern Championship Solo Open (Senior Modern Championship – In Memory of Carol Holman)  

   

To qualify performers, need to perform in 3 Open Solo Sections in own age group including:

• Modern/Jazz,  
• Neo Classical or Contemporary or Classical PLUS  
• One other open section (excluding Spiritual and Own Choreography)   

Modern/Jazz Championships will include one solo performance not previously being performed at the 2026 festival. Time limit of 3 minutes applies.  

   

CONTEMPORARY CHAMPIONSHIPS

14 Years & Over Contemporary Championship Solo Open (In Memory of Annie Kinnish)

   

To qualify performers, need to perform in 3 Open Solo Sections in own age group including:

• Contemporary PLUS  
• Two other open sections (excluding Spiritual and Own Choreography)  

 

Contemporary Championships will include one solo performance not previously being performed at the 2026 festival. Time limit of 3 minutes applies.  

   

NEO-CLASSICAL/LYRICAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

14 Years & Over Neo-Classical/Lyrical Championship Solo Open

 

To qualify performers, need to perform in 3 Open Solo Sections in own age group including:

• Neo-Classical/Lyrical PLUS
• Two other open sections (excluding Spiritual and Own Choreography)

 

Neo-Classical/Lyrical Championships will include one solo performance not previously being performed at the 2026 festival. Time limit of 3 minutes applies.  

 

GENERAL INFORMATION  

For our Eisteddfod, the follow genres are defined as (taken from Dance Adjudicators Genre List from AESA ):  Students are to ensure they enter the correct sections band adjudication will be based on the following definitions.  

   

CONTEMPORARY   

The Contemporary genre has evolved over the last 100 years and there are certain styles of contemporary that teachers can research such as Cunningham, Graham, Limon, and Rambert the Choreography will depend on the choreographer’s intent and purpose. It could include the use of motif and great use of the space. On the other hand, the choreographer’s intent maybe to use only minimal space to explore the music via movement and this is also a valid work. The use of technique should/could include use of centre, off centre, falling, running, articulation of spine and limbs, release of the whole spine when hanging over, use of safety foot getting in and out of the floor, range of levels including floor work. The choreography should not include typical steps from other genre such as ballet, jazz or acro etc.  

   

NEO-CLASSICAL / LYRICAL  

Closely linked to classical ballet, this genre is a section where emotion and expression is closely linked to the performance and particularly to the music. Music may be instrumental or with lyrics. Good flow and continuity through the music and great control of adagio type movements.