On this page – First Team – Second Team

Training through the year – First Team

The CUDT First Team usually consists of 16-18 couples who are selected to represent the University of Cambridge in team matches at inter-varsity competitions. Dancers earn their spot on First Team not by experience and achievement alone, but by hard work and commitment too. Consistent dedication to the team is key to remaining on First Team throughout the year. Couples in First Team typically compete in Advanced, Intermediate, and Same Sex at inter-varsity competitions.

First Team training expectations:

• Sundays 17:30 – 19:55 at the USC – upstairs studios
• Open practice(s) during the week
• One private lesson per couple most weeks with our coaches
• Paul and David’s advanced classes (Monday/Tuesday) are generally suitable for First Team

Check out the timetable on the CDC website for open practice and class timings.

Competing on First Team

Competing is a large part of what we do at CUDT, and First Team couples usually compete in the Advanced/Intermediate/Pre-Intermediate/Same Sex categories at university circuit competitions. Couples do not have to compete at the same level for Ballroom and Latin, and may have a preferred discipline, although all couples must dance both Ballroom & Latin in the Varsity match against Oxford:

• Advanced – 4 dances (WFVQ/CSPJ in 2023-24) – Open dress – No step restrictions
• Intermediate – 3 dances (WVQ/CPJ in 2023-24) – Open dress – No step restrictions
• Same Sex – usually (except SUDC!) 2 dance – Open dress – No step restrictions
• Pre-Intermediate – 2 dance – Open dress – No step restrictions

The highlight of competitions is of course the team match, which will require couples from the First (and often Second!) Team to dance Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha or Jive as part of a 4-couple team. We like to enter as many teams as the competition allows, so many CUDT members will be able to participate in the Team Match, not just those on the First Team. Teams are chosen at each competition independently, based on who looks good on the day.

Training through the year – Second Team

Containing everyone from the bewildered fresher who had one social Cha Cha lesson, to the people looking to make next year’s varsity squad, the Second Team really does accommodate people of all ability and experience. Second Team couples that work hard and show commitment to team can be promoted to First Team during the year.

Second Team training expectations

• Saturdays 14:00 – 16:00 at Chesterton Sports Centre gym
• Paul and David’s improvers classes (Mondays/Tuesdays) are generally suitable for Second Team
• Open practices and private lessons are also available for Second Team, and using these resources are the best way to improve

The captains and coaches regularly attend Second Team training and observe all the couples closely in competitions. We are always looking to reward hard work and commitment to training, by moving couples up from the Second to the First Team.

Competing on Second Team

Second Team couples cover a much more varied range of abilities, which means they will be competing from Novice through to Intermediate in some years! If you have little prior competitive experience, it is sensible to discuss your competition level with the coaches and the Second Team Captains. Novice (Ballroom and Latin) and Same Sex (Latin) routines are taught during Second Team training, but more advanced couples sometimes prefer to use private lessons with the coaches to make personalised touches to the choreography, or to learn a completely different set of steps!

• Same Sex – usually (except SUDC!) 2 dance – Open dress – No step restrictions
• Pre-Intermediate – 2 dance – Open dress – No step restrictions
• Novice – 2 dance – Waltz / Quickstep – Cha Cha / Jive – Restricted dress – Restricted steps

During the competition day, the coaches and captains will watch all couples in order to determine the best configuration of couples to put forward on the Team Match. High ability couples from Second Team are usually recruited to compete in the team match, dancing either Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha or Jive. Teams are chosen at each competition independently, based on who looks good on the day.

There is of course open practice – which anyone from First or Second Team may attend. These are organised by CDC and the full list is available here. At open practice, the music plays and people are free to practice technique from their classes or lessons, or run through their full routines to time with music: arms, legs and faces a-go!

• Tuesdays 18:00 – 19:00 Ballroom practice at Parkside
• Tuesdays 20:00 – 22:00 Latin practice at Kelsey Kerridge (in the studio)
• Thursdays 18:00 – 20:00 Open practice at Trumpington Sport
• Sundays 19-21:00 at Kelsey Kerridge (in the studio)