BBTSA Documentation
BRITISH BATON TWIRLING SPORTS ASSOCIATION
Our History in Brief
Our Association was originally founded as the British Majorette Association in 1971, under the Chairmanship of Mr. T. Hopley. The main aim of the Association was to promote the Majorette Movement, already well established in Europe, throughout the British Isles.
From the five member troupes at the inaugural meeting numbers have increased to some 200 troupes, with over 1000 individual members. These member troupes, along with the many troupes of Majorettes not associated, but who always add to the colour and excitement of the local carnival, prove that this athletic and graceful sport, new in 1971, has established its mark and achieved the aims of that original meeting.
As a result of its continued expansion, it was decided, in 1976, to regionalise the Association. Semi-autonomous Area and Regional Committees were set up and have proved a complete success. There are 19 Regional Committees throughout Britain, which are answerable to the Central Committee. These Committees are elected by the Troupes within each Region and are responsible for meeting the needs of their local members.
1978 saw the next step towards fulfilling the Associations aims. This was the staging of National Technical Training Seminars by both British and European teachers, and the establishment of an Examination and Grading system.
Our Association is the gateway to International competition for our English members and in Geneva. Two years later, in 1980, we sent our first English Team to Seattle, USA to compete in the World Championships.
Since then we have continued our commitment to furthering the Sport, by travelling to places as distant as Tokyo and Canada. Our excursions into Europe have always been successful, but none more so than our own David Cole (now a trainer and judge with the Association) who brought the European Junior Men’s Solo title back to |England. In 1992 and 1998 our Association had the honour of hosting the European Championships in England, events which have boosted public awareness and recognition of the Sport.
Over the years we have changed our title from the British Majorette Association to the British Majorette and Baton Twirling Association to our current title of
British Baton Twirling Sports Association
The changing face of our sport has necessitated these changes and our current title portrays a professional sporting image to the general public, media and other sporting bodies and is now known and respected throughout the World of Baton Twirling as the BBTSA.
In 1996 we celebrated our silver jubilee. During these 25 years we had seen many innovations and new disciplines introduced in our sport but recognised also the need to continue looking to the future and for forward thinking to enable our past successes to continue and so remain one of the World’s foremost authorities on Baton Twirling.
Our Athletes now demonstrate the combined skills, poise and agility of the gymnast, dancer and baton twirler show a degree of dedication comparable to that of any sports person and maintain the showmanship and sense of fun which has us as a sport. A Sport encompassing local troupe participation to the serious international competitor. A sport which will continue to grow from strength to strength into, and beyond the Millenium.
37 reasons why you should join our Association
B elonging to a great association
R elaying information on baton twirling
I nsutruction to the highest quality
T raining camp every year
I nter regional competitions
S pecialist training
H elpful advice at all times
B eginners encouraged
A thletes charter
T roupe competitions
O pen to all ages
N ational association
T raining seminars
W illing to help members and non members
I ndependant membership
R egistration available to all
L iterature available
I ndividual competitions
N o problem too large to deal with
G rading to all standard
S ports council approved
P romotes the sport of baton twirling
O rganised events
R egional Committee’s
T raining for judges
S pecimen score sheets available
A rea Championships
S port with a difference
S ocial events
O versea’s guest trainers
C ompetitive spirit
I nternational competitions
A nnual national championships
T eacher training courses
I nformation and correspondence always answered
O nly the best training given
N ational Executive Council
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