Would you say dance is a sport?

[Siella]

I'm asking because my dc school are always rewarding children for their sporting achievements and award sports ties etc...alot for Horse riding, football, rugby etc. .and I'd quite like to let them know of my dd achievements in dance along with some other children at the school who have just taken exams at the same dance school...they'll probably say they don't want me to but would I be unreasonable if I did. It would be nice for dance to be recognised too.

I’m not I quite clad it as a sport by any achievements in it should definitely be recognised alongside sports.
As should music exams, drama exams and art competitions etc etc…
Definitely let school know if your kids are agreeable!

Absolutely. The training dancers go through definitely deserves recognition along with the other sports you've mentioned, especially if they've achieved well in exams.

• ahh! I’m not quite sure I’d class it as a sport but…

For the purpose of that I’d say dance should be recognised, but if your children wouldn’t want you to, I wouldn’t push it.

In general though I’d say dancing is an art, not a sport. It’s intensely physical and requires significant althetic ability but when I see ballet, my favourite dancers aren’t the ones who are technically the best, but the ones who just have something special about them. Some of the very best dancers in the world just leave me cold for whatever reason.

I wouldn't if they don't want it to be I'm just wondering if I emailed them about a sporting achievement whether they would classify it as a sport or not?

At our kids' secondary school, the dance teacher was one of the PE teachers, and our primary is currently doing dance as their PE focus. So I think from a school POV, dance is a sport.

Of course it is. Fantastic exercise too.

Achievements in dance shod certainly be recognised alongside sport. Pretty sure the levels of required fitness would be similar!!

I’d say yes - it’s just not a competitive sport. But I presume that they recognise belts in karate and that sort of thing? I can’t see why a dance exam or competition isn’t in the same vein?

Sport is defined by competition, so unless there is a competitive element, dance is an activity rather than a sport. That doesn’t mean that achievements should not be recognised, though.

I'd personally say not a sport, but that achieving awards for dance/music/drama should receive equal recognition alongside sport.

Of course dance can be competitive - there’s exams and dance competitions.
I think it counts.

I wouldn't call it a sport but I would expect it to be recognised in the same way as sporting achievements.

It’s highly competitive, thousands of competitions up and down the country every year.

My daughter is a dancer. She is fitter than any of the boys in her PE class, has more endurance and more core body strength. They have done several endurance and core strength activities during the year that has proven this time and again. It is a sport, and a very difficult, strenuous, and competitive one. Your daughters sporting achievements should be recognised.

Anyone who says dance is not competitive clearly never did dance as a child.😂It's cut throat.

We haven't been involved in dancing competitions yet! She has however just done her grade 6 ballet.

I don't think it matters whether it's a sport or not, I think achievement in dance/music/art/drama should be celebrated and recognised in exactly the same way. There competitions and exams, selective auditions, public performance etc etc.
For me it's far more impressive than being good at sport because it involves artistry and creativity as well as physical skill. But I am more than prepared to accept that I am being unreasonable to think this because have a massive chip in my shoulder 😂 I was hopeless at PE at school, a frustrated theatre kid and have had years of people saying 'horse riding isn't really a sport is it? The horse does it all...'

My DD is a dancer and Ive mooted letting school know her grade achievements but she's never wanted to, because she's really shy. However now she is in 6th form certain dance grades (iirc) can contribute to UCAS points so she will have to disclose them eventually.
She absolutely hates any competitive sports and doesn't enjoy any other sport. I'm not sure it keeps her that fit on its own but when we did the Joe Wicks work-outs she was great at jumping lunges, squats, planks and duck walks. 😃

@Fizbosshoes The UCAS points thing only works for certain courses. Many will want the points from '3 A levels or Extended Diploma' . They won't let you on to a highly academic course with lower grades just because you have grade 8 piano or dance iyswim?

No its not a sport as I can't see it at the Olympics. However it is extremely physical and I don't see why achievements aren't recognised at school level.

Are all these sports done in a school setting and yours isnt? That part isnt very clear.

That’s ridiculous. Cricket is not in the olympics, guess it’s not a sport either.
And how can you consider something like synchronised swimming (also known as water ballet) a sport, which is essentially a dance routine under water.

ETA
The International Olympic Committee actually recognise dance as a sport, it’s just one of the many sports not included in the games.

Dance was always recognised with the sporting stuff at our school, I think you're slightly overthinking it.

Oh yes I realise that the points are not in lieu of the grades required, although the school is very keen to focus on all the extras that are meant to be an asset to uni applications.