For students at Maroubra Bay Public School, DanceSport began with a simple invitation: give dancing a go.

Some were excited. Others were far less certain.

“When DanceSport first came to our school, some of us couldn’t wait to start, and others weren’t so sure,” once student recalled.

“I didn’t really want to dance at first,” another admitted.

“It wasn’t something I thought I’d be good at and I definitely didn’t think I’d ever perform in front of a big audience.”

Well he did – in front of 1500 people at Sydney Olympic Park for the Dancesport 20^th anniversary gala. More than 1000 students from across the south and north of Sydney took to the floor in a vibrant showcase on a night to remember.

The annual gala is the culmination of a 10–15-week journey in which students learn dances including the Cha Cha, Tango, Salsa and Jive, developing skills while building confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.

For Mortlake Public School principal Leanne McEvoy, the anniversary event was a reminder of why educators do what they do.

“What an honour to be part of something so significant. Our job has days that simply bring joy and pride, and that is why we keep doing what we do,” she said.

For Terri-Anne Samios, a teacher at Hurstville Public School, DanceSport has been part of her life from both sides of the dance floor. She participated as a student in 2008 and now sees its impact as an educator.

“Watching the gala, I had the same feeling inside that I had back in 2008 when I was dancing in the program as a student - warmth and happiness!” she said.

“I’m so glad this program has evolved over time to be more student-focused and to highlight the importance of wellbeing.”

Dancesport has become part of a remarkable NSW public education success story — one that has brought together thousands of students, hundreds of schools and generations of teachers through dance, teamwork and shared achievement.

From six schools to a statewide success story

The inaugural DanceSport event was held in 2006 within the Metropolitan South Directorate and involved just six public schools.

Today, 33 schools participate with thousands of students and hundreds of schools having taken part in DanceSport programs and events over the years.

Its evolution has also been shaped by a growing commitment to inclusion.

In 2025, students from Schools for Specific Purposes officially participated in the program for the first time, ensuring students of all abilities have opportunities to experience the joy, confidence and connection that dance can provide.

The experience can be profound for everybody.

Maroubra Bay Public School won this years Sandra Nori Cup, awarded to a school that truly emobodies the ethos and spirit of DanceSport.

“For some students, dancing in front of their friends, holding hands with their partner and learning completely new things meant taking a long step out of their comfort zone,” one student said.

“DanceSport isn’t about getting every step right straight away. We practised, made mistakes, laughed, helped each other and kept trying.”

“We started seeing people become more confident. People who weren’t so sure about dancing at the beginning were joining in, encouraging others, and becoming proud of what they could do.”

“DanceSport has brought us together. We’ve worked with different people, learned to trust our partners and help each other when things are difficult.”