On 31 October the Kees Kist Lounge at the AFAS Stadium turns into a dance arena. The Grand Prix van Alkmaar is an official ballroom and latin ranking competition, recognised by the Dutch DanceSport federation (NADB). The organisers expect around 300 competitors and 200 spectators. Couples from the Netherlands, and possibly from abroad, are coming to Alkmaar to show their sport at a high level.
Free workshops
Free dance workshops at schools and in local neighbourhoods lead up to the first Grand Prix van Alkmaar. Findhammer and Sawall are heading into the city to bring DanceSport literally closer to the people of Alkmaar. Under the banner ‘Dance connects Alkmaar’, FiSa DanceSport is working on a community programme that brings together sport, talent development and meeting one another. With the workshops they want to show that ballroom dancing is not only about technique and results, but also about moving, having fun and connecting with others.
Together with schools, community centres, local dance providers and volunteers, we set up activities that contribute to health, talent development and social connection. We especially want to actively involve people who would not naturally come into contact with DanceSport.
Joost Findhammer, chairman of FiSa DanceSport
Findhammer and Sawall have years of experience at national and international level. They regularly teach dance classes in Alkmaar, and that involvement sparked the idea of bringing an official dance competition to the city.
An annual event
The Grand Prix van Alkmaar is an initiative of the association FiSa DanceSport, founded by Findhammer, Sawall and Corine Hansen. The event is made possible in part by the Victoriefonds, Rabobank, the municipality of Alkmaar and the province of North Holland. The ambition is for the Grand Prix to grow into an annual event.
