Fred Astaire and WDCAL/ WDC Relationship Comes to an End

It is with profound regret and yet sincere and extreme gratitude that the World Dance Council Amateur League announce Fred Astaire Dance Studios (F.A.D.S.) have indicated they will not be able to continue their strategic partner relationship and sponsorship of the World Dance Council Amateur League. This also applies to the upcoming multiple World Championships in Dublin, Ireland in December 5,6,7,8th this year.

This bombshell news was only received as recently as September 6, 2019 and even although therefore very much late in the day, the World Dance Council Amateur League would simply wish to extend their most sincere and profound gratitude to the Fred Astaire organization for their 11 years of support, generosity and investment which has helped nurture and grow a new generation of thousands of children and adults exercising their right to dance freely all over the globe.

Pioneered originally and powered by the enlightened vision of Mr. Jack Rothweiler, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the World Dance Council (WDC), the name of Fred Astaire became synonymous and established the brand in over 70 countries world-wide! We are also grateful and wish to set on record that the new owners who took over F.A.D.S. in 2018, saw fit to and indeed were delighted, to continue the strategic relationship and investment until now.

On behalf of all the children, their parents and organizers in every country, we wish to record our appreciation to you Jack!

Notwithstanding, this news was received so close to the World Super Series Events in the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland (November and December) the WDCAL leadership vow to spare no effort in attempting to secure new sponsorship and partnership going forward and also pledge that should it prove difficult to achieve in such a short time frame, they will personally step up to the plate and deliver in order that the normal excellent standards and conditions, for which we have become successful, will be entirely unaffected. We assure all of the thousands of dancers and dance aficionados world-wide that we will invest the differential if need be, and the future of our standards and all events and pipeline plans and dreams, will be unaffected.

The position of Mr. Rothweiler on the Board of Directors on the World Dance Council is also entirely unaffected and will continue unabated.

Once again a sincere thank you to Fred Astaire’s for 11 years of bliss! We are here because you were there.