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The Pole Fitness Championships
2008
Introduction
The Pole Fitness Championships to be held in 2008 will be the third competition jointly run by the Pole Play and Poletastic schools in the UK. The competition was previously known by the title Pole Divas however, due to suggestions by the male section of the community, we feel the new title of the competition is much more appropriate for all participants!

In 2008 there will be several changes to the set-up of the competition including:

11 Regional Heats
Regional Heats will be held throughout September and October. The Grand Final will be held in early November 2008.

Provisional Dates

        September
        South West (Bristol): Saturday 6th September
        North East (Newcastle): Saturday 13th September
        Republic of Ireland (Drogheda): tbc
        Northern Ireland (Newry): Thursday 18th September
        Wales (Pembrokeshire): Saturday 20th September
        North West (Manchester): tbc

        October
        Scotland (Edinburgh): Saturday 4th October
        West Midlands (Birmingham): Saturday 11th October
        East Midlands (Lincoln): Saturday 18th October
        South East (Brighton): Saturday 25th October

        November
        London: Saturday 1st November

Online (Video) Heat
A final Heat will be held as an online entry system whereby only those who previously entered a Regional Heat and failed to qualify will be permitted to enter videos of themselves specifically filmed for the purposes of the competition.

3 Entry Levels
Following feedback from 2006 and 2007 we have decided to run a whopping 3 entry levels for next year! The new entry level will be Advanced Student and enables those students/advanced polers to enter the competition without the need to compete against their instructor.

Entries will not be accepted until July 2008.

To give you an idea of your entry level the following applies:

     Amateur
        The same criteria apply to Amateur Level as in the 2007
        competition including the "no inverts" rule.

     Advanced
        Those entering Advanced Level will use the same criteria as in
        2007 for the Professional Level but must NOT
        be professionals in pole dance,
        e.g. instructors, trainee instructors, club dancers... etc.

Professional
        Those in the Professional Level will follow the same
        criteria as in 2007 but MUST be professionals
        in pole dance.

Dress Code
There will be a few changes to the dress code, primarily footwear, which must be strictly adhered to.

Judges
There will be a core judging panel of 4 people in 2008 with 3 of them judging each heat to ensure consistency and impartiality.

Spectator Tickets
There will be no standing tickets on sale next year. Seated tickets will still be on sale with an improved seating plan and a separate VIP seated area will be roped off with limited tickets. A separate VIP room will also overlook the arena through large plate glass windows.

Other than that much will stay the same! The venue for the Grand Final will remain Pure in Manchester. Entry and ticket prices will be similar to 2007 and entry criteria will also be similar.

Competitors
If you are interested in entering the Championships in 2008 the Entry Packs with the forms, rules and other details will be available from Sunday 1st June so please contact us anytime after that date at competition@pole-play.co.uk or on 07900483155 to recieve your very own pack! 


For reference:

Pole Divas Competition 2007

Last year’s Pole Divas competition was a culmination of every UK pole school’s hard work over the past few years. It was an exciting opportunity to promote the strength and flexibility gained through pole dancing and separating it as far as possible from the old perceptions.

This was demonstrated in our choice of venue for the Grand Final, the non-smoking competition area and restrictions in advertising at and relating to the event. We want this competition to continue and be sustainable with the possibility of growing to international status as more and more countries pick up the pole fitness bug.

The competition is strictly a non-stripping event and a minimum standard outfit is explained on the Pole Divas website.

Champions
        Professional Champion: Sally-anne Giles
        Amateur Champion: Gwyn Griffiths
        Professional Runner-up: Deb Riley
        Amateur Runner-up: Sharn Web

Entry Levels
There were two entry levels in the 2007 competition, Amateur and Professional, with entry criteria as follows;

Amateur Level
Candidates entering this level must NOT be a professional dancer; this includes podium & club dancers, instructors or pole performers of any kind. Candidate must not invert during their routine. The definition of an Invert we are using is a move that requires the dancers pelvis to be higher then their head

Professional Level
This level is open to all pole dancers, including students whether self-taught or through a pole school, professional pole dancers, podium & club dancers, instructors and any other kind pole performer

Awards
Certificates were presented to all competitors entering the heats and qualifying for the Semi-Finals in Manchester. All Semi-Finalists were presented with gifts from New ID who donated Fashion Photoshoot Experiences to each of them and Mighty Grip who donated their bottles of anti-slip powder especially designed for use in pole dancing to aid grip on the pole. The 2 finalists were presented with the same prizes as well as a ift voucher from ISP Lingerie and will also receive £50 in cash.

The Amateur Level Champion received £100 cash prize and also collected additional prizes donated by Mighty Grip and a Deluxe Photoshoot donated by New ID. In additional she also received a Chrome, 50mm X-Pole complete with DVD and carry bag donated thanks to X-Pole.

The Professional Level Champion received the top £1000 cash prize along with prizes donated by Mighty Grip and New ID as well as a Chrome, 45mm X-Pole complete with DVD and carry bag thanks to X-Pole.

An additional prize was donated for Most Entertaining competitor also donated by New ID.