Our History

1892 - 1916
James Finnigan
Mr. James Finnigan | B.A.T.D. Member Originator of the “Military Two Step”.

  • November 30th, 1892, is the first recorded date of the organization of The British Association of Teachers of Dancing. With 24 founding members the B.A.T.D. was founded. The First President of the Association was Mr. F. Wyatt
  • 1894 Our First Member Mr. George Lowe from North of the Border (Scotland) joined the Association
  • 1895 Our First Overseas Member Mr. Lewis Collins from Australia joined the Association
  • 1896 The Association was registered as a Friendly Society, the only Dancing Association to do so.
  • 1898 The first Ladies were elected to the Executive Council 
    Mr. James Finnigan joined the B.A.T.D. in 1898, he was the originator of the Military Two Step 
  • 1905 the formation of districts was born Glasgow, Leeds & Manchester.
    Also the Introduction of the First Examination Syllabus
1917 - 1945
Annual Conference 1925
B.A.T.D. Annual Conference, 1925.

  • 1926 The Associations Ballroom Branch began
  • 1926 First Set of examinations were conducted
  • 1932 Medal Tests were introduced
  • 1936 The Stage Branch was formed
  • 1937 The B.A.T.D. issued a “Health and Keep Fit” certificate
  • World War II
  • The B.A.T.D. along with other Dance Organisations formed the “Dancers Victory Fund” to purchase Mosquito & Procter Training Aircraft for the Royal Air Force.
1948 - 1985
USA and Canada Flags
Canadian & American Districts were founded.

  • 1948 - Latin American Section was added to syllabus.
  • 1954 - First examinations in Canada.
  • 1957 - Canada and American Districts were founded.
  • 1958 - Head Office opened at 23 Marywood Square.
  • 1982 - Rock-n-Roll is added to our Medal Tests.
  • 1983 - Longstanding General Secretary, Peter Cuthbert, retires.
  • 1985 - First ever B.A.T.D. Congress in Toronto.
1985 - 2004
Katrina Allan
1989 - Mrs. Katrina Allan becomes General Secretary.

  • 1992 - Malta Members formed a District.
  • 1997 - Miss. Jessie Stewart-Haggarty was awarded the M.B.E. from her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth.
  • 1999 - the 4th B.A.T.D. Congress takes place in Las Vegas Nevada.
  • 2002 - B.A.T.D. North American Scholarship & Highland Weekend is launched.
  • 2004 - New Zealand joins the B.A.T.D. and New Cheerleading & Club Latino syllabus were released
2008 - 2013
Official Opening at New Head Office - 2009
2009 - Offical opening of our new Head Office, Mr. Bobby Barr & Mr Freddie Boultwood.

  • 2008 - Head office transfers it's headquarters to newly built premises - The Watermark.
  • 2009 - Ribbon cutting at Head Office by Mr Bobby Barr & Mr Freddie Boultwood.
  • 2012 - Tribute dance to honour Jessie Stweart-Haggarty M.B.E. was incorporated into the Highland syllabus.
  • 2013 - The B.A.T.D. achieved world champions in all three world titles at Cowal. Kayle Finnegan, Megan Sweeney, Morgan Bamford.
  • 2013 - Tribute dance to honour Sadie Simpson, was incorporated into the Highland syllabus.

World Champions 2014
2013 - Three B.A.T.D. World Champions - Megan Sweeney, Morgan Bamford, Kayle Finnegan.
2014 - 2020
World Champions 2014
2014 - Three B.A.T.D. World Champions - Erin Blair, Emma Schiff & Marielle Lesperance.

  • 2014 - B.A.T.D. does it again with all three World Champions in all World Titles: Erin Blair, Emma Schiff, Marielle Lesperance.
  • 2016 - Celia Orr receives her M.B.E. from his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.
  • 2016 - Acrobatic Syllabus Updated and Expanded
  • 2017 - Street syllabus launched.
2020 - Onwards
SCQF Acreditation
2021 - B.A.T.D. qualifications are accredited by the S.Q.A.

  • 2021 - B.A.T.D. qualifications SCQF accredited by the S.Q.A.
  • 2023 - Expansion of the Street Syllabus Levels & Medal Tests.
  • 2023 - General Secretary Mrs. Katrina Allan Retires.
  • 2024 - Introduction of The New Musical Theatre Syllabus.
  • 2025 - Announcement of the Acrobatic Scholarships in North America.