Twenty dancers with intellectual disabilities have cha cha-ed, breakdanced and fox-trotted their way to representing Western Australia in a national competition next year.

Dance sport is the term given to competitive ballroom dancing where athletes perform routines and are judged on performance and presentation.   

Hosted by Para and Ability Dance WA in Victoria Park last month, the dance sport State Games attracted over 30 athletes state wide.

It was the first time in Australia that dancers with intellectual disabilities have been given a stage to compete in front of judges.

Twenty dancers were selected to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games, held in Melbourne.

Competition organiser, Darryl Davenport says WA is the first state that has put on a competition for the Special Olympics dance sport athletes in Australia. 

“Although other states have definitely had Special Olympics dance classes, they haven’t grown into a competition,” he said.

The games are open to people who are living with intellectual disabilities.

“Although they may compete in mainstream events, it’s difficult to compete on the same playing field as able-bodied competitor’s,” Mr Davenport, who is also the chairman of Para and Ability Dance, said.

Dancers were judged on performance and presentation across four different dance categories, including ballroom, street dance, theatrical and speciality, which is a cultural dance category.

“It’s similar to So You Think You Can Dance, there’s all different styles competing, what the judges are looking for is those four categories, which can be demonstrated in any dance style,” he said

Mr Davenport says the end goal is for Australia to represent dance sport in the Special Olympics World Games.

“We are creating a pathway which will eventually lead to world representation at the special Olympic World Games,” Mr Davenport said.

The 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games hosted in Turin, Italy included over 1500 athletes and assisting partners, competing from over 102 countries worldwide.

Athletes competed across eight sports including dance sport, with crowd numbers reaching a total of 100,000 spectators across the games.

“We have to have this running successfully in four states before we can be put forward for an international competition,” Mr Davenport said.

The Victoria Park competition also featured dancers with physical disabilities, although they weren’t judged, they were on stage for the floor shows.

“With the floor shows, it’s purely for the general public’s benefit, and the judges are not assessing the performance,” Mr Davenport said.

Asha Hilton, 14, performed a variety of floor shows throughout the competition and said she enjoys supporting the performers and being a part of the para dance community.

“We are always behind each other and always happy to help out and we cheer on,” she said.

Ms Hilton performed in a variety of dances and costumes on the day, from solo routines and couple dancing to group coordinated routines.

“I have a gypsy tap which is an insane routine, snapping of the head then bang!” she said

“Then I get changed and freestyle to Texas Hold Em’ by Beyonce … of course I’m wearing a cowgirl hat!” 

Performer Verity Barrow competed in a couples and a solo dance, bringing her years of practice to WA’s competition.

“I’ve been dancing for three years, I dance with my friend Micheal in the cha cha,” she said.

The Mayor of Victoria Park, Karen Vernon attended the event to show support from the local government.

“Supporting events like this is part of our commitment to being an inclusive place for everyone,” she said.

 Mayor Vernon also presented the awards to winning performers to conclude the event.

“Dance is a great opportunity to show people that people who have disabilities can participate in mainstream activities, and really enjoy themselves and show off their amazing talents,” she said.