Login with email
Throughout the year, we take part in a number of competitions, taking place as far south as Warwick. Some venues aren’t accessible by train, so our only option is to travel by coach; however, due to the unusual pick-up and drop-off times, these coaches are very expensive, and with the help of Challenge Week, our funds allow us to cover the cost.
We’ve been part of the York community since nearly the beginning, with our earliest reference dating back to 1970. In 2024, one of our couples won the Most Improved award at Colours Ball, and we were shortlisted for Student Group of the Year.
Since Challenge Week began four years ago, our society has grown enormously, not just in numbers, but in what we’re able to offer our dancers. Last year we attended all 10 available competitions, compared with just 5 the year before. This growth has only been possible thanks to the support Challenge Week provides.
As transport and competition costs continue to rise each year, the donations we receive make a huge difference in keeping us competing. Our most exciting event of the year is the iconic Blackpool competition, which even beginners can take part in. Unfortunately, it’s also the most expensive, with higher entry fees and the added cost of accommodation.
Challenge Week is truly essential to keeping our society thriving, and we’re incredibly grateful for every donation that helps us continue doing what we love.
All money raised goes directly into our competition fund, which covers essential costs including transport and entry fees. We rely on coaches for most competitions because many venues are too far to reach affordably by train. Unfortunately, hiring coaches at unusual hours significantly increases the price, and rising costs have already limited how often we can use them this year.
On top of this, universities are increasing their entry fees more frequently, and the Blackpool competition alone rises by around 10% every year. These growing expenses make Challenge Week support more important than ever, helping us continue attending the competitions that mean so much to our dancers.
Ballroom and Latin is an inherently expensive sport, so we subsidise as much as we can to keep it accessible to the wider community. Our team has grown significantly, with 42 members attending Blackpool this year, the highest number we’ve had in the past three years. This growth is likely thanks to separating our lesson budget from our competition budget, which has allowed us to offer twice as many teaching hours as before. Despite Blackpool costing nearly double any other competition, our substantial subsidy has made it possible for over half of our members to attend. They are receiving two nights of accommodation, full entry, and transport for under £50, ensuring that cost isn’t a barrier to taking part in the biggest event of the year.
Below are some of the challenges we will complete as part of the week, run by our four signatories:
We have Instagram: @yblsoc
Facebook: @yblsoc
TikTok: @yblsoc
Email: ybls@yorksu.org
YouTube: @yblsoc
Please follow us to keep up to date with our progress!
We would love you to donate as much or as little as you are able and any donations are hugely appreciated. Your donation could also help us unlock fundraising challenges which will help us reach our goal even faster (you can see these on the challenges page).
If you are looking to support an individual dancer or challenge please put a message with your donation saying who!
Alternatively, if you are unable to donate then please do spread the word by signing up as a Challenge Week ambassador for our club, and sharing our social media posts to your own socials so as many people as possible can read about our efforts!