eParkietTournament Categories Management
Complete guide to creating and managing dance competition categories
Comprehensive guide to setting up and managing tournament categories for dance competitions.
Overview
Categories define the structure of your dance competition and determine how participants are grouped for judging. Each category represents a specific combination of age group, skill level, and dance style.
Important: Categories must be created before tickets. Each participant ticket must be linked to a specific category.
Category Structure
Basic Components
Every tournament category combines these elements:
Age Classifications:
- Children (up to 12 years)
- Youth (13-17 years)
- Adult (18+ years)
- Senior (35+ years)
Skill Levels:
- Beginner/Newcomer
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Professional
Dance Styles:
- Standard (Ballroom)
- Latin American
- 10-Dance (combined)
- Specialty/Regional
Creating Categories
Access Category Management
Navigate to your tournament and select Categories:
- Go to Tournaments in main navigation
- Select your tournament
- Click Categories tab
- Click Create Category or Add New Category
Basic Category Information
Required Fields:
- Category Name - Clear, descriptive name (e.g., "Standard Adult A")
- Description - Detailed explanation of requirements and format
- Maximum Participants - Set capacity limits
- Registration Deadline - Category-specific deadline if different from tournament
Optional Settings:
- Category abbreviation for reports
- Visual indicators (colors, icons)
- Special requirements or notes
Age and Eligibility Requirements
Age Configuration:
- Set minimum and maximum age limits
- Define cutoff date for age calculations
- Configure partner age rules (older, younger, or average)
- Set tolerance periods for borderline cases
Eligibility Verification:
- Require age verification documents
- Set experience requirements
- Define license or certification needs
- Configure instructor approval requirements
Category Limits and Capacity
Participation Management:
- Set maximum number of couples/individuals
- Configure waiting list functionality
- Define minimum participants to run category
- Set registration priority rules
Transfer Policies:
- Allow category transfers between similar levels
- Set transfer deadlines
- Configure transfer fees or restrictions
- Define approval requirements for transfers
Category Types and Configurations
Standard Ballroom Dances:
- Waltz - Classic ballroom dance in 3/4 time
- Tango - Sharp, staccato movements
- Viennese Waltz - Fast-paced rotating dance
- Foxtrot - Smooth, flowing movement
- Quickstep - Lively, upbeat ballroom dance
Category Examples:
- "Standard Youth B" - Intermediate youth standard dances
- "Standard Adult A" - Advanced adult standard competition
- "Standard Senior" - Senior division standard dances
Configuration Options:
- All five dances or subset selection
- Single dance specialization
- Medal or competition format
- Judging criteria customization
Latin American Dances:
- Cha-Cha-Cha - Playful, rhythmic dance
- Samba - Brazilian carnival-style dance
- Rumba - Romantic, expressive dance
- Paso Doble - Spanish bullfight-inspired dance
- Jive - Energetic swing-style dance
Category Examples:
- "Latin Youth A" - Advanced youth Latin competition
- "Latin Adult B" - Intermediate adult Latin dances
- "Latin Professional" - Professional Latin division
Special Considerations:
- Rhythm emphasis and musical interpretation
- Costume and presentation requirements
- Regional style variations
- Performance vs. competition focus
Combined Competitions:
- All five Standard dances
- All five Latin dances
- Comprehensive dance knowledge required
- Higher entry fees typically
Category Structure:
- "10-Dance Amateur" - Non-professional competitors
- "10-Dance Professional" - Professional dancers
- "10-Dance Youth" - Young comprehensive dancers
Judging Considerations:
- Balanced scoring across all dances
- Overall versatility assessment
- Stamina and endurance requirements
- Technical proficiency in both styles
Special Categories:
- Single dance focus (e.g., "Tango Only")
- Regional or cultural dances
- Formation or team competitions
- Showcase or theatrical presentations
- Mixed-age or family categories
Custom Configuration:
- Flexible age requirements
- Unique judging criteria
- Special equipment or costume needs
- Non-standard competition formats
Examples:
- "Father-Daughter Waltz"
- "Same-Gender Competition"
- "Wheelchair Dance Sport"
- "Pro-Am Showcase"
Advanced Category Management
Participant Tracking
Real-Time Monitoring:
- Current registration count vs. capacity
- Payment status for each participant
- Registration deadline compliance
- Waiting list management
Participant Management:
- Individual participant profiles within categories
- Registration status tracking
- Payment verification
- Communication tools for category-specific messages
Category Analytics
Performance Metrics:
- Registration rates and trends
- Revenue per category
- Popular category combinations
- Historical participation data
Reporting Capabilities:
- Category participation reports
- Demographic analysis
- Financial performance by category
- Export capabilities for further analysis
Integration with Tickets and Pricing
Linking Categories to Tickets
Critical: Each category must have a corresponding participant ticket to collect entry fees and registrations.
Ticket Configuration:
- One ticket per category (required)
- Pricing can vary by category
- Early bird vs. regular pricing
- Multiple pricing tiers possible
Registration Flow:
- Participant selects ticket type
- Ticket is automatically linked to specific category
- Payment processing occurs
- Participant is registered for that category
Pricing Strategies
Category-Based Pricing:
- Higher fees for advanced levels
- Premium pricing for popular categories
- Discounts for youth or senior categories
- Package deals for multiple categories
Dynamic Pricing:
- Early bird discounts
- Late registration surcharges
- Capacity-based pricing adjustments
- Group or team discounts
Category Management Best Practices
Planning Considerations
Before Creating Categories:
- Research local dance community preferences
- Consider venue capacity and schedule constraints
- Plan judging requirements and expertise needed
- Estimate participation levels for each category
Category Naming:
- Use consistent naming conventions
- Make names clear and descriptive
- Include key information (age, level, style)
- Consider abbreviations for reports and certificates
Operational Management
During Registration Period:
- Monitor registration progress across categories
- Adjust capacity limits if needed
- Communicate with participants about category selection
- Manage category transfers and changes
Pre-Tournament:
- Verify minimum participation requirements
- Finalize category listings and schedules
- Prepare judging assignments
- Generate category-specific participant lists
Post-Tournament Analysis
Performance Review:
- Analyze which categories were most/least popular
- Review pricing effectiveness
- Assess capacity planning accuracy
- Gather participant feedback for future improvements
Data for Future Planning:
- Participation trends by category
- Regional preferences and patterns
- Seasonal variations in category popularity
- Demographic insights for marketing
Pro Tip: Start with standard category structures and expand based on community response and demand patterns.