Evolution Twirlers was formed in April 2010.  It was formed and is run by Tracey Tapp with help with training from Dupe Odusote.  Tracey herself was a twirler in her younger days and twirled with Wyvern Twirlers based in Cullompton and had great success at NBTA competitions in the mid 80’s.  She got involved with twirling after her two daughters decided to take up the hobby!!  In their first year, they competed in NBTA, NAME and SWIMA competitions.  During this year they had great success with the juvenile pom team coming second in the NBTA nationals, three national champions and many more awards, third in the NAME nationals as well as many individual awards and three England team members and many, many awards at the SWIMA end of year competition.

During 2011, more of the girls decided they would like to try for the NAME England team so it was decided to concentrate on this association only.  They also joined forces with another team ‘Dazzlers’ from Devizes to put together teams for the European championships.  The 7 seven girls involved trained regularly in Bristol.  They were successful in their attempt and they were all part of the England Team for the European Championships 2011 where they took silver in the Junior Accessory Team. 

2012 see them back as Evolution Twirlers with several new girls joining and now have pee wee, juvenile and senior teams.  Tracey has now been joined with help with training by Kate Spillane from Dazzlers and the team is going from strength to strength. 

We are always looking for new members and anyone who is interested In joining, please contact us.

What is Twirling ??

Baton twirling is an activity involving the manipulation of a metal rod and the human body to a coordinated routine and is similar to rhythmic gymnastics or color guard (flag spinning). Twirling combines dance and gymnastics while manipulating a single baton or multiple batons. It is primarily performed with the accompaniment of music. Fundamental characteristics of the sport include the handling of the baton to create visual images, pictures, and patterns executed with dexterity both close in and around the body and the release of the baton into the air. The discipline requires the simultaneous blending of these fundamental characteristics, utilizing time and space to display both technical merit and artistic expression.

Baton twirling requires skillful coordination and extraordinary control of the human body. Additionally it requires a great amount of flexibility in order to properly execute baton, dance, and gymnastics elements. Choreography for baton twirling is designed to promote expression of the body through dance and movement to create a demonstration of strength, flexibility, physical fitness, beauty, aesthetics, and harmony in coordination with the manipulation of the baton.

History

Baton twirling started in Eastern Europe and Asia. It is thought it started at dance festivals where the goers used knives, Rifles, torches and sticks to twirl with and toss. The sport progressed into the armies of some countries which twirled with rifles during marches. When the army was parading, they added a rifle twirler to the front of the marchers. The rifle was then switched for a "mace". The mace was much larger than the batons of today and imbalanced. They are still used by some marching bands at parades nowadays. The mace barer or "drum major" twirled the baton whilst leading the army or band. The maces were altered for easier twirling and now resemble the batons. They were given smaller ends of light rubber, made from hollow light metal and balanced to give accuracy to the twirler. It is thought it was the involvement of females ("drum majorettes") and the progression of twirling that prompted the lightening and balancing of the baton. The sport came to North America when Major Millsap’s created baton twirling when he established Millsap’s College in Mississippi after the Civil War.

While many member countries have their own national organizations, at the world level, three governing bodies are recognized: the World Baton Twirling Federation (WBTF)/, the World Twirling Association (WTA)/, and The Global Alliance of National Baton Twirling & Majorette Associations (NBTA)/. The WBTF and NBTA host World Championships and International Cup (WBTF), while the WTA continues to honor the origins of the sport with additional events that WBTF does not include.

Established in 1977, the World Baton Twirling Federation was formed to develop, encourage, and standardize the sport. In October 1979, the Federation representatives met in Paris, France to finalize all plans for the first World Championships, bringing together teams of twirlers from ten countries to compete in a spirit of healthy, athletic competition. The United States Twirling Association, Inc. hosted the first World Championships in Seattle, Washington in 1980. Each successive year, one member country has hosts the championships in August.

Current member countries of the WBTF include: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Catalonia, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Seychelles, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States of America.

Current member countries of the NBTA include: Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United States of America. Under consideration are: Australia, Estonia, Japan, Slovenia, and South Africa.