World Swing Dance Council

WSDC's own site dates the Council's inception to 1993: "Since the inception of the World Swing Dance Council in 1993, Annie Hirsch envisioned tracking the progress and advancement of swing dancers in a digital format."

In 1996 Anthony Genatempo built the original digital Points Registry database, working with Annie Hirsch and Mark Scheuffele. WSDC says its core concepts and functionality remain in place today.

Before the registry, swing competitions operated independently with no centralised ranking system.

The points system records dancers' Jack & Jill placements across WSDC Registry Events worldwide. Those events are run by INDEPENDENT PROMOTERS; WSDC maintains the registry and the division rules rather than operating the events.

WSDC Registry Events span North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and South America.

WSDC is governed by a board that includes event directors, competitors, and community leaders.

Events must register with WSDC to contribute to the official ranking system.

The organization maintains rules for competition format, music, judging criteria, and competitor conduct.

WSDC's distinctive feature: competitors are often judged dancing with partners assigned by random draw (Jack & Jill format).

Jack & Jill: Random-partner competitions where leads and follows are matched by draw — the signature WSDC format.

Strictly Swing: Choreographed routine divisions.

Classic: Semi-improvised showcase divisions.

Rising Star: Emerging competitor category.

Divisions by points: Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, All-Star, Champion.

Points accumulate from registered events to determine division eligibility.