A Special Thank You From IBTF President, Sandi Wiemers

​THE IBTF NATIONS CUP, WORLD MAJORETTES AND WORLD BATON TWIRLING CHAMPIONSHIP CAME TO A CLOSE ON AUGUST 13, 2023.

It was history in the making!    

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hundreds of volunteers who contributed to the production of this event. The planning and preparation all began many years ago by our IBTF Executive Committee and months prior by our host federation, United Twirl England. 

Thank you to the following:

• Carol Benz, IBTF Entry Registrar: The central person who was most important in all entry preparations. Carol has volunteered her time for many years in developing a data registration system and now has chosen to retire after this competition. Thank you, Carol. We are grateful to you and your service and dedication.
• I want to specifically mention the chief officers of UTE:Nicky O’Neill, Anita Stanforth, Denise Pearse, Liz Mouzer. 
• Maxine Halford: There to help with everything and anything from judge to technical assistant... we could NOT do it all without you, Maxine! 
  
• Awards & Show Productions: Ann, Claire, and Sarah Cullum
• Scoring, Music & Display System: Tony Pratt, Rob and Byron Allen
• Sound Technicians: Peter Hewitt and Dan Atwell
• The Main Announcers: Pam Sheldrake and Milijan Sinicco 
• Back Office and Tabulation Crew: Ann Robertson, Gail Reid, Kimberly Cousin, Lauren Walker, Rachel Firmage, Joan Fisher and Val Towers
• Backstage hostesses: Chris Wells, June Cobbett, Kelly Huynh, Kelly Powell, and Sue McWilliam. 
• IBTF’s Chief of Tabulation: Niklas Strid, along with Tony Pratt and IBTF’s Communications Team did a remarkable job of getting the results compiled and ready for posting to our website and social media.  
• IBTF Social Media & Communications Team members onsite for the week that provided you with news, updates and results: PJ Burkin, Jen Marcus, Anastassia Tsaloukas, Hilde Rebbestad, Savannah Miller, and Kyla Wilson.
• To the volunteers who helped assist with tabulation and gathering all of the necessary paperwork: Moto Tsuchiya, IBTF Executive member, along with Angie Smith, Kelly Randle, Julie Conroy, Aisling Hayden, Janis Malloy, Susan Troy, Barbara Yeates and Sonya Doherty.
• To our judges’ chairs: Jackie Stewart and Darlene King for managing and arranging all things necessary for our judges.
• To our technical chairs: Paola DeMarchi and Christine Bel for managing and monitoring all technical aspects of the competition.
• To the staff of nearly 70 judges: Your skills and dedication to our sport throughout this 9-day competition... for being here to volunteer your expertise in making the big decisions in the competition. We appreciate your for dedication and service.
• To Jeff Johnson, IBTF Executive Member: A master at statistics and without his expertise in scheduling this 9-day event it would never run as efficiently and smoothly as it did.
• To the coaches, team and group directors: Those who trained and prepared these athletes to be part of this competition. Coaches, you are the heart of and soul of this business. You are the creators and innovators and the mentors of promoting good sportsmanship and teaching our young people good life skills for the future.  
• Unquestionably, thank you to all parents: For providing your athlete the opportunity to take part in the competition, and to grow and thrive in a healthy sport environment and to experience our sport at the World level.  Athletes – you are so lucky.   

Congratulations to all of the very 1st IBTF World Baton Twirling Champions! What a great week of competition watching all of the athletes.  You demonstrate the best of what is good about the young people in our sport from around the world.

I hope you enjoyed the championship, whether in person or watching on the internet.  We hope to see many of you again in 2024 for World Freestyle and Rhythmic Championship in Helsingborg, Sweden!  
 
Sincerely,
Sandi Wiemers, President
International Baton Twirling Federation
 
On behalf of the IBTF Executive Committee:
Beverly Johnson, Nicky O’Neill, Jeff Johnson, Denise Pearse, Lise Rebbestad, Moto Tsuchiya, Amy Williams, Paola DeMarchi, Christine Bel, Jackie Stewart, Darlene King Gaboury, Dale White, Rita Schrooten.