Sammy Stopford
Encyclopedia
Sammy Stopford is a professional ballroom dancer and teacher, and winner of the Professional International Latin American Dance Championship in 1993.
He competed in Latin dance with three main partners. His partner from 1973 to 1979/80 was Lyn Aspden (now Lyn Gaskell). They won a number of amateur competitions before turning professional. Their peak achievement was winning the All England Professional Latin Championship in 1979.
He married his next partner, Shirley Ballas
, and together they came second in the Professional World Latin Dance Championships three times, in 1982, 1983 and 1985. They won the 1983 Professional International Latin American Dance Championship, and the 1984 Open Professional UK Latin title. They were at this time the #2 ranked couple in the world.
After his divorce from Ballas, Stopford had another professional partnership with Barbara McColl. They also came second in the World Latin, in 1988 and 1993; and won the International Latin in 1993. The pair also won the European Professional Latin Championship in 1991, and the UK Open and British in 1994. Retired from competition dancing, the Stopford and McColl continue to work as dance teachers and coaches to Latin dancers, and as competition judges.
He competed in Latin dance with three main partners. His partner from 1973 to 1979/80 was Lyn Aspden (now Lyn Gaskell). They won a number of amateur competitions before turning professional. Their peak achievement was winning the All England Professional Latin Championship in 1979.
He married his next partner, Shirley Ballas
Shirley Ballas
Shirley Ballas is a British ballroom dancer, teacher and adjudicator. She specialises in the International Latin division, where she won several championship titles earning her the nickname, "The Queen of Latin." Shirley was first married to, and competed with, fellow Briton Sammy Stopford. They...
, and together they came second in the Professional World Latin Dance Championships three times, in 1982, 1983 and 1985. They won the 1983 Professional International Latin American Dance Championship, and the 1984 Open Professional UK Latin title. They were at this time the #2 ranked couple in the world.
After his divorce from Ballas, Stopford had another professional partnership with Barbara McColl. They also came second in the World Latin, in 1988 and 1993; and won the International Latin in 1993. The pair also won the European Professional Latin Championship in 1991, and the UK Open and British in 1994. Retired from competition dancing, the Stopford and McColl continue to work as dance teachers and coaches to Latin dancers, and as competition judges.