The Dragon Lion Cultural Sports Association of Canada (DLCSAC) has completed its 2026 National Training Workshop, held over two weekends in Vancouver and Toronto, bringing together more than 60 dancers, coaches, and judges from over a dozen teams, clubs, and affiliations across the country.
The Vancouver session, held August 29 & 30th, was hosted in partnership with LionDanceBC (@LionDanceBC). The Toronto session, held September 5 & 6th, was hosted in partnership with the Dragon Lion Ontario Association (@dragonlionontario).
Vancouver Session
Toronto Session
The workshop was led in part by a special presenter sent from the Chinese Dragon Lion Dance Federation, Sifu Chen JianLiang Level A Certified Coach, as one of our two Internationally certified judges conducting the events; who delivered sessions on technique, coaching methodology, and officiating and scoring standards.
“Having these special training sessions and workshops on both coasts allows us to reach as many Canadian teams, athletes and coaches as possible and help to build the tradition and sport across the country.”
said Sifu Josh – Secretary General, DLCSAC
About the Workshop
Running identical training on both coasts ensures that dancers, coaches, and judges across Canada — regardless of region, team, or club affiliation — are trained to the same technical and officiating standard. The workshop covered:
- Technical skill development for dancers
- Coaching methodology and training progression
- Judge certification for Level 2: scoring criteria, calibration, and officiating protocol
- Cultural standards
A Celebration
More than a dozen teams, clubs, and affiliations took part across the two sessions, across both coasts. In Toronto DLCSAC participated in a special event held on September 5th as the Hong Luck Kung Fu club held their 65th anniversary dinner. Hong Luck is the oldest Chinese Kung Fu and Lion Dance club in Toronto that still exists today. This is especially important as one of the original thirteen Hong Luck founds, the late Grandmast Paul Chan, was one of DLCSAC founding members and president. The distinguished guests included: the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto – Vice Consul Cheng Hongbo, and Pan American Dragon Lion Sports Association President – Tom Chin (USA).
Looking Ahead
Canada will send a group of judges to participate in the International Judges training and certification held in Shanghai.
About DLCSAC
The Dragon Lion Cultural Sports Association of Canada (DLCSAC) is Canada’s national governing body for Dragon and Lion Dance. Official Canadian Member association to the IDLDF for over 20 years.