Competition Ballroom Dancing, now called DanceSport,
was invented in England in the 1920's, and
soon spread around the world. As its popularity grew
in the 1950s, it was divided into grades, so that dancers
could feel more comfortable competing wih others of a similar 
standard to themselves. Also age groups were specified so that 
children and young teenagers could compete against others
in their own age group.
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As seen in films such as "Strictly Ballroom", DanceSport
is commonly thought of as a young person's activity, 
but this changed somewhat in 1989 in Australia with the
introduction of the 'Masters' age group for competitors over 
the age of 35.
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Another age group: the 'Masters II' was introduced experimentally 
in Australia about 5 years ago. Initially, dancers were reluctant 
to reveal their age by competing in this group, but it is now the 
fastest growing age group in DanceSport.