The increasing popularity of the sport of baton twirling throughout the world brought about the formation of the WORLD BATON TWIRLING FEDERATION (WBTF). An organizational meeting in London, England in 1977 brought together the leaders of the baton twirling organizations from many countries around the world. The founding President of the WBTF was Mr. John Kirkendall, from Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA.

At that meeting, the WBTF was formed to develop, encourage, and standardize the sport. With the spirit of international cooperation which characterized the London meeting, the second meeting was held in the Canary Island in 1978 at which time the By-Laws of the Federation were approved and discussion of international rules of competition were debated by the representatives.

As a prelude to the first World Competition, the WBTF conducted the first World Demonstration of Baton Twirling on March 31, 1979, in the beautiful setting of Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy. An estimated crowd of 10,000 spectators watched as athletes performed complicated routines with precision and grace.

In October of 1979, the Federation representatives met in Paris, France to finalize all plans for the first WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS OF BATON TWIRLING, bringing together teams of twirlers from ten countries to compete in a spirit of healthy, athletic competition. The United States Twirling Association, Inc. hosted the first World Championships in Seattle, Washington in 1980. Each successive year, one member country has hosted the championships.

Affiliate Membership was established for new and developing countries to allow close affiliation with the Federation before moving up to Provisional Membership, which then allows these new countries additional involvement prior to obtaining full membership status in the Federation. Some of the major accomplishments made over the years include the following:

• 1991 - the Official WBTF Constitution was signed by 14 member countries with a complete set of By-Laws and Rules and Regulations.
• The main events at the first World Baton Twirling Championships were Freestyle and Compulsory Moves. Two new events were introduced: Teams (1981) and Pairs (1993). In 2005, a Short Program replaced the Compulsory Moves for the Senior Men and Women’s divisions.
• New age classifications were introduced for world-class competition to ensure fairness and equality.
• Provisional Membership and Affiliate Membership were added to encourage growth and participation of new countries.
• 2005 – The very first International Cup was hosted by the USTA in St. Paul, Minnesota. Events offered at the International Cup are: 1-baton, 2-baton, 3-baton, Team and Group. Age divisions: Junior (12-16); Senior (17-20); Adult (21 and over). Number of participants for Team (6 to 8 members); Group (10 to 20 members). Alternates: maximum 2 for Teams and Groups. The WBTF also introduced a Level A and a Level B for all events to assist new member countries. Guidelines were established for Level B events.
• International Clinics taught by coaches from around the world are offered to all athletes following world competition.
• A standardized Judges’ Training Program and Master Exam have been established for all WBTF events.
• Many member countries have been granted official sports recognition by their National Sports Governing Body and by their National Olympic Committee.
• Baton Twirling was presented to the public for the first time as a “promotional sport” at the 1993 World Games in The Hague, Netherlands.

The WBTF is committed to the ideals of democracy, fairness, and honesty; its Board of Directors work on long-range projects and oversees specific focus areas. The Technical and Judges’ Committees have standardized the sport of baton twirling through extensive testing and development.

Twirlers, coaches, judges, and parents look to the WBTF World Championships as the epitome of baton twirling excellence.

The World Baton Twirling Record Book, sponsored by Star Line Baton Company Inc. and the WBTF provides photographs, text and complete competition results for previous World Baton Twirling Championships and the International Cup, plus it also provides other articles and history of the WBTF.

We all know that the era of pleated mini-skirts and high-stepping parade marchers as baton twirlers has diminished and that baton twirling has progressed to a physically demanding, world class sport. Baton twirling has developed into a multi-faceted sport for everyone----children, adolescents, and adults. It is a great sport for recreation, school groups, community organizations, and, of course, competition.

But baton twirling is not only a sport----it is also an art. It is an art because it requires style and beauty, and a sport because it combines intense coordination to keep the baton in motion while the body moves in a graceful manner, all the while incorporating dance moves, gymnastic maneuvers, and music interpretation demanding a high level of concentration and physical exertion. In addition, baton twirling promotes sportsmanship and a competitive spirit. Baton twirling as a competitive sport encompasses the physical stamina and agility of gymnastics and dance, the artistic expression and beauty of figure skating and ballet, and the technical skill of all these sports combined.

Baton twirling has truly become a sight to behold----an entertaining and exciting sport to perform and watch. Baton twirling has become a great sport and a great activity for boys and girls, and men and women.

Participating in the sport of competitive baton twirling has given many athletes the change to learn about discipline, perseverance, frustration, uncertainty, pain, victory, even defeat. Baton twirling gives the athlete an opportunity to achieve, to feel a sense of self-esteem and personal accomplishment, and to learn about setting and attaining goals. The World Baton Twirling Championships and International Cup allow our athletes to meet new friends, learn about different cultures, and represent their country in a spirit of patriotism at the most prestigious baton twirling championships with dignity and pride.

The World Baton Twirling Federation is composed of the most devoted leaders, the friendliest baton twirlers, and the most dedicated and supportive parents. Member countries of the WBTF believe in their organization and its ideals. The leaders of the WBTF devote their lives to an acknowledged cause----the growth and development of competitive baton twirling as a recognized sport with the promise of fair competitions for all the athletes. We hope that the sport of baton twirling will expand over all continents, so that one-day, the Sport of Baton Twirling will receive Olympic recognition.