- Jan 2, 2012
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Ok, I would like to address this statement. In Doral the discussion to "adjust" the age grid for IOC/IO 5 was brought up at the same time the bottom age for Seniors was brought up. I would like to know, WHY we have an issue with a 14 year old in International team (mainly consisting of 18, 19, 20 year olds) but DON'T have an issue with a 10 year old with 17, 18, 19 (depending on cut off date). Honestly I see all sides, but I feel you are EITHER ok with the 10 AND 14, or your not with either. Not specifically brought up as a proposal but I heard talk of - "Why not have International being 17 & up for US comps i.e. NCA, Cheersport etc. and 14 & up at Worlds?" This allows to keep those kids on your senior teams AND use them at Worlds (if that team isn't a "World's" team). Just some ideas bounced around.
I personally think there are TWO main differences between US and International teams when it comes to this division.
#1 They have NO OTHER OPTION for teams to put that 14, 15 year old on, meaning they don't have A. Small Senior B. Medium Senior C. Large Senior D. Small Coed E. Medium Coed F. Large Coed (not saying they don't have the option, but simply those teams don't exist YET Internationally)
#2 They don't have NCA, Cheersport, Indy, UCA etc. as MAJOR events to compete in where they see the level that we do in the U.S. so World's is their "one shot". Yes, Worlds for U.S. International teams is the "biggest" deal, but winning NCA is equally (IMO) as big of an accomplishment.
Personally I'd LOVE to see the U.S. go to 17 & up, the argument has been that International teams will have an unfair advantage. My thoughts are (over time) International teams will catch the U.S., but guess what, the ONLY way International teams will catch the U.S. is by growing their YOUNGER teams/kids, so by the time they do start catching up to our teams that are 17 & up, they will have be able to field a Sm sr, sm coed etc. Now this is just thoughts and I'm sure there is are more reasons out there against what I am saying, but the positive for ME going to Doral is that things change in a positive way, but they TAKE TIME. So take a breath, think things through, remove your PERSONAL opinion and think "big picture"
Also, just bc I'm curious, can anyone think of the # of athletes that were younger than 17 that globed in the International Divisions this year? I'm not saying that there weren't any, I'm just curious.
Thanks! Happy ripping!
Great Post, I am not ok with Either. I understand when programs do not have a youth team or a team for a younger more advanced kid to be on but I do not support either. =)