- Feb 4, 2010
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This post wins the internet.But the international 5 division at worlds has more lax tumbling requirements compared to club level 5 to even the playing field a little more for countries without the resources to develop strong tumbling...? On top of the 3 per country rule to level the playing field even more?
If they want a division to promote more worldwide participation, it belongs in ICU. It should not be a division that regular old club teams who clearly have the resources are able to compete in and it most definitely should not be a division at the world championships. "Retaining athletes" or "starting cheer at a young age" are NOT good enough reasons, sorry.
If you want to add that division at your local competitions, fine, but these routines should not be earning bids to the world championship.
In addition, I worry for the coaches. I know many get paid peanuts to actually coach teams, and their main source of income comes from tumbling lessons. I think more kids dislike or fear tumbling than love it (tumbling never came easy to my kids and those classes and lessons were necessary to get them to the level they wanted to be), and if given the option to be able to compete at Worlds without high level tumbling skills kids may discontinue those classes and private lessons. If this trend continues (and I think it will), gyms could see a big hit from this.