All-Star Covid-19 / Varsity Response

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At this point the entire season should just be digital, honestly. It sucks and I hate it, but that's the safe way to go and would stop getting peoples' hopes up.


At this point, parents here are questioning the $200 per month in comp fees when we only have 4-6 competitions this season. That includes 2-3 national events depending on the team and 2 local. I've already invested $1000 for competitions I don't see happening. That doesn't include the $300+ hotel bill in Louisville not the $600 I lost in hotel bills last season. Cheer has become very expensive for parents to not know what's going on.
 
Where we are, we're government mandated to close. We're on a lock down the almost same as we were in March, except this time schools remain open. It's been devastating to our families, and especially our kids. They're struggling. Our coaches are struggling. Blissfully, somehow, the business is going to make it. Its now a minimum of 4 weeks, possibly longer depending on what happens.

My province has 10.6% positivity rate with outbreaks in 2 hospitals and multiple personal care homes, We've had more deaths in the last 3 weeks than we've had since the pandemic began. Our ICU's are at 100% capacity across the province and we see between 300-500 cases a day for a population of 1.4 million people.

Competition season seems like a distant dream. I am grateful that event producers have gone totally virtual, and that we are allowed to register routines with pieces missing, they simply won't be judged. For example, until last week, we were allowed 15 minutes of stunting per day. We've committed to competing, we just don't know what it will look like, or when, or how.
 
Where we are, we're government mandated to close. We're on a lock down the almost same as we were in March, except this time schools remain open. It's been devastating to our families, and especially our kids. They're struggling. Our coaches are struggling. Blissfully, somehow, the business is going to make it. Its now a minimum of 4 weeks, possibly longer depending on what happens.

My province has 10.6% positivity rate with outbreaks in 2 hospitals and multiple personal care homes, We've had more deaths in the last 3 weeks than we've had since the pandemic began. Our ICU's are at 100% capacity across the province and we see between 300-500 cases a day for a population of 1.4 million people.

Competition season seems like a distant dream. I am grateful that event producers have gone totally virtual, and that we are allowed to register routines with pieces missing, they simply won't be judged. For example, until last week, we were allowed 15 minutes of stunting per day. We've committed to competing, we just don't know what it will look like, or when, or how.
So happy the business will make it! I honestly never approached this season thinking it would be normal in any way or really expecting much in the way of travel competitions. I just wanted our program to keep its doors open and my girls to maintain the skills they worked to so hard to obtain. Virtual competitions seem like the best offering all around, not sure why more don't just commit to that now as trying to host in person safely AND make money would seem challenging.
 
So happy the business will make it! I honestly never approached this season thinking it would be normal in any way or really expecting much in the way of travel competitions. I just wanted our program to keep its doors open and my girls to maintain the skills they worked to so hard to obtain. Virtual competitions seem like the best offering all around, not sure why more don't just commit to that now as trying to host in person safely AND make money would seem challenging.

Same. I’m happy the gym is doing ok and the kids are there as safely as possible (with masks). CP is maintaining & gaining skills. If comps don’t happen much I’m fine with it.
 
Ok, so this is just wrong. The bid event scheduled for December 12-13 in Schaumburg, IL has been moved to Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells, WI. The governor of WI was on tv yesterday imploring people to stay home but he does not have the same authority to shut things down as they do in IL. This week Wisconsin set new records for cases, deaths and hospitalizations.
Doctors and nurses are in despair over the situation there, hospital capacity is maxed and they are exhausted. How completely disrespectful and selfish to not only have planned events there, but move events to WI because other states have tougher restrictions.
 
RANDOM QUESTION - This season will you still need a paid FLO/VARSITY TV subscription to watch the videos/live feeds?

Seems rather ridiculous to CHARGE Suzy's grandma to watch a video of her competing in the gym. Or pay to watch her at compete at an in person event that probably won't allow spectators.
 
For our 12/5 Comp we were told only teams from within NJ.
Drop off only- no spectators.
Crossovers have to leave between teams.
We are waiting for the block schedule but it seems like they are only allowing 1 level at a time. We were told to expect a VERY long day. More details to come.


Exactly. Yes, it does seem we can compete against NJ teams but with the rigid states guidelines re: capacity we can't all be in a gym/arena together so EP's would really need to figure the logistics and how that would even be profitable. I think it was left open probably thinking of activities such as high school basketball.


I agree. In NJ he didn't put an end date to when we would be allowed to do interstate competitions but it seems to be ignoring reality to believe it will be anytime other than after winter is over. It's too bad the idea of pushing competitions until spring didn't appear to really be considered.

I believe recent reports that we will, but realistically there are not enough doses available for this winter which is what we need to get through!
 
For our 12/5 Comp we were told only teams from within NJ.
Drop off only- no spectators.
Crossovers have to leave between teams.
We are waiting for the block schedule but it seems like they are only allowing 1 level at a time. We were told to expect a VERY long day. More details to come.
Thanks for those details! I don't see how that is better than staying in your home gym, if of course they can ensure the integrity of videos, how many tries etc. But for us if that was relatively local it sounds cautious and I would be ok with it. Now driving to Wildwood for that or flying somewhere? I wouldn't be a fan.
 
For our 12/5 Comp we were told only teams from within NJ.
Drop off only- no spectators.
Crossovers have to leave between teams.
We are waiting for the block schedule but it seems like they are only allowing 1 level at a time. We were told to expect a VERY long day. More details to come.
Wow!
Biggest question..
bids? I assume teams that don’t attend are not eligible for bids given out? Soooo. With that are other teams out of luck?
Can’t remember the comp but it was originally set up in the state of Illinois moved to WI just to get around covid.
 
Ok, so this is just wrong. The bid event scheduled for December 12-13 in Schaumburg, IL has been moved to Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells, WI. The governor of WI was on tv yesterday imploring people to stay home but he does not have the same authority to shut things down as they do in IL. This week Wisconsin set new records for cases, deaths and hospitalizations.
Doctors and nurses are in despair over the situation there, hospital capacity is maxed and they are exhausted. How completely disrespectful and selfish to not only have planned events there, but move events to WI because other states have tougher restrictions.
yep. originally our whole program was set to go to Holiday Classic, now it's just our worlds teams and some of our parents are furious. 1) it's totally unsafe and immoral to move a whole competition a MONTH beforehand, just to get around covid restrictions 2) now, depending on the location of the gym, we could have families that originally signed up to drive 2-3 hours to get to this comp driving 8-9-10 hours and many parents are very upset because (other than worlds and summit or occasionally cheersport) we try to keep our competitions not more than a few hours away. now families are having to rebook hotels and figure out new plans and schedules and it is whole mess. very unprofessional of whoever is running holiday classic.
 
yep. originally our whole program was set to go to Holiday Classic, now it's just our worlds teams and some of our parents are furious. 1) it's totally unsafe and immoral to move a whole competition a MONTH beforehand, just to get around covid restrictions 2) now, depending on the location of the gym, we could have families that originally signed up to drive 2-3 hours to get to this comp driving 8-9-10 hours and many parents are very upset because (other than worlds and summit or occasionally cheersport) we try to keep our competitions not more than a few hours away. now families are having to rebook hotels and figure out new plans and schedules and it is whole mess. very unprofessional of whoever is running holiday classic.
I am so sorry that your program is dealing with that right now. I would be furious and it is not right! They (Varsity) said that they would abide by local Covid restrictions but that isn't what they are doing. They are changing destinations purposely to EVADE restrictions and they should be called out for it. That comp should be canceled or virtual and you all should not be put in that position. Clearly the virus is raging in that area and will be for a bit. We - the collective we - will get through this much faster and with less pain if people in positions of power start making decisions for the common good and not just in their own interest. IMO, virtual is better than a complete shutdown which will happen if this keeps up.
 
Where we are, we're government mandated to close. We're on a lock down the almost same as we were in March, except this time schools remain open. It's been devastating to our families, and especially our kids. They're struggling. Our coaches are struggling. Blissfully, somehow, the business is going to make it. Its now a minimum of 4 weeks, possibly longer depending on what happens.

My province has 10.6% positivity rate with outbreaks in 2 hospitals and multiple personal care homes, We've had more deaths in the last 3 weeks than we've had since the pandemic began. Our ICU's are at 100% capacity across the province and we see between 300-500 cases a day for a population of 1.4 million people.

Competition season seems like a distant dream. I am grateful that event producers have gone totally virtual, and that we are allowed to register routines with pieces missing, they simply won't be judged. For example, until last week, we were allowed 15 minutes of stunting per day. We've committed to competing, we just don't know what it will look like, or when, or how.

Oh I feel you, we have been on lockdown for a while now here in Quebec (since the beginning of October). Some small gyms already had to shut down last spring, I am pretty sure others will follow this winter...

Good luck to you guys!
 
I would assume you have to compete for the bid since there is. I virtual portion. I do know there are less bids than usual as this used to be a 2 day and they switched it to 1. And there are currently 85 teams registered.

But honestly with the daily increases of cases in the state I feel like it will be cancelled.

Wow!
Biggest question..
bids? I assume teams that don’t attend are not eligible for bids given out? Soooo. With that are other teams out of luck?
Can’t remember the comp but it was originally set up in the state of Illinois moved to WI just to get around covid.
 
yep. originally our whole program was set to go to Holiday Classic, now it's just our worlds teams and some of our parents are furious. 1) it's totally unsafe and immoral to move a whole competition a MONTH beforehand, just to get around covid restrictions 2) now, depending on the location of the gym, we could have families that originally signed up to drive 2-3 hours to get to this comp driving 8-9-10 hours and many parents are very upset because (other than worlds and summit or occasionally cheersport) we try to keep our competitions not more than a few hours away. now families are having to rebook hotels and figure out new plans and schedules and it is whole mess. very unprofessional of whoever is running holiday classic.
I assume they will be giving refunds for those who wish to not go. I think every EP is in a tough spot right now - for every person who feels an in person competition shouldn't happen there is at least one person who absolutely wants to compete. I'm not sure how the drive increases more than 3 hours for anyone since the venues are 2.5-3 hours apart per the map but I'm not from that area so maybe I'm missing something. Regardless, this season really needs to be about flexibility and compromise if the industry wants to survive past this season.
 
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I assume they will be giving refunds for those who wish to not go. I think every EP is in a tough spot right now - for every person who feels an in person competition shouldn't happen there is at least one person who absolutely wants to compete. I'm not sure how the drive increases more than 3 hours for anyone since the venues are 2.5-3 hours apart per the map but I'm not from that area so maybe I'm missing something. Regardless, this season really needs to be flexibility and compromise if the industry wants to survive past this season.
I really want my kids to compete. But I don't want to be put into a position to travel to areas with raging infections and hospitalizations to do so. I also want my kids in school and not virtual but that isn't happening either. I get how smaller local comps could arrange for something safe inside but nobody has said how NCA or Cheersport would do this? I have been to both many times and don't see it and they are not saying. Keeping six feet social distance on those escalators? in the bathrooms? eating anything? simply walking?

It is all almost a moot point because at this time travel restrictions are such that many teams will not be able to go whether people want to or not. If we can get past these next few months we have a realistic potential to safely have competitions in spring, Summit, Worlds etc. My fear is by pushing it now the first cheer mom, dad or grandparent that brings it back after a trip will shut it down entirely in many states. No local comps, no practices, nothing.
 
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