All-Star International Unfairness

[BlueCat]

I really like the idea of doing it similar to the Olympics with only one team per country!

We already have an event that is set up exactly like that. The ICU World Championships that happen the days before USASF Worlds. One is countries v countries, the other is gyms vs gyms.

 

[Aussiekat]

Before anyone else brings up the money thing, let me put it in a bit of perspective for you… and this is in no way an argument for justifying anything, I'm just putting it out there…

We couldn't get a coed national team this year because most eligible club teams went last year, and athletes literally could not AFFORD to go to worlds. There is no such thing as a paid bid for ICU or USASF/IASF. My partner and I were asked to compete the coed stunt division this year at ICU. As it's just the two of us it makes things a little cheaper, but we're paying about $5000 EACH to compete for our country for ONE minute. That's a really REALLY freakin expensive minute. Multiply that for a team… and try not to vomit at the cost you'd have to raise annually just for this one competition.

 

[idrive]

IMO all who have posted here have valid points and situations. I see and understand the issues for the US, mostly because I'm here . But I read thru this thread I can see and understand the issues for other Countries. And most here agree rules should be the same across the country. IMO the only one missing the point is the USASF, for making a drastic change to the rule. I agree with a gradual change in the age grid, from 15 to 16 and then to 17.

The question that would need to be posed to the International teams as well as the US teams is if we implement this gradual progression to 17 will we be faced with the same issues which are currently being expressed. Whatever is decided I just don't want it to require yet another change later.

 

[scottish_cheerleader]

The question that would need to be posed to the International teams as well as the US teams is if we implement this gradual progression to 17 will we be faced with the same issues which are currently being expressed. Whatever is decided I just don't want it to require yet another change later.

i dont think it will! i can only speak for what i experience here in scotland...

in the past we have had teams enter level 5 with one kick double... because they could. tumbling wasnt really a requirement here and teams were lucky if they had 1 or 2 back handsprings in their whole programme. most of us started in our late teens.

recently teams have been dropping to be more level appropriate and max out their level... we are now getting teams with all level 5 stunt and pyramid skills, awesome routines... and the tumbling is really getting there... but they are mostly 15/16/27 as previously said. we are bringing up new kids and as it is now the norm for teams to tumble, kids are being taught to tumble and stunt from mini's through to senior so they are constantly progressing as they get older so we have kids feeding into the higher level teams as they get older so i think we would be able to sustain the older age if there is a gradual progression to it

 

[kristenthegreat]

i dont think it will! i can only speak for what i experience here in scotland...

in the past we have had teams enter level 5 with one kick double... because they could. tumbling wasnt really a requirement here and teams were lucky if they had 1 or 2 back handsprings in their whole programme. most of us started in our late teens.

recently teams have been dropping to be more level appropriate and max out their level... we are now getting teams with all level 5 stunt and pyramid skills, awesome routines... and the tumbling is really getting there... but they are mostly 15/16/27 as previously said. we are bringing up new kids and as it is now the norm for teams to tumble, kids are being taught to tumble and stunt from mini's through to senior so they are constantly progressing as they get older so we have kids feeding into the higher level teams as they get older so i think we would be able to sustain the older age if there is a gradual progression to it

How many years? 5? 10? I wouldn't mind if the 14+ rule stayed for a year or so and then moved up a bit..

 

[scottish_cheerleader]

How many years? 5? 10? I wouldn't mind if the 14+ rule stayed for a year or so and then moved up a bit..

well say 2 years? because if the majority of our athletes at 15/16/17 then that will make the current teams all 17+ and the younger kids progressing their skills for when they turn 17 and get their chance

 

[idrive]

Another point to ponder. If the USASF is worried about the 14 year old kids interacting with the older kids then why do they have a block party where 12 year old kids+ are all together? Are they saying you can't compete together but you can party together?

 

[PhoeenBanafrit]

From what I can tell (from my friend and UK Cheer Forum) they don't give out Worlds bids (correct me if I'm wrong), if you look at Future Cheer and BCA for example they have a more clear age grid for Senior, as well as having Senior Open.
Levels 5+6
Future Cheer
Senior (SR5) 12 years plus with one member over 15 years old No males 5-36 members 5
Senior Small Co-Ed (SRSC5) 12 years plus with one member over 15 years old 1-4 males 5-20 members 5
Senior Medium Co-Ed (SRMC5) 12 years plus with one member over 15 years old 1-6 males 5-30 members 5
Senior Large Co-Ed (SRLC5) 12 years plus with one member over 15 years old 1-18 males 5-36 members 5
Senior Open (SOA5/SOA6) 17 years & older No males 5-36 members 5, 6
Senior Open Co-Ed (SOC5/SOC6) 17 years & older 1 or more males 5-36 members 5, 6
BCA
Senior All Girl
Level 5 SAG5 Minimum age 12 with at least 1 member over 15 years old 5-36 Members Female only
Senior Co-ed
Level 5 SC5 Minimum age 12 with at least 1 member over 15 years old 5-36 Members
Males allowed
Senior Open All Girl
Levels 5 & 6 SOA5 & SOA6 All cheerleaders must be 17 or over 5-36 Members
Female only
Senior Open Co-ed
Levels 5 & 6 SOC5 & SOC6 All cheerleaders must be 17 or over 5-36 Members
Males allowed

 

[Emily Jane]

From what I can tell (from my friend and UK Cheer Forum) they don't give out Worlds bids (correct me if I'm wrong), if you look at Future Cheer and BCA for example they have a more clear age grid for Senior, as well as having Senior Open.

They do give out worlds bids - partial paid and at large, although I'm struggling to find out how many from their websites

 

[CEAisstronger]

Okay, so I'm gonna pull this thing called luck. Don't shoot. I blame my world history teacher for showing us the movie "Guns, Germs, and Steel". One part of the movie showed how when the Europeans tried to develop Africa, if was a flop, but when they tried to develop the America's it worked. Geographic luck of the area. I've noticed how in N. America, Cheerleading is a "bigger deal" or "more widespread" than other continents. Maybe it's just partially the luck of the draw when Cheerleading started in N. America compared to Europe or Asia. There are successful teams else where but Cheerleading in N. America seems to have more of an advantage as you've been saying like worlds in Florida. It's just luck to me.

End rant now.

 

[PhoeenBanafrit]

They do give out worlds bids - partial paid and at large, although I'm struggling to find out how many from their websites

Yeah I just found a thread in the archive from what I can tell they give out three.

 

[PhoeenBanafrit]

^ they give them out at Europeans apparently which explains why I didn't know

 

[SmileyRyleigh]

So international teams can't get full paid bids? That must be frustrating...

 

[Emily Jane]

So international teams can't get full paid bids? That must be frustrating...

I'm fairly sure there aren't any given out in the UK, but I'm not sure about other countries.

 

[ICheerForMyCheerleaders]

GymTyme Pink got a full paid at NCA last year i believe