All-Star 2012-2013 Changes To The Usasf Age Grid

I have to say that all that USASF continues to do is add fuel to the ASGA's fire. At this point I would be fine with a different governing body.... and I really don't care who it is.

BlueCat said:

That is among the craziest things I have heard. Deliberately turning people away so that you can compete in the "small gym" category?

The number is 75 because the USASF had, at one point, figured that the average gym size was around 70. My guess is that the median is more like 60 because you have a few outlier mega-gyms that are in no way typical.

This is one of the reasons I had proposed a different setup for dividing gyms. Two divisions, one more competitive ("World League") and a less competitive one ("National League"). As a gym, you pick the one you compete in that season, and you are not allowed to change mid-year. The more competitive division would be eligible for bids, the less competitive division would not. There would only be division splits along these lines at larger events.

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I agree about this. Turning people away seems silly. Ultimately, this is a business so more customers = more money. Putting that aside though, if you have more kids then you can form more teams and make your teams more level and age appropriate. What could be better than that?

JulieP said:

I agree about this. Turning people away seems silly. Ultimately, this is a business so more customers = more money. Putting that aside though, if you have more kids then you can form more teams and make your teams more level and age appropriate. What could be better than that?

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More coaches needed, more practice times, more teams to transport to competitions, more crazy cheer parents.

CheerBank said:

More coaches needed, more practice times, more teams to transport to competitions, more crazy cheer parents.

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I am not saying that bigger is always better, but 25 more kids would likely bring only one new team to a small gym altogether- it would likely just fill out other teams. We tend to have smaller teams to start with. Our teams are generally 10-12 kids so we can keep them age and level appropriate, so 25 more kids wouldn't be a huge change for us- they would likely just fill out our mini 1, youth 1, etc.

Also, we don't take care of transportation so that's not an issue. Generally, we tend to send the crazy ones for the door pretty quickly so it's become a non-issue (knock on wood).

More frustrating is I find out today our coaches were told nothing would be done until after the meeting in Doral. When they saw the new age rules they called the USASF seeking explanation ont their decision and they have been told "I'll call you back". No one has called them back and one of them is the state rep!

The USASF needs to just come out and say that "yes you do have a voice but we aren't going to listen to it." This is blatant disregard for what customers (paying USASF members and gym owner) want. I have a feeling that this could get ugly for the USASF.... if it hasn't already begun.

USASF
:stupid:

idrive said:

More frustrating is I find out today our coaches were told nothing would be done until after the meeting in Doral. When they saw the new age rules they called the USASF seeking explanation ont their decision and they have been told "I'll call you back". No one has called them back and one of them is the state rep!

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Don't worry, Jim Chadwick said he was going to forward my e-mail to Steve Peterson, even though he was the first person I went to and he did nothing. Days later and still no reply from either of them. Les Stella is my next stop and if that doesn't work I will be e-mailing coaches who have teams in the division the issue is with. Maybe if they all bring it up to the USASF they can get some answers.

Sounds to me like they don't have time to respond to e-mails or phone calls.

ztaprincess said:

Don't worry, Jim Chadwick said he was going to forward my e-mail to Steve Peterson, even though he was the first person I went to and he did nothing. Days later and still no reply from either of them. Les Stella is my next stop and if that doesn't work I will be e-mailing coaches who have teams in the division the issue is with. Maybe if they all bring it up to the USASF they can get some answers.

Sounds to me like they don't have time to respond to e-mails or phone calls.

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I just emailed Les. Below is what I sent. Sorry it's kind of lengthy.

Les,

I am sure you have received plenty of emails, texts and phone calls regarding the new age rules so here is another one. I sent you an email a week or so ago in hopes it may make a difference in the decision that has been handed down....... and it appears it did not. I am speaking specifically on the IOC5 ages. This new rule has effectively shut my child out of Worlds for at least another year. I cannot understand how all of the USASF members pay thier annual fee so they can have a collective voice yet our voice appears to be falling on deaf ears or possibly the ears of people who frankly don't care what thier customers think. I am not saying that I am right but I cannot understand the USASFs decision on this and therefore my perception is the USASF has lost touch with its customers and the frustration continues to build and not just with myself. One thing I have learned in sales and marketing is that perception, right or wrong, often becomes reality and I don't think that is what the USASF wants or what they can afford. This new rule will probably lead my child in the direction of powertumbling or back to gymnastics and I am sure she will not be the only victim. I think I speak for several parents, athletes and coaches alike who would like to see or hear the reasons for this age rule. I therfore challenge the USASF to reasonably explain how an International division can have two sets of rules in regards to this new age rule. If it is the intent of the USASF to "maximize the number of participants benefiting from the positive life experiences of all star cheerleading and dance" this will not accomplish that mission.

Please don't dismiss this as one persons view. I pray that you and the rest of the USASF can restore this parent and childs faith in this sport. If not I fear this sport will splinter and we will lose all that we have gained to this point. I fear the USASF will cease to exist in the eyes of most.

A concerned fan and parent,

cheermommaRN said:

Also did anyone notice they dropped the Junior age cutoff from 15 to 14? or was it always 14? It was highlighted yellow so I assume it is new this season?

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Jrs age limit has always been 14 by cut off date.........

I didn't go through the whole thread so I apologize if this has already been answered but All Star Prep is just half year teams?

Deliberately turning people away so that you can compete in the "small gym" category?

Please know that our gym isn't deliberately turning people away. We only have a handful of athletes that have pushed us over the 75 maximum.. and like I mentioned in my original post, we will lose some through normal attrition as we do every year. This is the first time that we had more than 75 athletes show up at tryouts. I agree completely with the 2 divisions that you are proposing... especially since we are within a stones throw from your gym and have "lost" a few athletes to you as well.

ECEcheerfreak said:

I didn't go through the whole thread so I apologize if this has already been answered but All Star Prep is just half year teams?

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EPs get to determine what constitutes an All Star Prep team - it could be a half year team, or a team that practices only 2 hours a week (or whatever else the EP determines to be the criteria). The most important thing is that there are no crossovers allowed between All Star Prep teams and regular all star divisions.

joytomylifex said:

My tiny team was fully aware of winning and losing... As were the parents. The first time we beat a team it was a big deal for both me and the parents. It was a HUGE accomplishment for our small team. Although they knew they beat someone, they also knew they got beat by someone.
Thankfully, by the end of the season they looked great and ended up winning a couple of competitions (yes, against other teams!), but they knew the difference between being called first and last. And let me tell you, they didn't like being last. I think that was a big factor in them getting it together and getting to the point they were at when they finished the season. Plus, they were always the cutest team out there in my book.

Anyways, I think taking some of that pressure off of them at that age would help a lot. Does that tiny team reallllly need to be national champions? Or would they be just as excited to exhibition and get a participation trophy? They would be able to get on stage, show off, get comfortable with the basics, without having to be "losers" in the process.

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I totally agree with Tiny being exhibition! Make it fun...give them a trophy and let them look forward to what lies ahead! joytomylifex I totally agree with everything you have said about Tinys/Minis. I had a very young Mini team last year, most kids were new or just coming from Tinys. We had a great year, and I am looking forward to this year! There is a huge difference between a 6 year old and 8 year old...especially when they are new to the sport!

SarahS said:

Really? From the IASF rules (http://usasfrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IASF-Age-Grid-12-13A-Rev-5-17-12.pdf)

"The age of a competitor will be determined based on the date of birth falling during the "Year of the Competition." Example: A competitor turning 14 on December 31, 2013 will be eligible to compete at the 2013 Worlds in an International Open Level 5 Division.

ETA - I think the USASF age grid rules apply to only US teams or international teams wishing to compete in the "club" divisions.

ETA again (lol) - yep: "For non-U.S. teams choosing to compete in U.S. Club team divisions (i.e. Junior, Senior Coed, etc…), these teams must follow the U.S. Club restrictions listed below.
For non-U.S. teams competing in International divisions, please see the IASF AGE GRID for restrictions."

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December 31, 2013 is after the 2013 worlds......

CEAisstronger said:

December 31, 2013 is after the 2013 worlds......

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And Wednesday is after Tuesday. Your point is...?

SarahS said:

And Wednesday is after Tuesday. Your point is...?

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Oh nevermind