Most division expansion and changes to the major comps (aka ones held at Disney) are to encourage more attendance. Varsity is on the hook with disney to increase attendance at all events over the next 17 years..*sighhhh* we all seem to be forgetting that USASF wants to make money. IASF wants to make money. Vendors & Gyms want to make money. Disney wants to make money. Everyone wants an extra buck in their pockets.
Adding more divisions & changing existing rules (i.e. full length uniform tops) to "worlds" (if we can/should even call it that) does two things:
If you break it down and 'look where your money is going' NO KIDDING it is of the best interest for the governing bodies to offer these divisions. They cash in on it. Within driving distance from where I live - I know of over 6 NT teams that have sprung up overnight - and they are actively advertising "NEW WORLDS TEAM" - don't fool ourselves. Gyms are cashing in too - whether they agree or not. The demand is there and it is a smart business decision.
- Bring more kids into the sport (i.e. Suzy who has joint injuries and cannot tumble. or Jenny who's parents/religion/personal beliefs have kept her from joining the sport because of modesty reasons)
- Makes everybody more money. How much does it cost to "go to worlds"? I'm sure someone has done the math on here before. Factors to consider: Paying for training on a 'worlds team', Paying for everyday practice wear, paying entry fees for [multiple] bid competitions., paying to travel to [multiple] bid competitions, paying hotels & airfare, paying for "xyz competition practice wear", and then actually paying for worlds (park hoppers, hotel, food, tickets, souvenirs, more practice clothes...) like, OMG the list could go on, and on.