- Dec 14, 2009
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Whether we admit it or not, accept it or not there are at least two to three divisions (or types) of gyms in this country. We many not like to name them(to many calling a gym mega or small has become more of a way to insult or attack them than to positively identify them)and it may offend our sense of fair play, equal chance, what we want cheer to be where everyone has a shot to win, or even David vs Goliath type analogies but they are there. These differences are not always because certain gyms have way better coaching staffs than others or are more passionate than others. Vision, mission, demographics, disposable income, and much more play into the abilities to consistently put together a program that not just get there but can contend at Worlds year after year after year.
IIRC when Small Coed was introduced as a Division some of the same complaints were issued as are being posted n this thread. Small gym or gyms that couldn't get 12 males to compete were told to suck it up buttercup and deal with it, pretty much. That it would be less than a real title. That the amount of boys did not matter if you could read a scoresheet, if you would push them harder. That was when it came out. Now the top of the division is pretty much run by the mega gyms as far as Worlds finals results goes. But I believe it is also in the small coed and small sr that you tend to see the breakthroughs of the smaller/lesser known/division 2 type gyms. Because their internal #'s and local demographics tend to fit nicely into those two divisions. It is easier to field a competitive team in those divisions if you are looking at Worlds.
To me a D1/D2 for Worlds only split is only publicly acknowledging and addressing in our industry what has been privately admitted for years by numerous coaches, parents, judges and EP's. There are major differences between a CEA, CA, WC, F5, Top Gun, Cali and my program for example. We will never, ever have the resources or the abilities to sub out,crossover, replace injured or non performing Worlds team members like they could. That does not make us a bad gym! The demographics of our region don't support it. School cheer being a sport takes away many of the athletes that could be critical to having a strong level 5 program. We could never recruit people around the country to move to our region and join our team as many of the larger programs are able to do. To expect gyms like ours to be able to compete and contend with gyms that are able to do these things on a long term basis are IMO short sighted. And this takes nothing away from those gyms either. They are amazing in their own right and deserve the acclaim they get. We like many smaller, lesser known gyms are just different than they are and don't feel it is an equal and fair comparison on the floor, especially in the Level 5 division.
IIRC when Small Coed was introduced as a Division some of the same complaints were issued as are being posted n this thread. Small gym or gyms that couldn't get 12 males to compete were told to suck it up buttercup and deal with it, pretty much. That it would be less than a real title. That the amount of boys did not matter if you could read a scoresheet, if you would push them harder. That was when it came out. Now the top of the division is pretty much run by the mega gyms as far as Worlds finals results goes. But I believe it is also in the small coed and small sr that you tend to see the breakthroughs of the smaller/lesser known/division 2 type gyms. Because their internal #'s and local demographics tend to fit nicely into those two divisions. It is easier to field a competitive team in those divisions if you are looking at Worlds.
To me a D1/D2 for Worlds only split is only publicly acknowledging and addressing in our industry what has been privately admitted for years by numerous coaches, parents, judges and EP's. There are major differences between a CEA, CA, WC, F5, Top Gun, Cali and my program for example. We will never, ever have the resources or the abilities to sub out,crossover, replace injured or non performing Worlds team members like they could. That does not make us a bad gym! The demographics of our region don't support it. School cheer being a sport takes away many of the athletes that could be critical to having a strong level 5 program. We could never recruit people around the country to move to our region and join our team as many of the larger programs are able to do. To expect gyms like ours to be able to compete and contend with gyms that are able to do these things on a long term basis are IMO short sighted. And this takes nothing away from those gyms either. They are amazing in their own right and deserve the acclaim they get. We like many smaller, lesser known gyms are just different than they are and don't feel it is an equal and fair comparison on the floor, especially in the Level 5 division.