- Dec 15, 2009
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This perhaps isn't an issue for teams in the USA who have talent left right an centre, but when a team in say england has to follow the rules of being between 12-18 all season, gets a bid to worlds and then all athletes have to be 17+ to compete in the international division, that basically means only the 17 & 18 year olds of the team can go..problem? I think so
I understand that it can work against true international teams, but for years the USASF has changed things to help out those teams (less focus on tumbling, only 3 make it to finals, the number of boys allowed on the mat) but they have ran into so many issues with minors and adults over even the last year that something needed to be done. It doesn't fix the problem, but it givesn less of a chance of it happening now that 14 year olds aren't having late practices with 24 year olds.
I don't know what they will do with the teams overseas who's season runs differently and next season is already starting or getting ready to start. They still have the chance to compete against teams in the senior division. It may not be easy but it can be done.