What are your thoughts on the new Junior Worlds decision from the USASF? Let us hear your thoughts…
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Posted on USASF website on June 11, 2009:
“The USASF Board of Directors met today to discuss the issues around this contentious topic. Given that some countries have already awarded bids for the 2010 Cheerleading Worlds event and that the announcement of divisions was made public, it seemed most logical to look at a compromise that would restrict the U.S. involvement in Junior divisions while still making the division available for other countries.
Ultimately, the Board has agreed upon the following parameters for awarding 2010 Cheerleading Worlds bids specifically to U.S. Junior Level 5 teams:
1. US Tier 1 and 2 Companies WILL NOT be permitted to award “any” of their allocated 2010 Cheerleading Worlds Bids to “any” Junior Level 5 teams.
2. Any U.S. Junior Level 5 team that would like to receive a 2010 Cheerleading Worlds bid to compete in either the International Junior or International Junior Coed Division may still do so, but only by video submission. They will have to submit a video of their routine by January 15, 2010.
3. The USASF Selection Committee will select a Worlds caliber judging panel to select the top 3 U.S. teams in each of the International Junior Divisions to representthe U.S. at the 2010 Cheerleading Worlds. These teams will be awarded At LargeBids on or before February 1, 2010.
4. All additional video qualification details will be written in The 2010 Cheerleading Worlds General Information posted on the usasf.net website in early July. After weighing out all of the pros and cons, the USASF Board of Directors feels that this new selection process for awarding At Large bids to the U.S. Junior teams is the best compromise because:
1. U.S. event producers will not offer Juniors Worlds Bids… which, many do not want to do anyway!
WHY?
a. The high costs associated with it for young athletes followed by the effect they have experienced from some parents not wanting to keep their kids in the gyms after spending so much money going to events to earn a bid and attending Worlds.
b. There will be less of a burn out effect and the younger kids will stick around because they will have something to look forward to on a Senior team.
c. Some feel the Worlds is an unhealthy environment with the younger cheer teams mixed with the senior aged and young adult athletes.
2. There would be a maximum of 6 U.S. Junior teams at Worlds versus the 42 we had this year. This will have a very positive financial impact for many those teams who have traveled to Worlds Bid qualifiers and to the Worlds.
3. Gyms that want to send a Junior team to Worlds have the choice to compete by video entry and not feel forced to go to Worlds after they receive a Worlds bid at a U.S. qualifying event.
4. There will be an opportunity for U.S. Junior Teams at Worlds for the other countries to compete against, which is what the International teams “really” want.”
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