USASF Regional Meetings
Jim Chadwick sent the following email to event producers on June 17th:
Dear USASF Event Producer Member,
Thank you for being a member of the USASF. We deeply appreciate your participation and support. Importantly, we want to invite you to attend any of our 6 summer regional meetings. The meeting schedule is listed below. To register, please contact your USASF Regional Director or go on-line <USASF.NET> to register and view the agenda.
June 21 – Charlotte, NC.
July 13 – White Plains, NY.
August 2 – Cincinnati, OH.
August 9 – Dallas, TX.
August 16 – Orlando, FL.
September 15 – Anaheim, CA.
Here is a quick update of the key actions underway at this time.
Worlds, 2009 – While many have told us the 2008 Worlds was the most successful yet, we are carefully gathering input from everyone in an effort to make the Worlds, 2009 even more successful. Key areas of attention are streamlining the registration paperwork, better utilization of the venues, improved control of the number of teams in specific divisions, especially in finals, more convenient transportation between venues, and better customer service .
As impressive as it was to host 30 countries with teams at the Worlds in 2008, we expect a dramatic increase to about 50 in 2009 with the International Cheer Union (ICU) competition for national teams occurring the Friday (April 24) before the Worlds (April 25-26), all at Disney in Orlando. Think about it, many Olympic sports do not have teams from 50 countries competing. We have come a long way and I believe this is just the beginning of the history we are making together.
Rules – We are planning on moving to an every other year rules cycle. The rules updates we make this year and announce in March 2009 would be for the 2010-11 year. This means everyone will have plenty of time to make any necessary adjustments. Of course, we will reserve the right to make rules changes whenever necessary to address urgent safety or other issues but these should be the exception.
Financials – We expect the USASF to be able to make a sizable repayment on Varsity’s start up loan in 2008 and to begin to provide significant scholarships to member athletes in 2009 as well as to continue to repay the loan. From losing over $500,000 in 2005 to only losing about $140,000 in 2007 then actually being in the black in 2008 is a milestone in the history of the USASF and a testament to what we all can do together when we put our minds to it. Once the audit is complete, we will post the financials on the website.
Athlete Credentialing – Athletes will no longer need to be credentialed to compete at the Worlds. Membership will be required but athlete credentialing will be optional. We are working with our insurance underwriters to make sure we will be able to continue to offer member athletes and credentialed member coaches the $1,000,000 catastrophic injury insurance.
Enhanced website – We are hoping to introduce new functionality to the enhanced <IASFWorlds.org> website to strengthen your event visibility plus offer a new credentialing educational and testing program on-line in September to make it more convenient for members to become credentialed and for prospective members to join.
Best regards,
Jim Chadwick
Cheerleading Worlds Champions
Congratulations to the 2008 Cheerleading Worlds Champions.
Club Teams:
- Top Gun Large Coed
- Spirit of Texas Small Coed
- World Cup Large Senior
- Stingrays Small Senior
International:
- Stingrays Coed 6
- PACE Phoenix All Girl 6
- Gym Tyme Coed 5
- South Elite All Girl 5
- Cheer Athletics Small Coed
- Cheer Athletics Small All Girl
- University Cheer Junior Coed
- World Cup Junior
USASF/IASF 2008-09 Age Grid
The USASF sent the following email concerning the 2008-09 Age and Division Grid on Monday:
Dear USASF/IASF Member:
After several months of input from a wide variety of sources, I am pleased to forward you the USASF/IASF Age Grid for the 2008-09 season. There are two copies attached, one with highlights of the changes that have been made from the 2007-08 document and the other a “clean” version with no comparisons shown.
I feel it is important that you know the procedures that were implemented in the development of this document:
- Calls for rule/age grid updates were made in the Fall, and were then voted upon by the NACCC in early January. Although event producers were encouraged to submit their recommendations, their voices are most clearly heard through several committees of the USASF/IASF.
- Results from the NACCC meeting were forwarded to the USASF/IASF Rules Committee.
- The Rules Committee spent a great deal of time throughout the past 2 1/2 months (at the height of the busy competition season I might add), reviewing the recommendations of the NACCC. Some issues had a clear mandate from the NACCC, others did not. The Rules Committee made recommendations which were then forwarded to the National Advisory Board (NAB) and the Sanctioning Committee of the USASF/IASF for their review and input.
- The final approval came from the Board of the USASF/IASF
Please note a couple of key items on the grid. First, “small gym” categories and events have been further defined. These may be run by any USASF/IASF event producer in any geographical location within the parameters established.
For “splitting” divisions, three is now the number of teams that must remain in each division that was split from a larger division. In some instances divisions must be “combined” if there are not at least two teams in a particular division.
The grid has been re-formatted to make it easier (hopefully) to follow the “combinations” and “splits” of divisions. You are reminded that as a member event producer, you must follow the mandates for “combining” and “splitting” divisions as stated in this document. The only choices that are given to event producers are statements that contain the word “may” in them. (i.e. “For divisions that are designated ‘Small’ and ‘Large,” event producers may further subdivide…). Any statement that contains a “will” statement in it must be followed by the event producer as written.
The age grid was posted on the USASF/IASF website late last week, as many programs are gearing up for try-outs and this information was critical for this process.
The Level Rules document for 2008-09 will be posted toward the end of this week. The USASF/IASF Rules Committee has been working diligently to review the level rules for presentation, clarity and ease of interpretation. I felt that no changes would be made to these which would directly impact a gym program’s try-out process, thus we are spending some additional time “word smithing” this document prior to its release.
Finally, I would like to commend the large body of coaches, event producers and industry experts who have given many hours of their time during some of the busiest months of the season to be part of the rules review process.
Ultimately, I feel very good about the overall direction that we provided for the rules process and the integrity that we maintained in allowing feedback and many eyes to review proposed items. Given the multiple agendas, various program sizes and needs, national and international issues and the varied opinions on some controversial topics, I feel that in the end we should proud of what we have accomplished. Will everyone support every decision that has been made? Unfortunately, no. However, I feel that every decision that was made was vetted thoroughly and that multiple points of view were taken into account.
Thank you for your continued support of the USASF/IASF.
Sincerely,
Mike Burgess — Rules Committee ChairUSASF 2008-09 Age Grid - Highlighted & USASF 2008-09 Age Grid
Michael Burgess
United Spirit Association
President
New IASF Website
The IASF has a new website at IASFWorlds.org.
USASF on the Varsity International Championship
Steve Peterson sent the following email to USASF Event Producers on January 31st in response to Mike Martinez’ email sent on January 30th:
IASF USASF Member Event Producers,
Following the announcement of Varsity Brands’ International All Levels Championship, the IASF USASF contacted Varsity to remind them of a recommendation approved by the IASF USASF Board of Directors in September 2006 that states:No member of the USASF - IASF may characterize any competition they conduct, or participate in, as a “Worlds” or “World Championship”.
The IASF USASF had asked Varsity for a clarification of their press release. After a very willing and quick response, the clarification, from Mike Martinez on behalf of Varsity, was shared with the IASF USASF Board of Directors. The Board recommended the clarification be shared with all IASF USASF member event producers. Please read below.
Yesterday, during the IASF USASF Board of Directors conference call, John Newby on behalf of Varsity Brands offered to NOT include any divisions offered at the IASF USASF Worlds at their International All Levels Championship on the condition that other IASF - USASF members do likewise. Therefore, a proposal was made and approved by the Board.
APPROVED PROPOSAL:
No IASF - USASF member may conduct or participate in a multi-brand/event producer end of season
championship that includes divisions offered at the IASF - USASF Worlds.Please feel free to call me or Jim Chadwick if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Steve Peterson
VP - USASF Events & Corporate Alliances
Mike Martinez’ email:
Dear Jim,
You have requested that I further explain the press release announcing the International All Levels Championship.As I informed you, I headed up the marketing effort to announce the project. The announcement was formatted with the intent to fully describe to potential customers (the gyms) that this championship would be structured so that teams would qualify from events conducted by a wide array of companies across the country (similar to the method used by USASF Worlds), and that international teams could also be included. In other words, we were simply trying to describe an idea about scope and the selection process that gyms would be able to understand.
We in no way intended to confuse the market about this event being in any way connected to the Worlds. In fact, we specifically stated in the release that this event could compliment the USASF’s event, thereby specifically pointing out that this is indeed totally separate and distinct from the USASF.
Further, please note that the name “Worlds” was not, and will not, be in any way part of the title or subtitle, tagline, etc of the International All Levels Championship. Again, the headline was merely meant as a description of the type of structure to be used.
Regarding the scholarship program, as you are aware the scholarship program was very publicly proposed at the NACCC meeting (an official USASF event) in Atlanta, and our intention was to clearly state that we were supporting this proposed program to benefit the athletes who comprise the sport.
I sincerely regret if there was any misunderstanding in the situation. As always, we remain committed to the USASF, its ideals and its official World Championship.
Sincerely,
Mike Martinez, President
Athletic Championships
NACCC Rules Information
The USASF sent the email below on Monday, November 19th:
Dear USASF/IASF Member Event Producer:
The USASF/IASF Rules Committee and the leadership of the NACCC, in addition to the USASF/IASFBoard, have been working hard to establish a process for rules/levels review and revision for 2008-09 that will be organized, inclusive and responsive to the needs of both all-star programs and event producers.
As a result, the attached process/dates have been developed to encourage as much participation as possible from member coaches and event producers. Please review these and take note of the following:
– This process has been posted on the USASF/IASF website since the beginning of November.
– The current list of proposed voting issues is listed on the website at www.usasf.net.
– The deadline for submitting suggested rules/level changes has been extended to Tuesday, November 27th.
– Submissions must be made in writing and sent to Les Stella at the USASF/IASF office.
Submissions and the ultimate voting on these that will take place in early January by coaches are critical to the continued success of the all-star activity and the standardization that the USASF/IASF and its members have strived to achieve over the past several years. Although event producers may not vote directly at the meeting in early January, I encourage your active participation in this important process by making suggestions for rules/levels revisions and getting this input on the ballot.
Sincerely,
Michael Burgess
USASF/IASF Rules Chair
The following information was attached to the email:
Nov 1-Proposed level/rule changes to date are posted on the USASF website and sent out to all USASF member coaches.
Nov 15 -Deadline for suggestions of additional level/rule changes. These must be submitted in writing to Les Stella at (email omitted). JUST EXTENDED TO NOV 27, 2007.
December 1 - Final slate of level/rule changes to be voted on during Jan meeting is posted on the USASSF/IASF website and sent out to all USASF/IASF member coaches. A call for anyone who would like to speak on the webcast to any particular issue on the slate will be presented. An opportunity to write position papers will also be made.
Dec 15 - Position papers on any item on the slate for Jan meeting are due to Les Stella. These papers are for those who would like their voice to be heard, but cannot be present at the Jan meeting.
Dec 22 - Position papers posted on the USASF/IASF website. Agenda with speakers for Jan meeting set.
Jan 3 and 4 - At the Jan meeting, all those who previously asked to have time to speak on an item on the slate for voting will be permitted to speak. There will be a time limit given to each speaker. This time limit will be based upon the total number of people who have signed up to speak. Speakers will be limited to speaking only on the rule/issue that they are specifically addressing. Moderator to monitor this.
There is no guarantee that every individual who wishes to speak will have an opportunity to do so. Should there be multiple speakers addressing the same issue, there may be a limit placed on the number of people permitted to speak at the NACCC meeting (written comments on a topic will be welcomed).
These in person speeches will be webcast for all to view who cannot be present at the NACCC meeting.
Jan 14 - Votes will be tallied and final recommendations made to the USASF/IASF Rules Committee by the NACCC. These recommendations will be reviewed by the USASF Rules Committee which will in turn make a recommendation, Feb 1st, to the USASF Board as to whether to accept the proposed rules of the NACCC as written or not.
- If the rules are accepted as written, then the process ends.
- IF the rules are not accepted by the USASF Rules Committee as written, then the rules will be sent to a Joint Committee of the USASF and NACCC for revision. This joint committee will be comprised of 3 members of the USASF and 3 members from the NACCC. It is our hope that given the representation on both committees from the start, that the rules will not need to be forwarded to a Joint Commission (especially when we have a pseudo-joint commission all along with representation from each organization on each other’s committee).
- The joint Rules Committee will revise the rules and make a recommendation to the USASF Board before final approval.
Feb 1 - USASF /IASF Rules Committee makes final recommendations to the USASF/IASF Board. Ultimately, the USASF Board may only approve or disapprove rules as recommended by the USASF Rules Committee (per the recommendation from the NACCC) or by the Joint Rules Committee. The goal is for the USASF Board to make its final decision for 2008-2009 rules/levels no later than the end of Feb 2008.
March 1 - Approved 2008-2009 levels/rules/divisions announced.
NACCC Rules Meeting Update
This email was sent on Friday, November 16th concerning the upcoming NACCC Rules Meeting:
Dear USASF/IASF Member Coach:
The leadership of the NACCC and the USASF/IASF Rules Committee, in addition to the USASF/IASFBoard, have been working hard to establish a process for rules/levels review and revision for 2008-09 that will be organized, inclusive and responsive to the needs of both all-star programs and event producers.
As a result, the attached process/dates have been developed to encourage as much participation as possible from member coaches. Please review these and take note of the following:
– This process has been posted on the USASF/IASF website since the beginning of November.
– The current list of proposed voting issues is listed on the website at www.usasf.net
– The deadline for submitting suggested rules/level changes has been extended to Tuesday, November 27th.
– Submissions must be made in writing and sent to Les Stella at the USASF/IASF office.
Submissions and the ultimate voting on these that will take place in early January by coaches are critical to the continued success of the all-star activity and the standardization that the USASF/IASF and its members have strived to achieve over the past several years. I encourage your active participation in this important process.
USASF Rules Change
The USASF has handed down the following changes for 2008.
- We will no longer allow the pass down of At Large (unpaid) cheer bids.
- All teams must go through prelims to get to finals and teams will be seeded in finals based on prelim results with the highest scoring teams going last.
- For the international category only: Open Level 6 all girl and coed divisions will be added, only the top 3 teams per country will go from prelims to finals, the team size limit will be 24, and coed teams will be limited to 12 males. There is one exception in which the International Junior Divisions will be allowed 36 team members for the 2008 Worlds but will be limited to 24 beginning in 2009.
Domestically, the most voiced complaint was that too many teams were at the Worlds that should not have been there. This was mainly the result of At Large bids being passed down. There has been a truly massive effort to listen to everyone and to make the appropriate changes. You will note that most of the changes are in the International Division and are the result of input from international partners through the IASF World Coaches Conference, the IASF Rules Committee, the World Advisory Board, and the International Competition Committee.
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