There has been much confusion, discussion and speculation about this. I contacted my state USASF representative to find out what EXACTLY is being done and she put a call in to Tegan Croninger (Formally Reeves) at the USASF who, come to find out, is handling these cases. I was told she is already working on a few cases involving gym hopping athletes. I will best describe what I was told in this phoen call....
REMEMBER: This is ONLY for level 5 Worlds teams (at least this year)
IF YOU ARE AN ATHLETE: If you are registered to Gym A and leave to go to Gym B AFTER you have had your FIRST COMPETITION with Gym A - You NEED TO GET RELEASED. This makes you an illegal athlete to COMPETE AT WORLDS (not to be confused about competing at events, however, using an illegal athlete could forfeight your bid or placement at the event, if later caught). If you are an illegal athlete, you need to contact Tegan at the USASF (I looked on the site and couldnt find her email address, but I am sure ACEDAD or someone has it and can post it below) to get a RELEASE FORM.
IF YOU ARE A COACH OR OWNER OF GYM A: If you had an athlete leave your level 5 worlds bound team after your first competition and they are competing at Gym B on their level 5 worlds bound team - Contact Tegan at the USASF to let her know that Gym B has an "illegal" athlete. You will need proof of this: Video, Registration forms, Rosters from competitions, etc. Jam brands has an electronic data base (as do other companies) that will allow proof of who was rostered at a competition - so that can help make the "proof" easy to get a hold of.
IF YOU ARE A COACH OR OWNER OF GYM B: If you have had any athletes join your level 5 team later in the season - Please research to make sure they are not "illegal" and perhaps call the old gym and work something out. Also - Make sure the athlete knows about this rule and is in good standings with their old gym financially. I dont see gyms not releasing athletes unless there is a financial issue, etc. Be Smart about checking your athletes you may have gained midseason.
CONSEQUENCES: Competing with an illegal athlete could forfeight your title and placement at an event - and could even make you lose your bid (if you used the illegal athlete to help attain that bid). I didnt get into further discussion - but it sounds like using an illegal athlete at worlds could forfeight your placement there as well!
COACHES AND OWNERS: BE PROACTIVE IN CHECKING INTO YOUR ATHLETES!!!
ATHLETES READING THIS: If your coaches dont read the Fierceboard, or know about this - Please direct them to the link - ESPECIALLY if you have had any athletes join midseason that may have came from another program - Even if they just moved to your city!!!!
I hope this helps clear up the situation with how the situations are being handled and who to contact!!! Good luck to everyone - And I hope there are no coaches refusing athelets to be released out of spite. In my opinion, the only reason an athlete shouldnt be released is due to unpaid finances or quitting in an immature way (Again, just my opinion).
REMEMBER: This is ONLY for level 5 Worlds teams (at least this year)
IF YOU ARE AN ATHLETE: If you are registered to Gym A and leave to go to Gym B AFTER you have had your FIRST COMPETITION with Gym A - You NEED TO GET RELEASED. This makes you an illegal athlete to COMPETE AT WORLDS (not to be confused about competing at events, however, using an illegal athlete could forfeight your bid or placement at the event, if later caught). If you are an illegal athlete, you need to contact Tegan at the USASF (I looked on the site and couldnt find her email address, but I am sure ACEDAD or someone has it and can post it below) to get a RELEASE FORM.
IF YOU ARE A COACH OR OWNER OF GYM A: If you had an athlete leave your level 5 worlds bound team after your first competition and they are competing at Gym B on their level 5 worlds bound team - Contact Tegan at the USASF to let her know that Gym B has an "illegal" athlete. You will need proof of this: Video, Registration forms, Rosters from competitions, etc. Jam brands has an electronic data base (as do other companies) that will allow proof of who was rostered at a competition - so that can help make the "proof" easy to get a hold of.
IF YOU ARE A COACH OR OWNER OF GYM B: If you have had any athletes join your level 5 team later in the season - Please research to make sure they are not "illegal" and perhaps call the old gym and work something out. Also - Make sure the athlete knows about this rule and is in good standings with their old gym financially. I dont see gyms not releasing athletes unless there is a financial issue, etc. Be Smart about checking your athletes you may have gained midseason.
CONSEQUENCES: Competing with an illegal athlete could forfeight your title and placement at an event - and could even make you lose your bid (if you used the illegal athlete to help attain that bid). I didnt get into further discussion - but it sounds like using an illegal athlete at worlds could forfeight your placement there as well!
COACHES AND OWNERS: BE PROACTIVE IN CHECKING INTO YOUR ATHLETES!!!
ATHLETES READING THIS: If your coaches dont read the Fierceboard, or know about this - Please direct them to the link - ESPECIALLY if you have had any athletes join midseason that may have came from another program - Even if they just moved to your city!!!!
I hope this helps clear up the situation with how the situations are being handled and who to contact!!! Good luck to everyone - And I hope there are no coaches refusing athelets to be released out of spite. In my opinion, the only reason an athlete shouldnt be released is due to unpaid finances or quitting in an immature way (Again, just my opinion).
