All-Star Competing With Under Age Athletes

[XtremeWpg]

So we all know that for IO6 and IOC6 USASF age grid says athletes must be 17 and older by August 31, 2011, right?

I know of a team that will be competing at a worlds bid event in Canada, and the coach is knowingly having more than one athlete who is currently 16 years old compete with the team. This coach has told the team not to worry, that they found a "rule" that allows athletes on IO and IOC 6 teams to be 17 as of December 31, 2012, so what they're doing is fine. The team is new and very young and aren't questioning this at all. It clearly states on the EPs website that they follow the USASF age grids (obviously since they're eligible to hand out bids).

My issues with this go far beyond the obvious. I am helping out a team that will also be competing in the same division at the same competition, so I have a small dog in this fight. I cannot "prove" that the team is using under age athletes, other than I've spoken with members of the team and they've told me it's going on.

What do you fierce boarders think I should do? Approach the coach directly? Contact the EP and let them know? I know the answer should be obvious, but we're in such a small cheerleading market and the teams here work so closely that I'm trying to think of a way to make this right, without rocking the boat too violently.

Any input would be so appreciated.

 

[retiredl5cheer]

This sure will bite them in the butt when they have to show birth certificates at Worlds. Karma.

 

[jordallli5]

So we all know that for IO6 and IOC6 USASF age grid says athletes must be 17 and older by August 31, 2011, right?

I know of a team that will be competing at a worlds bid event in Canada, and the coach is knowingly having more than one athlete who is currently 16 years old compete with the team. This coach has told the team not to worry, that they found a "rule" that allows athletes on IO and IOC 6 teams to be 17 as of December 31, 2012, so what they're doing is fine. The team is new and very young and aren't questioning this at all. It clearly states on the EPs website that they follow the USASF age grids (obviously since they're eligible to hand out bids).

My issues with this go far beyond the obvious. I am helping out a team that will also be competing in the same division at the same competition, so I have a small dog in this fight. I cannot "prove" that the team is using under age athletes, other than I've spoken with members of the team and they've told me it's going on.

What do you fierce boarders think I should do? Approach the coach directly? Contact the EP and let them know? I know the answer should be obvious, but we're in such a small cheerleading market and the teams here work so closely that I'm trying to think of a way to make this right, without rocking the boat too violently.

Any input would be so appreciated.

I could be COMPLETELY wrong but I thought I heard of a rule that if you're already on another team at the gym for example Senior 4, then it is legal, but am not quite sure about this situation. To me it sounds risky.

 

[XtremeWpg]

I could be COMPLETELY wrong but I thought I heard of a rule that if you're already on another team at the gym for example Senior 4, then it is legal, but am not quite sure about this situation. To me it sounds risky.

Well they're not a gym. Simply a IOC6 team, no other teams associated, so even if that was a rule, it certainly wouldn't apply to them

 

[jordallli5]

Well they're not a gym. Simply a IOC6 team, no other teams associated, so even if that was a rule, it certainly wouldn't apply to them

Oh okay, thanks for the clarification! (:

 

[Mcfierceburger]

Ah just let it go, and kick their butt the old school way by WINNING!!

 

[Hi-Phlyer21]

That is actually a Worlds specific rule.

All International Open teams follow the ICU age guidelines i think it's called the "year of the competition" rule?? In any case, if you will be turning the legal age for said division during the year of the competition, you can compete with that team AT WORLDS.
For example you said this is a Level 6 International Open Co-ed. The minimum USASF age requirement is 17. however is said athletes will be 17 before December 31st 2012 (2012 being the year of the competition) then they are eligible to compete at the 2012 World Championships. However i do believe that this rule only applies to worlds. In other words, and i may be wrong, this International team still has to follow USASF age guidelines at other competitions where they hope to qualify for a bid.
i will look for the exact ruling in a minute...
Sooo if they already have a bid, i suppose it's fine they are allowed to use said "underage" athletes at Worlds provided that they follow all the rules and regulations for substitutions and alternates (waivers, releases, etc.). If not they might want to change their strategy. because they can not be awarded a bid with a team that does not meet the proper age requirements.
It sounds as though this team does not have a bid yet. If that is the case then it is not legal at this competition and they should not receive a bid regardless of scoring or placement.
Whether or not you are going to report them to the proper authorities or let it come out on it's own is up to you.

 

[Hi-Phlyer21]

Okay i found the rule the wording here makes it unclear to me if this only applies to U.S teams in terms of following USASF age guidelines at the event at which one qualifies for a bid, but here it is anyway:


Rules Exclusive to Worlds

International Divisions – Levels 5 & 6
Competitor’s Age – “Year of the Competition”
ALL International Open Divisions (Levels 5 & 6) will follow the ICU Cheerleading World Championships age requirement (known as the “International Standard”) for determining the required age of a competitor. This standard is followed in most sports around the globe. The age of a competitor will be determined based on the date of birth falling during the “year of the competition.” Example: A competitor who turns 14 up until December 31, 2012 will be eligible to compete at the 2012 Worlds in an International Open Level 5 Division.
NOTE: The USASF/IASF recognizes that teams and event producers from the U.S.A. must follow the current 2011-12 USASF Age Grid and Guidelines at all Worlds Bid Qualifiers. However teams from the U.S.A. receiving Cheerleading Worlds bids and attending the 2012 Cheerleading Worlds may use substitution/alternate athletes to form a team that matches the new guidelines listed above for the 2012 Cheerleading Worlds for these select divisions. Of course, those athletes would have to follow the same eligibility, substitution and alternate guidelines for The Worlds, including the guidelines requiring a Release Waiver. Again these new guidelines only impact those teams competing in the 2012 Cheerleading Worlds in the all International Open Levels 5 & 6 divisions.

 

[XtremeWpg]

Okay i found the rule the wording here makes it unclear to me if this only applies to U.S teams in terms of following USASF age guidelines at the event at which one qualifies for a bid, but here it is anyway:


Rules Exclusive to Worlds

International Divisions – Levels 5 & 6
Competitor’s Age – “Year of the Competition”
ALL International Open Divisions (Levels 5 & 6) will follow the ICU Cheerleading World Championships age requirement (known as the “International Standard”) for determining the required age of a competitor. This standard is followed in most sports around the globe. The age of a competitor will be determined based on the date of birth falling during the “year of the competition.” Example: A competitor who turns 14 up until December 31, 2012 will be eligible to compete at the 2012 Worlds in an International Open Level 5 Division.
NOTE: The USASF/IASF recognizes that teams and event producers from the U.S.A. must follow the current 2011-12 USASF Age Grid and Guidelines at all Worlds Bid Qualifiers. However teams from the U.S.A. receiving Cheerleading Worlds bids and attending the 2012 Cheerleading Worlds may use substitution/alternate athletes to form a team that matches the new guidelines listed above for the 2012 Cheerleading Worlds for these select divisions. Of course, those athletes would have to follow the same eligibility, substitution and alternate guidelines for The Worlds, including the guidelines requiring a Release Waiver. Again these new guidelines only impact those teams competing in the 2012 Cheerleading Worlds in the all International Open Levels 5 & 6 divisions.

They certainly do not have a bid.
Can you provide the link for this? I'd like to see your source. The event specifically says that they follow the USASF age grid and rules.

 

[Hi-Phlyer21]

They certainly do not have a bid.
Can you provide the link for this? I'd like to see your source. The event specifically says that they follow the USASF age grid and rules.

Rules Exclusive to Worlds | USASF Rules Site (10-28-11)

 

[kristenthegreat]

I believe the whole point of this was so that teams who double compete (most of their athletes from their all-star team are on their worlds teams) from countries outside the US could be covered in case of alternates (from ICU to Worlds). Personally, I just find it more confusing and weird.

 

[XtremeWpg]

I believe the whole point of this was so that teams who double compete (most of their athletes from their all-star team are on their worlds teams) from countries outside the US could be covered in case of alternates (from ICU to Worlds). Personally, I just find it more confusing and weird.

So this would only apply if say Team Random Country competed at ICU Worlds, then had most of their athletes compete on Random Country Elite All Stars at USASF Worlds?

 

[Hi-Phlyer21]

All substitutes have to meet the requirements as the original team that was awarded a bid. however since International teams have the ruling specific to Worlds. i don't think it applies to the provided that they abide by the "year of the competition rule" at the qualifying event it makes no difference USASF guideline MUST be followed. the year of the competition rule only applies when you get to worlds. In other words, while it may have come about as a means to appease teams competing ICU and USASF, but ALL teams in the International divisions can take advantage of this rule should they choose to. however those athletes must be on their list of up to 10 substitutes. 3 of which may be listed as alternates. so if they have these underage athletes on the roster as substitutes or alternates, but will not be performing with them at the event where they hope to receive a bid, then they are perfectly within their rights to do so and then put them on after the award to compete at worlds. Said substitutes must be listed on the Worlds roster as "alternate/substitute" or basically saying that "this person was on our list of substitutes/alternates but was not 'on the floor' with the team that was awarded the bid". on the worlds roster all members of a team are listed as an original member, alternate, or substitue.
This would show that the team followed USASF guidelines for receiving a bid at the event where they qualified. Basically you can't compete and win a bid with underage participants UNLESS: 1) the "underage participants are on the roster as alternates/substitutes 2) said athlete was not "on the floor with the team that was awarded the bid at the event where the bid was received 3) all procedures regarding releases waivers etc. have been followed if necessary. IF i understand correctly...
Basically they can only use these underage athletes if they are rostered as alternates or substitutes and will not be performing at the bid qualifying event.

 

[Hi-Phlyer21]

RulesGuy ??

 

[ztaprincess]

I think the rule was made because in other countries the age grid is different. They have tried to make it easier for the ICU teams to go and compete at worlds the same weekend without having to change their athletes and routines (the number of males on IOC changing).

The way I read the rule is if this team is going to a bid event that follows USASF guidelines then they cannot compete at that competition with 16 year olds on that team. Of course this could be different for those outside of the US, but that is how I understand it.

Ah just let it go, and kick their butt the old school way by WINNING!!

If they are indeed not following the rules then it shouldn't be ignored. The rules are there for a reason and should be followed by everyone.