All-Star Covid-19 / Varsity Response

[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

Okay so this season, I assumed that they'd run all the comps like they did UCA 2020:

One and done.

No spectators.

Limited hotel stays because comp is one day.

For those who have schedules, is this not the case?

Are comps still listed as 2 days per usual?

 

[CheerVA]

Okay so this season, I assumed that they'd run all the comps like they did UCA 2020:

One and done.

No spectators.

Limited hotel stays because comp is one day.

For those who have schedules, is this not the case?

Are comps still listed as 2 days per usual?

We just booked Battle of the Capitol in DC. Still required a 2 night stay..

 

[CLynn]

Okay so this season, I assumed that they'd run all the comps like they did UCA 2020:

One and done.

No spectators.

Limited hotel stays because comp is one day.

For those who have schedules, is this not the case?

Are comps still listed as 2 days per usual?

Yes! 2 day comps are still 2 day comps and if you are traveling from another state you often leave the day before. To me, that is a lot of travel and risk for a UCA type event (as you outlined above).

So interesting. I’m in NJ also and have a full schedule and this week booked hotels for Jan comps. All with the understanding that we have no insight into the future and things may change. I am interested how these comps will work with all the capacity issues.

I totally agree we need to be flexible, 100%. That said, imo, you don't need insight to the future to know our current situation. These large events and convention centers are not even open right now and with recent events I don't see them opening any time soon. All other events at these convention centers seem to be canceled or dramatically altered yet cheer still can happen? I don't know if it is a lack of honesty, an optimistic outlook or what that prevents them from declaring many of these all virtual already.

 

[Cheermom1979]

Yes! 2 day comps are still 2 day comps and if you are traveling from another state you often leave the day before. To me, that is a lot of travel and risk for a UCA type event (as you outlined above).


I totally agree we need to be flexible, 100%. That said, imo, you don't need insight to the future to know our current situation. These large events and convention centers are not even open right now and with recent events I don't see them opening any time soon. All other events at these convention centers seem to be canceled or dramatically altered yet cheer still can happen? I don't know if it is a lack of honesty, an optimistic outlook or what that prevents them from declaring many of these all virtual already.

I think it is maybe both- Varsity seems to be a company that can’t make rational decisions. But I am glad all my hotels are 100% refundable as are my comp fees- if everything gets canceled I will have a nice credit to start off next season!!

 

[5monkeysjumping]

I just saw On cheerupdates The Majors announced it will be virtual, so I'm guessing we'll see others following soon.

 

[emo_wifey]

We just got an update from the gym that they are still waiting to give us a schedule because Varsity is constantly changing things. We usually would be having our showcase in the next couple of weeks and that's not scheduled yet either. Even though I hate not knowing, that's all this year has been since March and I'm glad the gym isn't giving us a schedule only for it to change multiple times.

 

[kristenthegreat]

Over Cuomo's dead body will a single event remotely in the magnitude of a cheer competition be held in NY for the next 6 months. Double for NYC. Heck, his GHOST would probably haunt any building screaming NEW YORK TOUGH and musing on the Boyfriend.

My mom's team has managed to stay COVID-free through this point and they've had a couple games (fully masked). I think one parent per athlete has been allowed to come (although very few do- we got the NFHS Network thing so you can watch from home. It's actually not bad except it doesn't keep score so you have to hope you get a good angle of the board or track it yourself). Not sure if it's different for outdoor activities. Numbers have been creeping up a bit but who knows?

 

[CLynn]

Over Cuomo's dead body will a single event remotely in the magnitude of a cheer competition be held in NY for the next 6 months. Double for NYC. Heck, his GHOST would probably haunt any building screaming NEW YORK TOUGH and musing on the Boyfriend.

Murphy too! If anyone thinks he is going to allow the Atlantic City convention center to be overwhelmed with 20,000 cheerleaders they just are not paying attention. These venues still have 150 max capacity and the kicker - 2 people unrelated or a family in the elevator at one time. Can you imagine the hotels and lobby's with essentially non-working elevators?

As others have said some states will likely be more open than others. Florida seems happy to be open but I am dubious that you can get the volume of teams to travel in from other states to make these competitions make sense.

 

[catlady]

From the CDC on sport events:

CDC has not recommended a specific limit on the number of people that are safe to attend a sporting event. People who plan to go to a sporting event should contact the sporting program to find out whether seating arrangements and event logistics allow people to stay at least 6 feet apart and the maximum number of attendees the program will allow. <click here>

In general, the number that can attend should allow groups from different households to remain at least 6 feet apart from each other. Rather than focusing on an ideal number, emphasis should be placed on the ability to reduce and limit contact between people. <click here>

 

[CheerItFullOut]

I remember us alllll having these conversations around Worlds - I feel like we are back “there” again

simply put- if regular life isn’t looking normal- we will NOT be having a cheer competition, I don’t care how much we wish it into existence. Name 1 event that is Scheduled AS NORMAL or scheduled As an unrestricted mass social event in ANY state in the next 6 months?! Is the super bowl even on- with fans? I mean???... I hope something changes soon, trust me - but

 

[cheermomforever]

i feel with these virtual comps and having 6 days to video and send in your best is rediculous!!!!

 

[quitthedrama]

I think it fully depends on the individual states at this point. Some may be able to host events (even if it is one spectator per athlete) while some states will not even open arenas and convention halls through the majority of 2021. I'm not sure you will see a big national event with teams coming from all over any time soon as many states have a travel ban and you are required to quarantine for 14 days if you go to a state they deem high risk (our Governor has about 40 states on his list). Parents can not stay out of work for 2 weeks every time there is an out of state competition and if kids go back to school in person they wouldn't be able to miss that much school.

 

[123jump4!]

I’m torn and we’ll be fine with whatever ends up happening. I think comps could be fairly safe if hanging around time is minimized and everyone wears a mask. I guess it’s just wait and see but our gym is planning on going to real comps in Nov & Dec.

 

[Sterling von Shimmer]

i feel with these virtual comps and having 6 days to video and send in your best is rediculous!!!!

Isn’t there a way to do a Zoom with a team and the judges at an allotted time? It wouldn’t allow outsiders watching, but it would somewhat protect the integrity of the sport better than six days worth of chances would.

Everyone could have their run at their time, Varsity posts the vids a couple hours later so everyone can see how the teams did, and then results follow. Because otherwise if teams get bunches of chances, you can assume everyone will hit, and then it’s just a numbers game to figure out who won. The magic isn’t really there.

 

[CLynn]

I think comps could be fairly safe if hanging around time is minimized and everyone wears a mask.

Clearly we all come from different parts of the country and have different comfort levels. In state we have an indoor limit of 150 people so our program would not be legally allowed to be in a team room together or even in our gym together. Now obviously that is not the case in other states but I admit it will be difficult for me personally to go unfazed into Cheersport Atlanta or NCA Dallas and act as if we are back to normal but with masks.

Isn’t there a way to do a Zoom with a team and the judges at an allotted time? It wouldn’t allow outsiders watching, but it would somewhat protect the integrity of the sport better than six days worth of chances would.

Everyone could have their run at their time, Varsity posts the vids a couple hours later so everyone can see how the teams did, and then results follow. Because otherwise if teams get bunches of chances, you can assume everyone will hit, and then it’s just a numbers game to figure out who won. The magic isn’t really there.

There are other groups trying to get a piece of the virtual action who I believe are outside of Varsity. Cheer Match Live is one that popped up on my twitter feed and they give you two trys and you submit your best. I thought this demo was interesting ...