I mean there are plenty of gyms who participate in the existing Worlds divisions and do well as the only Worlds team in their program?
And if this is for small gyms that also makes no sense because there are small programs gyms with more than one worlds team who would not be eligible to participate.
(confusion intensifies)
I saw this shared on Facebook from a small gym owner-
Limited Worlds Divisions Added
Today was a very big win for small gyms and for gyms with only 1 worlds team.
Back story: Years ago a new worlds division was created with the intentions of fostering growth and retention amongst any gym that only had 1 worlds team. That division was X Small. The division immediately filled a gap that needed to be filled. Make no mistake this wasn't a D2 division, and was never intended to be, it was a division for gyms that only had enough kids for 1 worlds team.
We got 1 year. That was it. One year. Tabbi and I sat in a round table about the division late in the season, and it was very clear that the larger gyms did not like the protections that came with the division. And to be honest, we weren't strong enough, or wise enough at the time to know how to really fight back. We were told time and time again that larger gyms wouldn't want to touch XS with a 10 foot pole. They just wanted access to it, but to not be in it. Not enough money in it, It's dumb to only have 16 kids on the floor when we could have 28, It's not a respectable division. It was literally everything we had heard 5 years before about D2 being a thing.
At the end of that season, XS as we knew it was taken away. That was a huge blow to gyms that had a worlds team that utilized the division. It took less than a year for every major large gym brand to create new teams and place them in XS, or to reconfigure existing teams by dropping them into XS. We knew it would happen, but man they sure did try to sell to us the division was unwanted nor needed.
Fast forward to today. Three new divisions were unveiled.
Limited XS Coed (2 boys, 16 total athletes)
Limited Coed (5 Boys, 22 Athletes Total)
Limited All Girl (5-22 Athletes)
We have been fighting for the reinstatement of the original XS concept for years. Three to be exact.
These divisions will operate differently than the traditional worlds division. You will compete and earn bids in your standard division ( XS, XSC, Sr Coed) then have the OPTION at worlds to compete in the limited division.
The most important part of this model is CHOICE. You can choose to compete in the limited division or choose to compete in the standard division. And in some divisions, it may be to your advantage to stay in the standard division.
We have been fighting for the reinstatement for the last three years, because it's beyond time to acknowledge that smaller gyms regardless of D1/D2 status need the ability to grow into worlds programs ( if that is what you want to do) .
This has been needed and it was time. We are so excited And no one can take that away from us, including twitter trolls, lol.
This is an opportunity to continue to create the program you want, while also expanding your vision. Winning is NOT everything, but the OPPURTUNITY and CHANCE to win will keep the hope, vision and gym alive.
This is a big big big win for our community.
There were 46 plus teams in XS, and 3 in Large Coed.
I have nothing but respect for Large coed, man those teams are amazing, coached phenomenally, and are incredibly innovative. But those divisions will continue to be in divisions of 3-5 until medium teams move to Large. And Small teams need to move into Medium, Xs teams need to move into Small.
Any measures that help Small Gym, while continuing to grow and retain athletes is a great step in the right direction.
For some gyms, Worlds is not the end game, and we have hella respect for that. But, if it is, now's the time to make your vision for your gyms future know.
Tonight WE celebrate.
This is a WIN, this is OUR WIN.
Dream ALL the BIG DREAMS.
Have the courage to FIGHT for your kids to compete at worlds in YOUR UNIFORM if that's what you dream.
SPEAK your vision and BELIEVE in your Program
— divisions limited for programs with only ONE Worlds Team.
