Worlds Int'l Divisions

Worlds Watcher · GURU

Worlds Int'l Divisions

cheerwatcher · GURU

Wow, Thats interesting. Honestly, I dont think its because the international teams are less skilled--I think its because owners see it as a way to get another banner on their wall. Another easy "w" I hope that they dont let US teams compete in junior int'l at worlds. It should go to a true INTERNATIONAL team!

Although in number 2 it says something about "only a few teams per country will progress from international prelims to finals to give the international finals a stronger country versus country focus."

So maybe they want 1 US team to represent the US an the rest of the finalists to be from other countries. But is that fair? I dont think so, int'l teams only have this one category to enter in .. while the US has several divisions. hmm. Just my thoughts.

-- Edited by cheerwatcher at 09:33, 2007-01-27

Worlds Watcher · GURU

cheerwatcher wrote:
...I hope that they dont let US teams compete in junior int'l at worlds. It should go to a true INTERNATIONAL team!

There are already 7 Jr teams that have bids to Worlds in Int'l Jr divisions. And so far we have no information of any non-US teams that are going. So, although USASF says they are creating these Int'l divisions for non-US teams, seems like only US teams or the majority of teams will be from US. So what is the point?

And if you think about it, all teams that are at Worlds are considered "International" unless Worlds is really a US Nationals competition that has decided to add International divisions.

I do think it will be very interesting to see how they implement #2: "limited number of teams from each country will progress to finals". They really left that open. So will they only let the same number of teams from each country proceed to finals no matter what the scores?

cheer1 · Veteran Member

I think this whole thing with worlds international divisions is silly. If this is truly a worlds competition then all countries should represent in all divisions. By seperating the other countries it becomes another big nationals. I can remember when gymnastic's was dominated by the Russian teams (CCCP) . At that time the US teams were lucky if they made the top 5. Same with all sports. Open all divisions to all countries so if it is dominated by the US now just wait if the other countries come compete against the US they will learn and come back stronger and catch up pretty fast. I think we should be looking over our shoulders because China and Japan will be there soon. But of course that's just my oponion.

Tamara · cheergyms.com Master Poster

I would rather see the "international" division elimated; however, I do understand that other countries may run their age divisions totally different than we do, so most foreign teams wouldn't be able to compete if USASF just got rid of the international division. Since getting rid of the international division doesn't seem to be viable, keep the US out of it.

There's also another worlds competition. The results from the 3rd Cheerleading Worlds Championships in 2005 in Tokyo were:

         All Female: 1. Japan 2. Finland 3. Chinese Taipei
         Mixed: 1. Chinese Taipei 2. Japan 3. Finland
         Cheer Dance: 1. Slovenia 2. Finland 3. Norway

Here's where it's been located so far: 2001-Tokyo, 2003-Manchester, 2005-Tokyo. The next one will be in Finland 2007. Wish we could go to that one! However, you have to be 16 and older to compete and a member of IFC (International Cheerleading Federation). Since one would have to have team of strictly 16 and older, that keeps most US teams out.

So all this leads to a big I Don't Know! ;)

cheer1 · Veteran Member

Wow I didn't know that Tamara. The other worlds I mean. Sounds pretty interesting to me.

I did notice when watching the teams form Japan and Chinese Taipei on you tube that they were all older. I'd say maybe 16 more like college age and older kids. That's been my point all along about cheerleading ever getting into the Olympic's. After doing alot of research most sports have age minimums. Most you have to be at least 16 or older to compete in the Olympic's that also why theis a junior games. Alot of people will jump on me when I say this but I believe it's true. As far as the international cheerleading federation I didn't know there was one. That's great cause most sports have an international federation along with each own countries. Example usfsa (United states figure skating association) Puts our nationals on. Then you have the ISU which is the international skating union. which governs the figure skating worlds and Olympics. Lots to think about huh?

Worlds Watcher · GURU

Take a few minutes to visit the IFC website. If this is the organization that is setting standards for cheer I think the cheer world is in trouble. They have very little guidelines under the "Competition Rules and Safety Regulations. They do indicate that US is a member of IFC but do not list a contact and they do have someone on the board of directors from the US: Stephanie French, Treasurer.

If you look at the videos that have been posted they are doing Level 6 skills (pyramids). In my opinion the IFC World Champions do not even come close to being able to beat our UCA or NCA college champions. Or for that matter our USASF World champions. If USASF allowed Sr teams to do level 6 skills the US would still have a huge lead from the rest of world.

So, will we ever see any of the IFC champions at the USASF Worlds competition? Or will the US ever try to send a team to the IFC Worlds competition? As we've noted before the guidelines of age and size of the teams is very different between the US and "rest of world".

http://www.ifc-hdqrs.org/