I am pleased to announce that Pyramids Special Needs Team will be competing (finally) at GSSA Nationals on March 3rd and 4th! Come on out and support these great girls! They have worked hard to prepare for competion!!
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"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." -Walt Disney
I am soooooooooooo excited they will be performing at GSSA! Congratulations on all your hard work and effort that has gone into getting the team up and running. I hope this encourages other gyms to follow suit.
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"Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."
Acts 13:14-16
ACEDAD, I'd like to thank you and USASF for putting so much effort into helping gyms establish Special Needs teams. You must feel a great sense of accomplishment every time a new team takes the floor. Keep up the great support and encouragement for gyms across the country.
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"Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."
Acts 13:14-16
Yes that is me in a shell. I went ot the San Diego zoo last Easter Break. They have them on the ground, crazy huh? I wish I could yuse that as my DL picture!!! THat would be great!
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"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." -Walt Disney
Do gyms charge monthly tuition and competition fees to the Special Needs teams? Or do gyms allow them to cheer for free? Just wondering how hard it is for families to get their kids involved if there are financial barriers.
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"Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."
Acts 13:14-16
Do gyms charge monthly tuition and competition fees to the Special Needs teams? Or do gyms allow them to cheer for free? Just wondering how hard it is for families to get their kids involved if there are financial barriers.
Competition fees: right now, no competition company charges an entry fee for special needs teams, except UCA nationals is now charging for the hopper passes. (We're working on getting this corrected).
Gym fees: this is all about what is right for the gym and the athletes. Some gyms don't charge a dime. Some gyms charge, but state that they will work with all the athletes to fund raise everything.
At ACE, we charge $50 per month (May - February) to cover the insurance, gym rental, overhead, etc. No profit in that amount. For athletes where it is a hardship, we work out scholarship/sponsorship arrangements.
There are three reasons I recommend that a gym charge some amount:
1. Just because a child has special needs doesn't mean the family is poor. As I said above, we make arrangements if needed.
2. When the family is paying for a service, they tend to have more interest in being involved, showing up (on time or at all) and appreciating the service.
3. We want as many gyms as possible to start special needs teams. We don't want gyms to have financial hardships to make it happen. (Same is true of competition companies, uniform companies, make up companies, etc.) Charging for hard dollar, out of pocket costs helps ensure the gyms will be around to sponsor the teams for a long time.
We've got something new that will be posted on www.usasf.net tomorrow. If you want a smile or a lift to your day, please take a few moments to check it out.
There will be a link in the middle of the front page labeled:
The best reason to start and have a SPECIAL NEEDS team in your gym!
Thanks for sharing this. The videos and articles were truly heart-warming to go through.
Yes! I ditto this qoute! Looks like the journey is just beginning....as the character, Ariel, in the Little Mermaid would sing "A whole new world". Simply fantastic!
ACEDAD wrote: We've got something new that will be posted on www.usasf.net tomorrow. If you want a smile or a lift to your day, please take a few moments to check it out.
There will be a link in the middle of the front page labeled:
The best reason to start and have a SPECIAL NEEDS team in your gym!
Just click.
I am completely in tears. Those videos and letters are the sweetest things ever. I am going to talk to our gym owner asap! I would love to see more teams around california. Come on guys lets do it! Those kids are simply heroes! I applaud you Acedad, Cheerforce and others who have special needs teams.
With a huge lump in my throat and tears streaming, all I can say is Thank You to all who are doing SO much for these kids. As the Aunt of child with Downs this hits so close to home. I hope that more gyms will step-up and offer special needs teams. These kids have the purest of hearts and could just give so much to any program. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
