After Nelsons let it all out in the topic Too Many Cheer Competition Companies? It got me to thinking. What do think would be the perfect competition? One day or two? No scores at the end of the competition or let it all out? One large competition with a mix of all start private dance and grade school cheer and dance or just all star. How about an award for best music or uniform?
Parents yes on video and photos or have a professional? No fee to get in? free coffee? For all mini and youth parents because you need to get there so early.
Coaches - Cross over or no cross over? More time to warm up? No cross over fees? Two chances to run the routine?
Athletes free stuff? Yes to big stuffed mascots running around or its annoying? Individual awards or just one for the program?
Location is not apart of this, we all would love to watch a competition on a beach in a lounge chair. Lol
Free admission, or at least REASONABLE. Anything over $10 for a regional is insane ($15 for 2 days). Allow videotaping, option to buy if people want to. Announce scores so we can see who came close, and post them on websites within a week. That way if someone has no competition they can at least shoot for a high score. I know they have to combine small and large teams sometimes if they have low attendance, but I really think it's an unfair advantage so I would say separate them. Good food offered, decent parking (no outrageous parking fees).
My wish would be for a few of these competition companies to combine and work together to give us higher quality competitions with more competition in each division. I guarantee people would rather see their team get 3rd (for example) in a division that has more than five then to get 1st out of 2, or worse yet, 1st out of one.
Free admission, or at least REASONABLE. Anything over $10 for a regional is insane ($15 for 2 days). Allow videotaping, option to buy if people want to. Announce scores so we can see who came close, and post them on websites within a week. That way if someone has no competition they can at least shoot for a high score. I know they have to combine small and large teams sometimes if they have low attendance, but I really think it's an unfair advantage so I would say separate them. Good food offered, decent parking (no outrageous parking fees).
My wish would be for a few of these competition companies to combine and work together to give us higher quality competitions with more competition in each division. I guarantee people would rather see their team get 3rd (for example) in a division that has more than five then to get 1st out of 2, or worse yet, 1st out of one.
I am ok with 1st out of 2, its he 1st out of one that kills me. I say that if there is no one in your category then you are just there for show. What's the point if there is no one for you to compete with? A team can go out there for 2 minuets and play miss sally walker and get first. I say from now on if your team is alone then they are exhibition only and you get no trophy. If you do not like it then move up or down a category.
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Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please. Mark Twain 1835 - 1910
The problem with "free" anything is that they just pass along the cost to you in competition fees. Nothing is "free" - admission, coffee, gifts, whatever.
The problem with Jamfest is the cost per cheerleader is very high. That is how they make up for the free admission (nothing is ever "free"). But I would rather leave one competition out and go to Jamfest then pay for two cheaper competitions. I think it would be wonderful if parents could vote on which competitions to attend. Do any gyms do that?
6. large variety of concessions (healthy and junk food) that stay open and stocked until the end. (No excuse for running out of drinks and water with 2 1/2 hours to go...)
7. Multiple award ceremonies (morning session, afternoon...)
8. Assigned cheerleader viewing area
9. Airhorns prohibited!
10. Scores annonced
11. no throwing out free stuff as a time filler. Have a jump contest instead.
12. No parent dance off/hula hoop contest... fine if it involves the kids
13. I like the idea of best music, best choreography, etc... but not a spirit award like at JamFest: it is based on activity not shown on the comp floor.
