Final destination...worlds levels 1-4...so confused!!!

Date: Fri Jul 11 6:52 AM, 2008

RE: Final destination...worlds levels 1-4...so confused!!!

flipkidjudge · Senior Member

Anonymous wrote:

Is the final destination championships the same competition as that one that is supposed to be the worlds for levels 1-4? I'm confused because some people are saying it is. Does anyone know the web-site for this worlds event? Heard it's in Long Beach.
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You are talking about two different events.

Final Destination is an event that was previously sponsored by the NLCC and five competition companies. It was held in Baltimore Maryland until this past year when they moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is for all level teams, Level 1 through Level 5. You have to earn bids to attend at one of the qualifiers, which were hosted by the five sponsoring competition companies. All NLCC did was be the rules and organizing body of this end of year event. Although the event was not run efficiently last year (last year was our first time going) it was a definite money maker and a hit with the cheerleading community, even though many on other message boards derided it in the past as World's lite, the Other World's and the your team is not good enough to make to the real Worlds..

USASF hosts one event per year which is World's in Orlando, Florida. At this moment they do not host any other event nor do I believe they will. They want this to remain the premier event in US Cheerleading at this point.

Varsity, which runs World's and is IMHO interchangeable with USASF as many of the key personnel in one group also are involved in running the other group, had no end of year events for all Levels. All of it's pushing was towards the Level 5's and getting them to World's and getting the cheer world to fully embrace that event as the pinnacle of the end of the year championship. Even though it too is a very big money maker, many gyms who received bids did not go, which automatically takes a cut out of the profits. They (again I believe) heard the complaints of many people that there was nothing for the other Levels as a "true best of the best" end of year championship

In response (I believe) to both the desire for attention to be focused on more than just the Level 5's, the business desire/motivation to weaken and perhaps shut down the rival NLCC to corner the cheerleading market, and of course to make money (nothing wrong with that) Varsity created the International All Levels Championship.

The International All Level Championship is set to compete levels 1 through level 4 only. This will allow them to maintain the focus of Level 5s only at the Cheerleading Worlds. Final Destination (now called the US Finals as Jamfest is a part of this group and will now follow USASF rules) will be levels 1 through level 5. Both events will use a similar format of having the events in multiple locations around the country and then having the winning routines sent to a judging panel to declare the National Champion at each level around the country. This will truly allow all gyms from around the country that choose to go this route a reasonably affordable means to be able to compete at this event.

While many are criticizing this, it is a way to alleviate one of the biggest issues in having a true National Championship at all levels, which is cost to the parents/gym. Usually level 1 and 2 parents are not willing to pay to travel like Level 5 parents. Even if you portray it as the best of the best IMHO a first place team from Maine or Washington may not want to spend extra money to fly to one more competition at the end of the year. The video judging allows them to
compete at a reduced cost. Also trying to deal with the logistics of putting an end of year competition together in April/May when most gyms are already gearing up for tryouts guarantees a smaller gate. having one more comp would push everyone back to May/June and still would not guarantee the attendance needed to make it work. Not yet at least. In time it may be possible.

flipkidjudge · Senior Member

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For the west coasters, the IALC is in Los Angeles and the USFinals will be in Vegas. I imagine who goes where will depend on which one they qualify for and how close/costly the trip will be. But the whole idea was to have a worlds for lower levels and both competitions are going through great lengths to make sure both east and west coasts are represented, yet the fact that they can't combine it into one and have decided to try to market their own defeats the purpose. It will be interesting to see which one ends up having the most talented gyms attending, kind of like NCA vs. Cheersport.

I think we all know that the programs that want to compete against the top teams will be at the IALC. Jamfest is second best to Varsity in everything. Their US Finals seems like a desperate attempt to scrape something together last minute to compete with the IALC. Just look at the companies that give bids to each - Cheersport, NCA, UCA vs. Jamfest, AB, and COA. It's not even close!

For awhile it has been setting up in the cheerleading world as Varsity running a monopoly. Jamfest started buying companies and has appeared to be the only major player who has not either sold out directly or aligned themselves with Varsity. Then you have the indepdndent companies who are either choosing sides or trying to remain independent throighout the "takeover" mania.

The same thing is manifest in these events. I could be wrong, but Jamfest getting involved with NLCC/Final Destination was ultimately not it's first choice, but it's best choice as things were presented to them. The affect is to still basicaly push out the NLCC as running the event, now that it Jamfest is on board. Without the assurance of Jamfest running the event or having a much larger role in running the event, IMHO the event would have not broke even this year and may have closed down because of the horrible events at last years event.

As far as the top teams theory goes, you may be right. However plenty of things happen behind closed doors that many parents are not aware of that could potentially make your statement 100% true. Many of the top teams coaches and owners already met/had phone meetings and decided to attend the IALC events as a group. Doing so was in their best interests...nothing wrong with that. So it is a well coordinated effort IMHO to promote the IALC by people already in with the Varsity plan. Who better to sell it than the "top teams" in the country attending and making it look completely innocent? And if it is true in business that one hand washes the other or if you scratch my back, I will scratch yours...as an Independent gym I would want no part of it.

Date: Tue Jul 15 7:25 AM, 2008

Thanks for filling us in on all the background. The criticism comes from the fact that you will have two "worlds for all levels" to choose from, and just the fact that you can go to either one wipes out any notion of a gym being the best at their level because some will participate in UsFinals, some in IALC. That defeats the entire purpose of it. They need to work their differences out and think of the athletes for once, and create ONE true national/worlds for levels 1 through 4, doing it exactly how they have it planned (with videotaping helping to avoid travelling costs).

flipkidjudge · Senior Member

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks for filling us in on all the background. The criticism comes from the fact that you will have two "worlds for all levels" to choose from, and just the fact that you can go to either one wipes out any notion of a gym being the best at their level because some will participate in UsFinals, some in IALC. That defeats the entire purpose of it. They need to work their differences out and think of the athletes for once, and create ONE true national/worlds for levels 1 through 4, doing it exactly how they have it planned (with videotaping helping to avoid travelling costs).

While I will never discount anything in this cheer world, I just do not see them working it out. The best I see see happening is a NBA/ABA type situation where the victors of one championship faced the victors of the other. There are still more things that would have to be resolved to even attempt to go down that path. But them merging I just do not see happening. USASF has the mosy leverage to pull it off. However they are Varsity and I do not see them doing anything that would benefit Jamfest.

The idealistic differences are too great. Honestly there is too much money on the table to be made. And as quiet as it is kept, 60 - 70 percent of gyms do not care about IALC or US Finals one way or the other. Those are the independant gyms that have the pull to sway things to one side or the other but have wisely decided to stay out of it. They may not be the big name gyms or well known, but the smaller gyms are the def majority in this country.

As one well connected person told me, it's business. They are not thinking of the athletes. They are thinking of how to enhance and promote their business. If by doing that it benefits the athletes, fine. I disagree, but I have always been the rebel...lol.

Date: Tue Jul 15 12:43 PM, 2008

Again, thank you for your insight and for helping us understand how we ended up with two of these competitions when all the levels 1 through 4 athletes ever wanted was one. Maybe someday.

Date: Tue Aug 12 6:58 AM, 2008

The IALC also offers Levels 1-5, not just 1-4. Visit their website at
www.all-levels.com

USASF is not Varsity. USASF is made up of members from may organizations.

Date: Tue Aug 12 6:58 AM, 2008

www.all-levels.com. This is the World's for levels 1-4.

Date: Tue Aug 12 7:26 AM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

Thank you for clearing that up. It looks like there is a good selection of competition companies that are participating. Even though this is not a USASF event, it's close in that all the companies participating are part of USASF and it is going by USASF guidelines. If we want to know which particular competitions are giving out bids, I imagine we need to go to the particular website for that competition company (e.g., Jamz)?

www.all-levels.com

Date: Tue Aug 12 8:59 AM, 2008

It will be very interesting to see which competition gyms choose to attend (IALC or USFinals), and their reasoning behind it. Still hoping they decide to do what is right for the athletes and somehow combine the two, even if it's just a final showdown between the winners of both.

Tamara · cheergyms.com Master Poster

Anonymous wrote:
It will be very interesting to see which competition gyms choose to attend (IALC or USFinals), and their reasoning behind it. Still hoping they decide to do what is right for the athletes and somehow combine the two, even if it's just a final showdown between the winners of both.

I feel the same, kinda like baseball's World Series (although, it could be just one competition, instead of seven).

Date: Tue Aug 12 4:04 PM, 2008

just to clarify on the levels only youth and up levels 1-5 could qualify for the worlds( ialc) and as for final destination all teams tiny and up 1-5 can go.

Date: Tue Aug 12 5:54 PM, 2008

Is level 6 included in the All Levels competition?

Date: Tue Aug 12 10:03 PM, 2008

i believe only final destination.

flipkidjudge · Senior Member

Stay tuned...

flipkidjudge · Senior Member

Anonymous wrote:

The IALC also offers Levels 1-5, not just 1-4. Visit their website at
www.all-levels.com

USASF is not Varsity. USASF is made up of members from may organizations.

Although I did not need the website to know you were wrong I went to it
just to verify my facts:

What Divisions will be Offered?

All USASF divisions will be offered except:
Divisions offered at the USASF/IASF Cheerleading and Dance Worlds
Tiny divisions
Mini divisions

As to the USASF is not Varsity....I have been researching that one too long. While it is set up to appear independent from Varsity it is not. They are rooms in the same house with the same owners. Just because my daughter says it is her room the truth is it is my room in my house that I let her use....lol. Until,,,,

Yes there are many gyms/comp companies aligned with USASF (as with Varsity) but in all honesty a blind man at midnight in Alsaka in the dead of WInter can see through that one. Especially if you know how to feel your way through the "connections, associations, alignements, and positions." biggrin

Stay tuned..the summer is not over yet!

Date: Wed Aug 13 11:33 AM, 2008

Flip, I love your analogies. Great post, thanks!

flipkidjudge · Senior Member

You are welcome. I was trying hard not come off as being grouchy....tough week.

Date: Thu Aug 14 11:40 AM, 2008

I do aplogize, you are correct in one thing: at this time the IALC is not offering Level 5 Divisions however neither is The US Finals. It is currently in the talks of whether or not either competition will be allowed to offer Level 5 Teams at their events.

flipkidjudge · Senior Member

Anonymous wrote:

I do aplogize, you are correct in one thing: at this time the IALC is not offering Level 5 Divisions however neither is The US Finals. It is currently in the talks of whether or not either competition will be allowed to offer Level 5 Teams at their events.

Not a problem. The only thing definite via US Finals from their website is this:

Bids will be offered in ALL-STAR, SCHOOL and REC cheer and dance divisions. Most qualifiers will offer bids in all divisions. A select few will only offer bids in specific divisions (i.e. dance only, rec only, etc.)

There is absolutley no mention of it being restricted to any level...as of yet.
Again...stay tuned. wink

Sounds like both of us may know some things others do not...lol.

-- Edited by flipkidjudge at 13:51, 2008-08-14