Got this off the temporary I miss Pro x board.Check out the last paragraph about UNIFORMS RECOMENDATIONS. Do you see mandatory full length tops in the near future????
From an e-mail posted on another cheer siter re: Level 4.2:
Coaches, Big decisions were made at the recent USASF Meeting in Dallas. Please read over the following email sent out by Mike Burgess. The most important and immediate point (in my opinion) is the addition of a Level 4.2 Senior Open. This division combines Level 4 Stunting Skills and Level 2 Tumbling skills into one division. Our hope is that a Level 4.2 is the PERFECT opportunity for you to recruit kids back to your gym that enjoy cheerleading but whose tumbling skills haven't progressed at the same pace as their stunting skills.
Please note, this division goes into effect starting THIS SEASON.
Here is Mike Burgess' email...
Dear USASF/IASF Membership:
Over the past several months committees and the National Advisory Board of the USASF and/or IASF have been meeting to discuss several topics related to all-star cheer and dance. As a result of these meetings, and in particular the most recent gathering of committees in Dallas, Texas in the United States, there are some new guidelines, policies, definitions and a division addition that will impact our membership effective immediately.
The three specific areas are:
SMALL GYM DEFINITION
The small gyms definition has been further clarified and now reads:
A "Small Gym" is defined as having 100 or less participants. A Small Gym is defined as having one physical address for its location and has 100 or less athletes registered in its competitive cheer program at the time of competition. Exhibition teams, crossover athletes, special needs teams and dance teams do not count toward the 100 or less athletes.
4.2 DIVISION ADDED
In an effort to encourage increased participation in the all-star cheerleading activity, the USASF/IASF has recognized the challenge that many participants feel who are skilled in stunting but limited in their personal tumbling ability. Therefore a new division has been added to the 2008-09 Age Grid. This is level 4.2.
Level 4.2 follows Level 4 rules for Stunts/Pyramids/Dismounts and Tosses and Level 2 rules for General Tumbling/Standing Tumbling and Running Tumbling. It is offered only in "Senior Open."
The two items above will be added to the 2008-09 effective immediately.
UNIFORMS RECOMENDATIONS
The following recommendation is being made by the USASF as it pertains to uniforms for all-star participants. This is not a "rule," at this time, but only a recommendation. Therefore, it will be posted on the website and shared with membership, but it will not appear on the Age Grid.
"Coaches should consider ALL squad members' body types when choosing a uniform style. The uniform should comfortably fit the athlete, and the athlete should feel comfortable performing in the uniform. The skirt on female cheerleaders should cover briefs completely in front and back while standing; and should fit loosely enough not to "ride up" around waist during performance. Crop tops should reasonably cover the athlete, and not be so short that bra tops show during "arm over head" movements. This is not a mandatory rule for this season, but simply a recommendation. We must present our participants as athletes, and be aware that many children to not have the body type to make some uniforms fit the above criteria."
I appreciate all of the hard-work and dedication of the various committees of the USASF/IASF and the continued support of our membership.
Thanks,
Justin Carrier Executive Director - Strategic Development NCA/NDA
Yes it was posted here when it (that e-mail) first came out. I have been saying for the past year or more that it was going that way. Of course I have been laughed at by many saying it would not happen. Give it a year or so and it will become not a recommendation but a rule.
I don't have anything against crop tops, but I do agree not everyone looks good in them, or even looks comfortable in them. I would like to see All Stars looked at as a sport and I think sometimes some of of the uniforms I've seen don't help that cause.
I do not think every one looks good in crop tops. I also think every one does not look good...translation athletic in full tops. I would like to think it is a gym owners choice in what they choose to purchase for their athletes to wear at competitions. So personally I do not think USASF should be mandating this. Especially as long as they have that joke of a certification process and credentialing process for coaches that they currently have.
Do I think it will be passed. Yes, without a doubt. They have been laying the groundwork for this for awhile now.
Do I agree. No. I have posted too many times about this issue and why I object.
As a momo of two younger cheerleaders I don't think the crop tops are appropriate for the younger teams.....In fact, I know several parents who would pull there kids from a team if they were to wear crop tops.....for the older teams I don't see a problem other than they aren't made for every body type
I agree with flipkid on this. I think it should be the choice of the gym. The owners should use good sense as to what particular teams will look good in what, although clearly some do not. I was wondering.... do teams get docked points for what judges consider sloppy apperance? (skirts too short, not pulled down etc)
As a parent, I appreciate a more conservative uniform for the girls. Not to be paranoid, but anyone can purchase a ticket to a cheer competition. I personally have witnessed men video taping competitions who don't appear to be with any other family members, friends or even a particular cheer team - just there randomly taping all teams and zooming in and out. This does concern me as to what was being taped and where that content would end up. As a parent, I'd rather not put my daughter out there in a revealing uniform that may end up on a shady website. It's not appropriate for the younger girls, and I don't even think it's appropriate for the older girls as they have more to show. As a parent, think about who is looking at your daughters and why and then determine if you still feel it's appropriate for them to be wearing slightly more than a swimsuit with cameras pointed all over them. The kids may not care about this, but parents, coaches and gym owners should be concerned about the safety and integrity of the girls.
That is a very scary but true concern. Even though I like the look of the crop top, there really isn't a need for it, especially with all the wierdos in our society. Although the wierdos are going to still be there with or without crops!!! It is pretty sad when you think about it
As a parent, I appreciate a more conservative uniform for the girls. Not to be paranoid, but anyone can purchase a ticket to a cheer competition. I personally have witnessed men video taping competitions who don't appear to be with any other family members, friends or even a particular cheer team - just there randomly taping all teams and zooming in and out. This does concern me as to what was being taped and where that content would end up. As a parent, I'd rather not put my daughter out there in a revealing uniform that may end up on a shady website. It's not appropriate for the younger girls, and I don't even think it's appropriate for the older girls as they have more to show. As a parent, think about who is looking at your daughters and why and then determine if you still feel it's appropriate for them to be wearing slightly more than a swimsuit with cameras pointed all over them. The kids may not care about this, but parents, coaches and gym owners should be concerned about the safety and integrity of the girls.
Spies of other squads come in and video tape so they know what the other teams have.
As a parent, I appreciate a more conservative uniform for the girls. Not to be paranoid, but anyone can purchase a ticket to a cheer competition. I personally have witnessed men video taping competitions who don't appear to be with any other family members, friends or even a particular cheer team - just there randomly taping all teams and zooming in and out. This does concern me as to what was being taped and where that content would end up. As a parent, I'd rather not put my daughter out there in a revealing uniform that may end up on a shady website. It's not appropriate for the younger girls, and I don't even think it's appropriate for the older girls as they have more to show. As a parent, think about who is looking at your daughters and why and then determine if you still feel it's appropriate for them to be wearing slightly more than a swimsuit with cameras pointed all over them. The kids may not care about this, but parents, coaches and gym owners should be concerned about the safety and integrity of the girls.
Spies of other squads come in and video tape so they know what the other teams have.
Hey, it worked for the New England Patriots. Okay maybe not this season. Anyway, I videotape our competition because my daughter is usually backstage and can't see it. I know that's not the case for everyone, but I thought I'd mention not everyone who tapes is a spy.
Hey, it worked for the New England Patriots. Okay maybe not this season. Anyway, I videotape our competition because my daughter is usually backstage and can't see it. I know that's not the case for everyone, but I thought I'd mention not everyone who tapes is a spy.
I did that for my mini at her first comp and almost didn't live to tell about it. I had filmed her team and thought, 'oh' I'll film her competition so she can see it." glad I lived. Be careful if you run into a whacko.
Hey, it worked for the New England Patriots. Okay maybe not this season. Anyway, I videotape our competition because my daughter is usually backstage and can't see it. I know that's not the case for everyone, but I thought I'd mention not everyone who tapes is a spy.
Oh I totally agree with you. Someone was just making the case that it was possible perverts that were taping some of the teams. I just know for a fact that I have watched coaches from other programs come in and video tape teams, and yet they had no team there that day. I video tape for my coaches our teams so they can watch the video back at the gym for our very own program. And I think if parents can they should video tape their children so the athletes can watch themselves later.
Hmmm, didn't look like coaches taping. Just looked like a random old guy. Like I said, not to be paranoid, but it was very suspicious, and not in a spy kind of way but in a leering at little girls kind of way.
Hmmm, didn't look like coaches taping. Just looked like a random old guy. Like I said, not to be paranoid, but it was very suspicious, and not in a spy kind of way but in a leering at little girls kind of way.
Ok, well maybe. I was just saying what I have seen. And I sat with a man, who I had no idea who he was taping our teams. He said to me. Oh my daughter is on "such an such team," she loves this teams choreography. So anything is possible!
Hmmm, didn't look like coaches taping. Just looked like a random old guy. Like I said, not to be paranoid, but it was very suspicious, and not in a spy kind of way but in a leering at little girls kind of way.
Ok, well maybe. I was just saying what I have seen. And I sat with a man, who I had no idea who he was taping our teams. He said to me. Oh my daughter is on "such an such team," she loves this teams choreography. So anything is possible!
Yes - that is possible. I just wanted to bring up that competitions are open to anyone who buys a ticket, and with video taping all over the place, you don't always know the intentions of the person taping. Could be a parent, could be a coach or even a spy or it could be something much worse. I'd rather our teams be aware of this and have my daughter a little more covered since you don't always know.
I need to get my thoughts together on the videotaping. As a parent of five girls I understand the predator issue, but as a coach who has seen spies from other programs film other teams they would compete against later that year to see what they had, beg through message boards like this for videos of other teams in their division, and who has had to kick spies from other programs out of the gym for trying to record our practices, i have def missed feelings about the subject. One thing s for sure...what some see as completely innocent others see as sneaky and underhanded.
Back to uniforms:
This subject has been discussed on this board and many others for at least the past year and a half. So I feel many were aware that something was going on, but it was always shot down as a poor conspiracy against USASF/Varsity. This was posted on another message board over six months ago by one of the admins.
Re:VARSITY IS TAKING OVER
You bring up some valid points. However i do not honestly think Varsity is concerned about the self esteem of some cheerleaders...they will take their money no matter how they look.
My issue is should one company set the clothing standard for an entire industry, especially when there are so many other issues they need to work on. Especially when that one company has bought, partnered or excluded companies from dealing with their slice of the cheer pie? As a business stratgey I think it is brilliant, but as a consumoer I do not want to limit myself to only Wal-Mart..even if I feel their prices are better than others.
I also think parents have a right to vote with their feet if they do not like the uniforn the gym selects. Just because a style is on the market or is the hottest thing, means a parent who parents should let their child wear it. Same for cheer. If a gym loses customers because of their uniform and they are willing to take that loss, then that is their business issue. But to mandate it be a certain uniform is one step away from mandating who you buy it from. If some things are rumored to be true...some things may be changing right now and we have no idea until it is sprung on us. Sorry but I am not a huge believer in conincedences...especially in the business world.
Let's use World's as an example. They have a package(s) for you to buy. You can get there much cheaper on your own but you don't have the same rights of access to their event. Why? Because they are not paid off your great planning skills or your clever travel agent that hooked you up. They get paid by you buying their package. (I have done planning for large groups so I know how the structure and hook up works.)So they make it prohibitively more expensive to do it any other way. I know many people could care less about Disney park passes that have to buy them simply because their child/relative is cheering at World's. Trust that it is not hard to flip the switch and say unless you buy your uniform from Varisty or a Varsity approved supplier you can not compete at an USASF event. Create the market, create the need, restrict competition and you got them.
I do not know if we will ever return to the day of cheerleaders who dressed like the cheerleaders in my high school way back when. Again you make vaild points. I just do not think self esteem is Varsity is going after. .
Okay maybe not this season. Anyway, I videotape our competition because my daughter is usually backstage and can't see it. I know that's not the case for everyone, but I thought I'd mention not everyone who tapes is a spy.
I did that for my mini at her first comp and almost didn't live to tell about it. I had filmed her team and thought, 'oh' I'll film her competition so she can see it." glad I lived. Be careful if you run into a whacko. 
