I agree with this post, but I know the reality of cheerleading. In the southeast, kids fly to be on teams such as CA, TG, and miami elite (aka. encore). They used to at least, but I guess if there is no rule against then its not "wrong", just unethical in some eyes. To be honest though if your child had a chance to go to worlds with a team, who knows if you will get that opportunity again.

I know I am supposed to be anonymous on this message board, but I am more comfortable people knowing my views (and please don’t take that comment as a slap to those that want to remain anonymous, because it is not).

The purpose of the USASF Worlds was to get the best teams across the country at one place and have a showdown. It wasn’t meant to see how many kids a coach can pull from wherever, whenever to win. But let’s face it, winning the USASF Worlds is a feather in any coach’s hat so recruiting and/or sharing are evils that have transpired, all in the name of winning.

There is no rule against it. No company will probably ever have any rule against it because to monitor it is a nightmare until we can come up with an inexpensive way to register and card every cheerleader in the US. Or have “cheer police” at every competition to check out team rosters and monitor the where abouts of each kid all year. Hopefully this is something that will happen in the future.

So I guess the answer is, it up to the parents and the coaches. The coaches need to see how detrimental it is to our industry in terms of trust and sportsmanship, not to mention what it says to our kids about “winning at all costs.” It also deflates the notion that “hard work” and “dedication” are just as important (or really more important) as winning.

The parents need to voice their opinions to the coaches/owners on how they feel when their child has been working on a team all year and then at the last minute a new person comes on without paying or even sacrificing all that a child sacrifices to be on that level of a team.

The bottom line is that none of us can pass judgment on anyone. All we can do is what is best for our program and situation. Everyone’s moral and values are different. I heard a saying once “Like Attracts Like.” Meaning that how you are as a person and/or organization are the type of people you will attract to yourself and your business. I know I want to attract people with proper standards, good morals, fair values and a sense of good sportsmanship to my business.

So my response to anyone that “add kids at the last minute” is to say go right ahead. You are not breaking any rules and the win will be even sweeter if a team that just worked hard happens to beat you.

Good luck to all at your next competition!

This is not a rumor; I have spoken first hand to the coach that was approached. I do have a problem with a gym asking another gym to just use their kids for the weekend, or shot to get to WORLDS. They are NOT a part of their gym or program so why should they get to compete? If they were part of that team for the entire year then great fly them wherever and compete with them, however they are NOT. They are on a different team, not their own!

Can anyone answer if it is in the rules anywhere prohibiting such a thing?

Is the USASF doing anything to address this type of situation, here or anywhere else in the country for that matter?

I do agree the opportunity to go to WORLDS is great for any kid, but what kind of message are we sending to these kids if we allow this sort of thing to happen?

California Allstars Lg.Jrs. had two tumblers from Stars Extreme go with them to NCA. Both did double fulls. Those same girls cheered against them at American Grand because they were back again on Stars. CA won anyway. I wonder what the teams at NCA would think about that?

I agree 100% with Morton.

I too have been approached by several programs to share kids. My response each time has been, NO THANK YOU!

My program is my program each and every kid, family, and staff member. We stick together through the good and bad times, as we are a FAMILY. If you have competed anywhere we are at you can see this by the support our fans give to all of the POWER teams, even those that their own child is not on.

I too hope the USASF will deal with this type of situation and soon! A simple certification of all cheerleaders and ID number would prevent most of this type of problem. I know it is something being talked about, but now maybe the USASF will be more proactive in this matter. There are many people in the industry that willing to help in getting this type of thing going.

Good Luck to all!

Cheers

JOHN HEBERT
Owner POWER

What Nor Cal teams attended both American Grand and NCA and are going to GSSA?

So, The implication is that South Bay is out soliciting people??? I am a south bay mom and I can promise you this we have not had ANY additional members on any of our teams from any other gyms. The kids work hard and are talented enough to get a bid (god willing) without any outside help. Whatever happens at GSSA all of the kids are winners and they all work hard for the skills they acheive. Bid or no bid, what will be will be. Good Luck to everyone!!!

I agree that cheergyms is ONE program. But what does one program really mean? It means that it is owned by the same people, and coached by indivduals. Because of the fact that money, and rules are shared and "All American Team" is acceptable.

But what about all the sister teams out there? Southbay and Champion outlaws are sister teams because their coach/gym owner used to coach for outlaws. I believe American and Fierce are also sister teams, and there are some others.

Last year at UCA nationals and at Worlds champion had a member of their small coed team hurt so a member competed with them to fill the spot.

I think having sister teams compete or help eachother is perfectly fine, the gyms know eachother, if they are at a competition by eachother they will practice at their gym, and they will hang out at nationals and exchange clothes.

These kids probably know eachother almost as well as a pyramids member knows a colony member. They do not practice together all the time, but they see eachother at competitions and support eachother.

I think it is perfectly fine for these "sister" teams to help eachother out. They are not "one program" because of the buisness part of it. But they are one "family" forever.

p.s. this was not meant to put down any program, it is just my opinion

So you started the thread, I think we all know cheergyms.com is not the gym in question. POWER and SBE are both denying it and that is the only 3 Norcal gyms in the Bid divisons. Who is it?