Competitions/Worlds Bids

Date: Thu May 11 7:40 AM, 2006

Competitions/Worlds Bids

Date: Thu May 11 12:05 PM, 2006

I don't know how others choose which comps to go to, but being with the same organization for years, it seems they choose the ones that everyone enjoys going to. They always know which ones we would not want to go back to, and almost always agree.

I hope organizations aren't choosing based on which ones give them a better chance at getting world bids, because for one thing, that doesn't seem fair at all to the other teams in the organizations (you know, the non-level 5 teams, the ones that tend to be forgotten about).

I like the competitions in California that have a good blend of representation from Northern and Southern CA teams. American Championship comes to mind because I remember the competition there was so awesome. We didn't win, but just to be in the top half was such a great feeling.

Date: Thu May 11 12:15 PM, 2006

Question wrote:

I was just curious what is the determining factor this season for organizations regarding which competitions you'll go to. For instance, reading another post I see that Motions isn't going to Jamz Nationals. Which surprises me since they paid for their full bid to Florida last season, and based on the feedback I read on this board, the majority of teams enjoyed it. And they chose USA, which most of us have said we avoid like the plague. Do you look at how bids are awarded for your level 5 teams? Or do you go based on the ones everyone (all levels, not just level 5) enjoyed the most? And avoid the ones everyone disliked? People tend to criticize organizations that go to competitions that don't have a lot of competition, so I'm just curious how everyone determines which to go to.

Oh, another question. Did the rules stay the same regarding World Bids or did they make changes based on all the feedback from last season? There certainly was a lot of feedback and suggestions, I hope they took them to heart and made some changes.

LOL based on what I read from this board after Jamz, it seemed like many people didn't like Jamz. It's no surprise because they are usually overpriced and not very organized.

Date: Thu May 11 12:51 PM, 2006

We like Jamz. I think the problem with Jamz this year was that they just were not ready for the response they got what with Worlds bids up for grabs. They had a ton more competitors this year than in the past, and I think they just got caught unprepared. Although with regards to Worlds bids, there was definitely an advantage for the teams that went to USA, there sure were not a lot of teams competing for those bids.

I'll be curious to see how attendance for USA and GSSA competitions go this year. I heard tons of complaints after both, and even programs that did well commented that they would not be back. They really could build up decent business if they listened to their customers. I hope USASF also listened to the comments people had about bids and the way they were distributed.

Date: Thu May 11 12:58 PM, 2006

To Cheerleading Fan, I'm not sure what you were reading, but I read mostly positive things about Jamz Nationals in Vegas. Did you go? The only problem was, as the other post said, they were caught unprepared and had too many teams going on the same day/evening, so the awards were way too late. I would guess that problem will be corrected this year.

I haven't seen our competition list, but I'm guessing we'll be going again. USA, we'll pass on that one, thanks. For the many reasons already listed on this message board.

Date: Thu May 11 3:53 PM, 2006

I HATED Jamz... Music was to loud... Hated the awards ceromony (suppose to be about the kids). Just didn't like it.

Date: Thu May 11 3:59 PM, 2006

Wow, I thought the awards ceremony was completely about the kids (at Jamz Nationals). I thought they did a great job. And it was awesome of course if your kids were among the ones who got to run up stage; made them feel pretty special for winning first. Better than sitting on the competition floor while they hand out trophies. I agree about the awards being way too late; they gotta fix that.

Date: Thu May 11 4:02 PM, 2006

Think we're getting sidetracked from the original question-- how do organizations choose which comps to go to? We all don't have a crystal ball to see who is going to which ones (wish we did because we would welcome the competition). Do you choose by the amount of teams that participated the year before?

Date: Thu May 11 4:44 PM, 2006

Here are the steps that cheergyms.com takes in forming our comp schedule.

1) Gather ALL possible competitions to attend.
2) Eliminate ALL that we know are "non competitive" for whatever reason.
3) Eliminate the ones that were a bad experience within the past 2 years.
4) Eliminate the ones that are ridiculously priced.
5) Try to plan to attend one per month starting in October and ending in late March.

After steps one through 4 are taken the list becomes very short.

6) Make sure that the season ends at the correct time to be able to plan Banquets, Info Meetings, Try-Outs, Staff Meetings, and Possibly Worlds. Hence the reason we chose USA Nationals for this year. It just Fit.

Of course the schedule below if VERY Tenatative but hopefully it will work out.

cheergyms.com Competition Schedule 0607

Date: Thu May 11 5:14 PM, 2006

USA is definitely amongst those that are non competitive. But everyone has their own interpretation given a list to choose from. I wish cheergyms would go to American Championships because if you want to see how you stack up against the best in Southern CA, that is the place to be.

Date: Thu May 11 5:21 PM, 2006

USA is becoming very competitive. Last year, I believe that 3 full paid teams recieved bids, Small Senior, Small Coed, and Large Coed. Knowing that those bids were given out, a bunch programs/teams are going to be racing to the finish line to see who can get those bids. I, for one, am perfectly content with the fact that we'll be attending USA Nationals this year.

As for JAMZ, yes. My team did receive it's bid from JAMZ, however I did not like the JAMZ set up at all. I believe that JAMZ is a good competition for smaller, less advanced teams, but c'mon now. There were only a handful of level 5 teams at JAMZ Nationals this year.

Bryan

Date: Thu May 11 7:09 PM, 2006

I like the competition schedule... those are all highly compedative competitions!

Date: Thu May 11 7:25 PM, 2006

Bryan, how many Level 5 teams were at USA Nationals last year? I'm too lazy to look.

Date: Thu May 11 8:11 PM, 2006

One thing I have to admit I don't like about the entire world bids issue is this, and I'll use USA Nationals as an example: before competition companies like USA had the chance to give bids, their enrollment was dropping. There were reasons for this. People don't go back for legitimate reasons. But now that they have these prizes dangling in front of the level 5 teams, people are coming back, but not for any other reason than that. Oh, they'll tell you that people would be coming back anyway, but personally I don't buy it. I don't believe for one minute organizations would be flocking back to USA if it weren't for the bids. We went to a USA regional recently and it had the same old problems.

I know some will disagree with me, but others will know exactly what I'm talking about.

Date: Thu May 11 8:22 PM, 2006

FYI, USA was the 1st Association along with NCA, UCA, etc to give bids to Worlds. In 2004, USA gave paid bids to California Allstars Coed and Sr All girl teams and a paid bid to American Cheer. Last year, Texes Lonestar, Champion and American and this year, Californa Allstars Coed and Sr All girl and WC Mavericks. So what's changed. They've been given paid bids to Worlds for the past 3 years. Worlds has only been around for the past 3 years.

Date: Thu May 11 10:10 PM, 2006

Liked Jamz Nationals wrote:

To Cheerleading Fan, I'm not sure what you were reading, but I read mostly positive things about Jamz Nationals in Vegas. Did you go? The only problem was, as the other post said, they were caught unprepared and had too many teams going on the same day/evening, so the awards were way too late. I would guess that problem will be corrected this year.

I haven't seen our competition list, but I'm guessing we'll be going again. USA, we'll pass on that one, thanks. For the many reasons already listed on this message board.

I didn't go this year, but have gone for the past 5 years. Every year its the same. Awards are to long, it cost to much, and there are to many breaks. Their regionals are the worst too. They are just always behind and their judging system is usually kind of off. They would put some random teams in 1st place. I just feel Jamz needs a huge overhaul in organization. I would rather go to USA than Jamz.

Date: Thu May 11 10:14 PM, 2006

USA actually was very competitive this year in some divisions. The small coed team had pretty good teams in it and it was a tough call. The large coed division had CA all stars, so pretty much they are going to win, no matter who else came. Well at least in California. The large senior division was pretty good too with american cheer , desert storm, and a few others.

Date: Fri May 12 6:49 AM, 2006

Maybe the post referred to Northern CA teams. I'm only hearing Southern CA teams mentioned. I know that the last time we went to a USA regional, it started around 11 and was over at 1:00 I think? It was pretty lame, and hopefully we won't be going again this year. Also I remember reading on this board how it was easy to get the USA bid and also people wondered how they were able to give so many bids when they have such a low turnout. Regarding Jamz vs. USA, I've read and heard more positive things about Jamz Nationals than USA. Now Jamz regionals, I agree, it's too expensive, especially for a regional.

Date: Fri May 12 8:15 AM, 2006

To "The Wrong Reasons"

I agree, some teams are going to be going to competitions only because the competition is giving out a bid. Even IF that were the reason that cheergyms.com is going to USA Nationals, I'm wouldn’t be ashamed to admit it. After having been to worlds, I want to go back. I want to go back again, and again, and again. It may not be the greatest competition, and it may not have the best schedule, and it may be too long, but to me; a bid is a bid. If a company is going to be giving out bids, I don’t mind (no matter how much I hate the competition)attending the competition no matter how much it costs, how far away it is, or how many teams are going to be there.

I'm not contradicting myself; I did say that I hated JAMZ. But if I had to stand it, could I? Yes, I could. If being at the worst competition in the world meant receiving or potentially receiving a bid, I could stick it out and attend the freakin' competition.

Desperate? Yes. But if you had been there and experienced some of the things we all experienced in Florida, you'd be desperate too, and I know I'm not the only athlete for Worlds that feels this way as well.

Having that said, what is wrong with USA Nationals? I've been there once, and that was the year I was on FOCUS Small Senior Coed Intermediate (2003-2004). What was wrong with it? I thought it was fine. Maybe it takes someone absolutely and utterly obsessed with cheerleading? I thought it was a fun competition. To me, It was no different than competing at the American Showcase 2 years ago when I was on South Bay Elite Senior Coed Advanced (2004-2005).

What's the big deal?

Bryan

Date: Fri May 12 9:03 AM, 2006

First of all, it's nice to hear someone speak with so much honesty. I like it that some people are not afraid to be perfectly candid, that's what's nice about having an outlet like the message board. I think the point was that if it weren't for the bids, would these competitions do fine on their own? Would they get good attendance, if it were not for the bids? I don't think cheergyms went to USA Nationals the last at least two years, and I know other gyms that have stopped going. But let's not just pick on USA, others are mentioned too (Jamz). If organizations that have level 5 teams that have an opportunity to go to Worlds are going to competitions SOLELY for that reason, it doesn't give any of these competitions any incentive to fix the problems that might bring everyone else back, do you see the point? The teams that are attending are the teams that are trying to get a bid. What about everyone else? I remember the judging at USA being a huge issue, has that improved? I have heard it hasn't. But do they care? Well, why should they, they have teams coming (for that lovely bid) regardless, so why try to make improvements. That is the point I think someone is trying to make, but I could be wrong.