USASF's BIG changes 😳
Removal of Worlds divisions, changes of the age grid & how does this affect international teams?
Another Monday = another newsletter! We're thrilled to *again* welcome tons of new subscribers who have joined us since last week 🫶
Today, we have a jam-packed newsletter filled with BIG updates that we’ve tried to explain as simply as possible.
So grab a snack, sit back, and enjoy the latest news!
Summary of this week:
USASF age grid & rule changes explained
Removing Senior Open level 6 divisions
Athletes must be 18+
Does this affect international teams?
NCA schedule, live stream & info
Latest results & bids
Here’s how many of you have been “grand champions”
Team of the week
& more!
USASF age grid & rule changes explained
The USASF (learn what it is here) held a webinar for members only, talking about changes for the 2023-2024 season.
There were several changes, but two of them stood out: the removal of Senior Open level 6 divisions, and that athletes on International/Open teams must be 18+ years old.
Let's take a closer look at the changes & what they mean!
⚠️ First of all, it doesn't seem that the changes are final yet. Previously, changes have been suggested & later adjusted based on feedback from the cheer world.
Removing Senior Open 6 divisions
This suggests completely removing the senior open (Senior Open, Senior Open Small Coed & Senior Open Large Coed) divisions for level 6 teams.
Teams in open divisions will have to move either to International Open divisions (which will be 18+, more details later) or Senior divisions (up to 19 years old).
U.S. teams currently competing in open divisions include Cheer Athletics Wildcats, Top Gun Revelation, Maryland Twisters F5, Woodlands Elite Generals, Spirit of Texas Reign, Cheer Extreme SMOEX, The California Allstars Aces & of course many, many more around the world.
18+ on International/Open teams
This would require ALL athletes on Senior Open (levels 4-5) and International Open (levels 6-7) teams to be over 18 years old.
Today, most Open/International Open Worlds divisions allow for athletes of 14 years and older. The divisions have no maximum age limit, meaning other athletes on the same team can be as old as they want.
Considering that the divisions have no maximum age limit, this is likely meant to separate athletes of adult age from younger athletes.
The change would no longer allow for athletes under 18 to be on ANY Senior Open/International Open team - keeping the divisions 18+ only.
Does this affect international (non-U.S.) teams?
At this time, these changes do not affect international teams from outside the United States.
It’s been (barely) communicated by the IASF (learn what it is here) that those teams are not affected by the age grid changes, and that their age grid will remain the same. At least for now.
See all changes & official documents
We could go on and on about these changes and people's opinions on them, but the newsletter would be too long…
Find the official documents (age grid & rule changes) here - under “2023-2024 Season - Early Release“. This video also outlines the changes:
NCA schedule, live stream & info
The biggest cheer competition in the world is almost here!
NCA All-Star Nationals takes place on February 24-26 in Dallas (Texas) where thousands of teams will compete.
Latest results & bids
The weekend might not have felt like the biggest competition weekend, but the next few weeks will be packed with big events 🫣
Some of the events that took place were Varsity Canada Atlantic Showdown (Canada), Coastal at the Coast (Maryland), UCA High School Nationals (Florida), and Twist Cheer Comp (Sweden).
Among the teams who took home full-paid bids to Worlds were CJA Bombshells and Charlotte All Stars Teal.
As always, we can’t cover all events, so these are only a few of the results & bids! For more of the latest results, we recommend CheerTheory & Varsity TV.
See the Twist Cheer Comp results here:
If you think we missed anything important/fun (from anywhere in the world), reply to this email & tell us so we can include it next time!
This week’s...
Most popular article: Quick Guide: What Does "Hit Zero" Mean In Cheerleading? 0️⃣ We'll explain the meaning of “hitting zero” & why it sometimes causes confusion... Read here.
Most popular quiz/poll: Here Are 10 Pink Uniforms - Which One Is Your Favorite? 👚 Vote here!
We want to feature YOUR team! Click here to fill out the form for a chance to be featured in a future newsletter 💙
Poll of the week: have you ever won/been “grand champion“ at a competition?
46% said not yet
26% said once
28% said multiple times
Follow our Instagram (@the.cheerbuzz) to vote in the next poll!
Before you go...
Here are some things we think you’ll enjoy!