US Junior "Dance" Teams Must Qualify For Worlds By Video Submission

After the announcement of the new selection process for awarding At Large bids to US Junior Cheer teams, was announced, many of our event producers and gym members felt the USASF needed to make the the selection process for the US Junior Dance team Worlds bids the same as "Cheer". The USASF Board of Directors felt the justification is not any different for Junior Dance Teams.

After weighing out all of the pros and cons, the USASF Board of Directors felt that this new selection process, for awarding At Large bids to US Junior teams, was the best compromise and a necessary change that will be in the best interest of the industry and it's future here in the US because:

1. Most US event producers, offering Worlds bids, and their customers they have heard from, say they do not want Juniors at Worlds!



WHY?

a. The high costs associated with it for young athletes followed by the effect they have experienced from some parents not wanting to keep their kids in the gyms after spending so much money going to events to earn a bid and attending Worlds.

b. There will be less of a burn out effect and the younger kids will stick around because they will have something to look forward to on a Senior team.

c. Some feel the Worlds is an unhealthy environment with the younger teams mixed with the senior aged and young adult athletes.

2. This will have a very positive financial impact for many of those teams who have traveled to

to multiple Worlds Bid qualifiers and then to the Worlds.

3. Gyms that want to send a Junior team to Worlds have the choice to compete by video entry and not feel pressured to go to Worlds after they receive a Worlds bid at a U.S. qualifying event.

4. There will be an opportunity for U.S. Junior Teams at Worlds for the other countries to compete against, which is what the International teams "really" want.

The NEW Bid process for Junior Dance Teams:

I. US Tier 1 and 2 Companies WILL NOT be permitted to award "any" of their allocated 2010 Dance Worlds Bids to "any" Junior Dance teams.

2. Any U.S. Junior Dance team that would like to receive a 2010 Dance Worlds bid to compete in the International Junior Dance Division may still do so, but only by video submission. They will have to submit a video of their routine by January 15, 2010.

3. The USASF Selection Committee will select a Worlds caliber judging panel to

select the top 3 U.S. teams in the International Junior Dance Division to represent the U.S. at the 2010 Dance Worlds. These teams will be awarded At Large Bids on or before February 1, 2010.

4. All additional video qualification details will be written in The 2010 Dance Worlds General Information posted on the usasf.net website in early July.

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility regarding this new structure for U.S. Junior teams and the 2010 Dance Worlds.