Athletes 1st is an initiative focused on the overall well being and development of All Star athletes that involves owners, coaches, parents and the athletes themselves in making sure athletes remain at the center of All Star. This all-encompassing focus on the athlete, including sport safety, safety while training, minor athlete abuse and misconduct prevention, and athlete personal development allows All Star athletes to remain safe while participating in an activity they love while developing skills that extend well beyond practice or rehearsal. By creating programs and resources that touch on each of these facets, the USASF strives to keep All Star athletes protected, and therefore able to uncover life skills within themselves that will last beyond cheer and dance.
The USASF develops, and maintains through committee, rules based on progression and age-appropriate development in order to protect athletes and provide uniform safety considerations.
Athlete safety during practice is a pillar of the Athletes 1st initiative and therefore the USASF underscores the importance of member clubs employing Qualified Coaches. These coaches must have education or be trained in teaching skills, physical development, conditioning and injury prevention. All cheer coaches must meet credentialing requirements set forth by the USASF.
In All Star athletes develop tenacity, a positive work ethic, an understanding of the importance of teamwork, and so much more. But off the practice or performance floors the USASF strives to bring athletes leadership training and enrichment opportunities that will reach all facets of their lives — even after they finish their All Star journeys.
An important component of Athletes 1st is the support of clubs and all they do to put athletes at the center of their programs. The adherence to the following policies is one way clubs protect their athletes:
The support of parents in paramount to the positive athlete experience in All Star. By providing resources to parents, such as the parent newsletter and follow up materials to our leadership offerings, Athletes 1st provides a framework for parents to understand how to value their child’s All Star experience, replacing the reliance on winning with the understanding of the life skills All Star provides.
The U.S. All Star Federation (USASF) has a mission to support and enrich the lives of our All Star athletes and members. We strive to provide consistent rules and safety guidelines, drive competitive excellence and promote a positive image for the sport. The USASF credentials coaches, certifies legality officials and sanctions events - all with the goal to provide the safest possible environment in which athletes may train and compete. Founded in 2003, we are a not-for-profit corporation established in Tennessee and governed by bylaws, officers, a board of directors and fifteen standing committees.
