Over 700 Coaches weigh in on the cheer age grid for the 2011-2012 competition season.

Memphis, Tenn., (March 16, 2011) – The USASF has announced cheer age grid changes for the 2011-2012 competition season. The new cheer age grid outlines the divisions, age guidelines, team sizes and crossover restrictions that are relevant to cheer teams for the upcoming season.

For the USASF, this marked a new procedure for cheer age grid changes.  In an unprecedented process of rules meetings and discussions, the USASF met with more than 700 all star coaches during five regional meetings nationwide to develop rules and age grid proposals for the 2011-2012 season. With over 50 proposals on the slate, coaches and event producers worked tirelessly to come to consensus on each topic.

Elaine Pascale, owner of World Cup All Stars and Chairperson of the National All Star Coaches Congress of the USASF, is optimistic about creating ways to include coaches in the decisions that are crucial to their businesses. “I’m so proud of the coaches who volunteered their time to help make our sport better. “It’s great that we can test these rules for one, short competition season. Next year, we’ll have more information and statistics help us make the right decisions, especially as far as crossovers and team size.”

Many coaches appreciated the new approach towards transparency of the decision-making process. “The process was a great compromise between the coaches and the event producers in what each group thinks is best for the continued growth of the all star world, which is our shared goal,” says Happy Hooper, owner of the Ace All Stars and member of the USASF Board of Directors. “And I think next year, it will be even better.”

 “The decisions we made together were a compromise to help address the needs and wishes of the gyms, the coaches and the athletes,” says Courtney Pope, owner of Cheer Extreme and member of the USASF Rules Committee. “I’m excited by any steps we can take to increase both competition and participation at any level.”

“Having voted and participated in the process, I am confident explaining the new rules to parents and my staff,” says Cherokee Greendeer of the Green Bay Elite All Stars. “As a smaller gym owner, making sure my voice is heard is so important. We represent a lot of this industry, and I’m happy to be a part of the decisions going forward.”

The USASF and its committees will be re-addressing the cheer age grid for the 2012-2013 season, and welcome feedback from coaches, gym owners and event producers. Cheer level rules and the glossary of terms for the upcoming season will be forthcoming.  A copy of the 2011-12 cheer age grid can be found at www.USASF.net.

About the USASF

The U.S. All-Star Federation (USASF), based in Memphis, Tennessee, is the not for profit governing body for all star cheer and dance. The mission of the USASF is to maximize the number of participants benefitting from the positive life experiences of all star cheerleading and dance by developing competition rules and training guidelines consistent with the best known safety, educational and ethical practices. To learn more about the USASF, visit www.USASF.net.