FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Review 2009-2010

1. 2009-2010 FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Review and Update FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

2. 2009-2010 Competitive Cheerleading Sport Season August 10, 2009 – February 13, 2010 FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

3. Rules & Regulations • All NFHS Spirit Rules as found in the 2009-2010 NFHS Spirit Rules Book are applicable. • A complete list of FHSAA Rules & Regulations are available at www.fhsaa.org. FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

4. FHSAA Championship Specific Rules & Regulations can be found at: http://www.fhsaa.org/ch/ Once on the Competitive Cheerleading page, click on “Manual”. FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

5. FHSAA Championship Score Sheet Information can be found at: http://www.fhsaa.org/ch/ Under “Manual” FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

6. FHSAA Championship Coaches Requirement - In order to participate in the FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championship, all Head Varsity Coaches must be: AACCA Safety Certified FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

7. AACCA Courses Available For a list of Available AACCA Safety Courses in 2009 visit the AACCA website listed below: www.aacca.org Or Contact: Michael Blosser mblosser@uca.com FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

8. Commitment to Participate You must be “Committed To Participate” in FHSAA Competitive Cheer, in order to compete at the State Championships. Please have your Athletic Director complete and submit the AT12 form, to add the sport if he/she has not done so already! All competing schools are listed on the FHSAA website under Competitive Cheerleading, then State Series Assignments. Please check the website to be sure that you’re entered! FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

9. Official Entry List The Official Entry List must be generated via iFHSAA. This list is more specifically, a “squad roster” of all eligible participants, to be completed by your school’s FHSAA Representative. Official Entry List Due Date: Monday, December 14, 2009 FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

10. Official Entry List Cont. If changes are made to the Official Entry List after the due date, there will be a $50 fee for each change that is made. All changes must be submitted to the FHSAA using Form AT8. However, changes should not be necessary as the form is unlimited as to the number of eligible student-athletes that may be listed! FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

11. Team Data Form & Photo Each school will be required to submit a Team Data Form & Team Photo for the Official Souvenir program. The Team Data Form & Photo are due to the FHSAA Office No Later Than: Wednesday, December 16, 2009. If your Team Data Form & Photo are not received by the date listed above, your school may be: Assessed Financial Penalties Prohibited from Participating FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

12. FHSAA Championship Date of Championships: February 5-6, 2010 Site: Silver Spurs Arena (Kissimmee) Hosted by: Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

13. FHSAA Championship Format of Championship: There will be a semi-final and final round for each division. Both rounds for a given division will be held on the same day and all events will take place at the same location. The schedule for the championship will be created once all entry lists are received! Do not be late submitting entry lists!!! FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

14. Changes Being Considered by the Competitive Cheer Advisory Panel Region/Section Qualifiers: FHSAA to host Region/Section Competitions as qualifiers for the State Championships. The FHSAA Staff is to determine the regions/sections following the same guidelines as it uses for all other FHSAA sports, based on geographic area and number of teams competing. The target date for this recommendation would be effective for the 2010-11 school year so the recommendation could be read an acted upon by the Athletic Directors Advisory Committee as well as the FHSAA Board of Directors at least once. This amended recommendation is to be fast-tracked. FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

15. Changes Being Considered by the Competitive Cheer Advisory Panel Region/Section Qualifiers: The Panel unanimously voted to approve the recommendation 9-0.          a) Number of qualifiers: The panel left this up to the FHSAA Staff. FHSAA would make assignments based on geographic location and will accept any ideas or comments regarding this topic via e-mail from Advisory Panel Members (jrohrer@fhsaa.org).          b) Number of advancing teams from region/section to state semis and semis to state championships: The panel left this up to the FHSAA Staff. Ideally, there would be approximately 20-24 teams advancing from regions to state in each division. Divisions: Divisions are currently divided by the size of the squad, which is quite controversial. Competitive Cheer is the only sport that does not classify based on school enrollment. Larger schools are at an extreme advantage due to the size of their student body. This is causing many small schools to be discouraged and to possibly not compete. FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

16. Changes Being Considered by the Competitive Cheer Advisory Panel Divisions Based on School Enrollment FHSAA to create divisions based on school enrollment. However, the school will have the option to compete as tumbling squad, a non-tumbling squad or a co-ed squad. Therefore, there would be a maximum of 5 divisions, which are as follows: 1A Non-Tumbling (All Girl – Max 26 female squad members), 2A Non-Tumbling (All Girl – Max 26 female squad members), 1A Tumbling (All Girl – Max 26 female squad members), 2A Tumbling (All Girl – Max 26 female squad members) and Co-Ed (1 or more boys on a squad, max 26 squad members). The FHSAA Staff is to determine the 1A and 2A Classifications following the same guidelines it uses for all other FHSAA sports, based on school enrollment and number of teams competing. The target date for this recommendation would be effective for the 2010-11 school year so the recommendation could be read an acted upon by the Athletic Directors Advisory Committee as well as the FHSAA Board of Directors at least once. This amended recommendation is to be fast-tracked. FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

17. Frequently Asked Questions Coaches – It is important that you discuss this information with your Administration. Your own school policies may differ from some of the answers given below. Do all member schools have to participate?No. Each member school has the option to participate if they so choose, as is with any other sport. How much will the sport cost? Entry is FREE!!!! Can participating schools still compete in outside competitions, such as UCA Nationals, Jamfest, State Fair, etc? Yes, as long as the event is held within the said sport season. FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

18. Frequently Asked Questions How manysquads can participate in the Championship from a given school? One (1) Varsity Squad. Can a J.V. Squad participate in the Championship? No. FHSAA state series contests are open to varsity competition only. If try-outs are usually held inthe spring, can a school still hold theirtry-outs inthe spring? Tryouts can continue to be held in the spring as long as those individuals trying out are bonafide students of your school. Additionally, try-outs & try-out procedures will all be on a school-by-school basis. Are we still going to be able to attend summer camps? Yes. (FHSAA Policy 20) FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION

19. QUESTIONS? Contact: Jamie Rohrer Director of Athletics (352) 372-9551 ext. 440 jrohrer@fhsaa.org FLORIDAHIGHSCHOOLATHLETICASSOCIA TION