The Open Championship series does not require membership in a cheer membership organization and therefore, all teams including those who compete “NA” with Jamz/YCADA, independent gyms & studios etc are welcome to compete in the OCS divisions. Valley of the Sun allows programs who compete NA, YCADA… to utilize the closest corresponding age division and age exceptions will be made for these teams to compete in Prep/Elite divisions. These teams are not eligible for bids to the ASWC nor included in OCS Rankings (unless the team’s age fit within the specified age brackets. )
Competitive Rec is for programs affiliated with organizations such as Pop Warner, AYFF etc.
DIVISION COMBINATION
If there are fewer than 3 teams in school or traditional rec divisions, ability levels and age divisions may be combined. Please note that teams will be scored based on their registered ability level with corresponding difficulty and technique. For instance a novice team with superior difficulty for level and technique would score higher than an advanced team with sub-par difficulty and low technique scores.
Competitive Rec/Performance Cheer/Non-Affiliated Rec Divisions
We recognize that different rec/independent programs may have their teams structured under varying divisions and organizations. In order to streamline the varying divisions that exist and in support of the programs who have built their teams around varying age parameters, we will be offering blended divisions. While our standard divisions follow the Open Championship series, teams may register with the corresponding age level. For instance YCADA 14u would be equivalent to the Junior age division. Please note that if you plan to compete at end-of-season OCS competitions, their set age divisions and program definition would apply and all team members ages must fit within those parameters.
Division Combination: Competitive Rec /All-Star
In the interest of providing more flexibility for depth in divisions, Competitive Rec or NA teams will be combined with Prep or Elite teams if there are fewer than 3 teams in either age/level category. Competitive Rec teams must meet the program definition here. The PREP scoring rubric will be used in combined divisions; and division combination varies by event.
Generally speaking, teams that normally compete as Elite may not compete in stand-alone Competitive Rec divisions but will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
DANCE
Tiny - 6 & Younger
Mini-9 and younger
Youth-12 and younger
Junior-15 and younger
Senior - 18 and younger
Open - 14 and older