F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Review and Update

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N Competitive Cheerleading Sport Season August 10, 2009 – February 13, 2010

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N Rules & Regulations All NFHS Spirit Rules as found in the NFHS Spirit Rules Book are applicable. A complete list of FHSAA Rules & Regulations are available at

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N FHSAA Championship Specific Rules & Regulations can be found at: Once on the Competitive Cheerleading page, click on Manual.

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N FHSAA Championship Score Sheet Information can be found at: Under Manual

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N FHSAA Championship Coaches Requirement - In order to participate in the FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championship, all Head Varsity Coaches must be: AACCA Safety Certified

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N AACCA Courses Available For a list of Available AACCA Safety Courses in 2009 visit the AACCA website listed below: Or Contact: Michael Blosser

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N 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 youre entered! Commitment to Participate

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N 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 schools FHSAA Representative. Official Entry List Due Date: Monday, December 14, 2009

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N 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!

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N 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, If your Team Data Form & Photo are not received by the date listed above, your school may be: Assessed Financial Penalties Prohibited from Participating

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N FHSAA Championship Date of Championships: February 5-6, 2010 Site: Silver Spurs Arena (Kissimmee) Hosted by: Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N 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!!!

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N 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 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.

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N 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 from Advisory Panel Members 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 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.

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N 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 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.

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N 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.

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N Frequently Asked Questions How many squads 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 in the spring, can a school still hold their try-outs in the 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)

F L O R I D A H I G H S C H O O L A T H L E T I C A S S O C I A T I O N QUESTIONS? Contact: Jamie Rohrer Director of Athletics (352) ext. 440