I have heard from a few different people that next year cheerleading is going to be changed to pure grade (1st graders have to cheer with 1st graders). For years it has never been like that and I'm wondering why everyone is trying to change it now. Can people just leave things alone!! Does it really hurt anybody or anything having different grades cheer with different grades? Can someone explain to me the reasoning behind wanting to have this changed?

Actually they stand to lose money by doing this.

I think that the squads are getting too big, 30+. Coaches are having issues with 1st graders with say 4th graders. The age groups require different coaching styles and you end up with girls at very different physical ability levels. A 5 year old can not handle the jumps etc that a 10 yr old can, and so on. I think its for safety reasons, among others.

It sucks for multi-kid families, but you wouldn't expect your 4th graders basketball team to allow your 1st grader to play for convenience sake.

I'm not a cheer coach, learned this by attending AYSA meetings....something all Anna parents should make the effort to do.

Crazy, right? Can you imagine what one might find at a City meeting?

I do think there are flaws with the complete change. There are ways around it. If there are so many girls that are too young for the older squads, why not make a second squad that cheers at the older kids games? Heck that would lead to a mighty fine pot of cash. I dont even care about Cheer, but would point this out at a meeting. Imagine what a caring parent could do!

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