BCA COMPETITION RULES 2008 Questions Answered What is this migration, and why? The purpose of the rules migration is to aid closer integration with competition standardisation across 45 nations through the International Cheer Union (ICU). See BCA press release of 30 November 2007. The International Allstar Federation (IASF) is the international standard, based on the American United States Allstar Federation (USAF) levels rules.   Our implementation is IASF, naturally, but with some amendments necessary to conform with British duty of care, health and safety, and child protection issues. What is the I.C.U, and how is it different to USASF etc? The I.C.U. is "a registered non profit body and is operated solely to act as the International Federation for the sport of Cheer with respect to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and to be recognised as such by the IOC."   Membership comprises non profit national governing bodies and national federations, with a governing council representing the five Olympic continents. ICU works closely with IASF and USASF. Why has this migration taken time? As stated in November, there has been significant progress in US Allstar rule systems, making full adaptation into UK liability and Duty of Care now possible. Whenever BCA takes responsibility for new developments it is only after carefully considering all the factors, and when all the required standards of safety and duty of care can be fully met.   Those familiar with our events and standards will know the depth of care and risk management we apply.   The welfare of athletes, especially children, is our primary concern. A great deal of unique work has been to done in building structures able to meet UK compliance requirements. What are the changes? Essentially, the three BCA ESP competing levels (novice / intermediate / advanced) are being replaced by five IASF skills levels.   Level 1 is more basic than our Novice, whilst Level 5 goes much further than the previous Advanced. Yes, there are limits, especially for younger children in higher Levels. Dance divisions structure remains the same. Age ranges remain the same, reflecting the much broader make up of British teams, and allowing over 18's to take part without their teams being forced into 'Open' only categories. Will this involve credentialling? Yes, we started USASF credentialling in January at the special introductory event in Bracknell. More credentialling opportunities are coming up. Where can this take us? At the BCA Championships you can already uniquely qualify for Bids to many of the leading U.S. Nationals. At BCA this July you could also qualify for a Bid to Worlds 2009. As an ICU qualifier event you could also qualify for the ICU World Cup next year, and other major international events. What is the policy on floors? Teams should expect to compete on a floor of similar characteristics as the surface they normally train on.   As and when a signiticant proportion of British clubs own full size sprung apparatus we can review this. Please read NFHS Ruling on floors.   On the grounds stated it would be unwise to endorse spring floors at this time. Sprung floors are associatied with with high-level tumbling skills (see above).   Adding an extra 12 feet to the floor is only required for high-level tumbling.   As and when a significant proportion of British teams have more than one or two with such skills we can review this.