To All,

After many discussions and much thought, I have decided to add an older division of Level 9 to our Regional Championships (Level 9 – 14+).

I am aware that for many meet hosts I may be too late to change your meet format.  GYMS THAT ARE HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED SHOULD CHECK WITH THE MEET HOSTS FOR YOUR MEETS AND SEE IF THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ADD THE NEW DIVISION. (Level 9 – 14+)

There are positives and negatives associated with this decision, and after talking to many of you, I feel the positives significantly outweigh the negatives.

Remember these important items:

1.       You are not required to change anything, your older level 8’s can stay right where they are.

2.       Meet hosts, if you can accommodate the new division, great, if not, we will all understand.

3.       Some meet hosts may not be able to get on board with this change in time to provide this division in their competition, so be prepared to use level 8 rules.

4.       I doubt that other Regions will have this division when you compete out of our Region, so be prepared to use level 8 rules.

5.       Our Regional Championships will definitely have the new level 9 14+ division.

6.       The rules are so similar that competing either one should not be much of a problem.

7.       THE BIG THING IS A 13 YEAR OLD LEVEL 9 WHO IS NOT READY FOR LEVEL 10 DOES NOT HAVE TO GO BACK TO LEVEL 8 ANY LONGER.

8.       THE NEW DIVISION CAN NOT QUALIFY TO J.O. NATIONALS.

If this causes you or your gymnast too much stress, just keep going as you were, this change is an opportunity, not an obligation.

Feel free to contact me for clarification if this email  doesn’t do the job.

Roger Baldwin

Region 1 Chairman