How to apply to become Team England representation at the ICU World Cheerleading Championships 2022

TEAM ENGLAND REPRESENTATION AT THE ICU WORLD CHEERLEADING CHAMPIONSHIPS BY AN ALLSTAR ADAPTIVE ABILITIES TEAM

APPLICATION INFORMATION

This season SportCheer England are tendering out the opportunity for an Allstar team with an existing Adaptive Abilities Cheer team to represent Team England in the Adaptive Abilities Cheer division at the ICU World Cheerleading Championships 2022.

In order to apply you will be required to submit the following documentation:

· An application form

· Confirmation that your team is able to meet the ICU eligibility (including, but not limited to age of athletes, team size, disability athlete ratios)

· Confirmation of ability to travel to Florida for the championships in April 2022 (dates tbc)

Shortlisted teams will additionally be required to submit:

· Video footage of the team in action

· Confirmation of appropriate policies, qualifications, insurance, staff DBS checks

Applications will be assessed by an independent panel – details of which will be announced in the coming weeks.

MORE ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Allstar Adaptive Abilities team selected to represent England at the ICU World Cheerleading Championships 2022 will be managed and coached by the Allstar team’s regular coaching staff and managed by the regular team’s management, supported by SportCheer England. 

SportCheer England will provide assistance to the team in aspects relating to Team England branding, acquiring uniform and apparel, social media and ICU team application processes (including Adaptive Abilities specific aspects such as WADA compliant TUE forms).

The Allstar Adaptive Abilities team selected must additionally agree to their training and competition process forming part of a wider development project being undertaken by ParaCheer International and SportCheer England next season into best practice, policy, procedure for the national Adaptive Abilities Cheer team. This may include, but not be limited to, ParaCheer International and SportCheer England attending their training sessions, being asked to complete questionnaires and evaluation forms and potentially coaches and athletes contributing to informal discussions on their training process. (NB: individual consent will be sought from participating athletes)

To meet the criteria for selection, the management and coaches of the selected Allstar Adaptive Abilities team must agree to attend specific training required by SportCheer England of all its national teams, including (but not limited to) Safeguarding and Data management. Your team will also need to ensure that your policies (including Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and data management) are in line with those produced by SportCheer England for the national teams. (Publication of any policies not currently on our website, including Code of Conduct and Whistleblowing policy will be published by the end of July).

All national team positions (management, coaches and athletes) are voluntary, and as such, teams must be prepared to cover the cost for flights, accommodation, athlete fees etc for the event.

The division levels available within the Adaptive Abilities division are either Median (equivalent of IASF Level 3) and Advanced (equivalent of IASF Level 4) https://cheerunion.org.ismmedia.com/…/ICU_WC_Rules_2021…

ESSENTIAL

· Established Adaptive Abilities Team meeting the minimum ICU disability criteria.

· Minimum 16 athletes (14 years or older during the year of competition)

· Minimum 25% athlete ratio with disabilities meeting the ICU disability criteria (https://cheerunion.org.ismmedia.com/…/ICU_WC_Rules_2021…)

· Ability to perform an appropriate level of stunts safely (minimum ICU Median)

· ICU rules and regulations comprehension

· Appropriate policies meeting SportCheer England’s standards

· Level appropriate coaching qualifications

· Insurance

· Enhanced DBS checks and references for all staff

· First Aid trained staff available on-site during training

· Must commit to SportCheer England led Safeguarding training, Data management training, and ParaCheer International’s Disability Confidence Training for Cheerleading

· Ability to travel to the World Championships

· Management and coaches must be in regular communication with, and able to work effectively with SportCheer England and the other TE teams’ management, as well as agreeing to work and maintain regular communication with those partners in our best practice development project.

· Good communication, administration, timekeeping

· Ability to self-fund the team or secure appropriate funding

· Experience taking a team to a competition or event

DESIRED

· Previous experience with Adaptive Abilities/ParaCheer divisions at ICU

· Training in disability awareness

· Training in mental health First Aid

· Experience taking your Adaptive Abilities team to a competition or event

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON SELECTION CRITERIA

Priority will be given to established Adaptive Abilities teams who fulfill the above criteria. In defining “established”, consideration will be given to the number of years your Adaptive Abilities team has been running, how often you have been training during that time and whether you have attended any events

Disability Criteria: SCE follows the lead of the UK Government on the definition of Disability. “A Severe long-term impairment to the persons day to day activities”, we further encourage that the impairment should impact their ability to participate in Cheerleading activities.

To request an application form please email sportcheerengland@gmail.com

Check out our documentary where to film Team England Adaptive abilities on their journey to world