US National Adaptive Abilities and Special Olympics/Abilities Teams

The US National Adaptive Abilities Teams and the Special Olympics/Abilities Teams are a makeup of athletes from a geographical area and are selected through an application process. Applications and video submission are due September 15, 2023. Not all team applicants will be interviewed.

Teams compete at the International Cheer Union (ICU) World Cheerleading Championships.

US National Team Selection process for the selection of the 2024 US National Adaptive Abilities and Special Olympics/Abilities Teams will be by a video entry. Those interested in applying for the coaching position are encouraged to represent an area (ex. Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc.) to allow for as many athletes that may be interested to try out and participate. Video entry must use athletes that would potentially be on the team and only those that meet the age requirements. Special Olympics teams must meet specific rostering requirements for Special Olympics Sport specific teams.

To apply for the US National Adaptive Abilities or Special Olympics/Abilities Teams, the submission process will consist of the following:

  • Complete an online application. 
  • Submit an interview and skills video by September 15, 2023.
  • Coach interview process (Not all team candidates will be interviewed).

Video Requirements–

Each video must ONLY include athletes who will be eligible for the 2024 competition (age explanation below).

Sections are required in the following order:

ALL- Interview:

  • 60-90 second introduction about yourself and the area you will be representing. Please explain the potential makeup of the team, potential coaches and any pertinent information. In addition, explain why you feel you should be selected as head coach for the youth or junior program.

ALL- Community Service Projects (15 sec Max):

  • Event participation – show variety of events athletes/team attends. Fundraisers, Walk/Runs, Sports Games Performance, Expos, etc.
  • Multiple groups recommended but not required

Cheerleading and Dance Teams:

  • Skills Section 1: Please submit a YouTube skills video link of a routine within the 2023 competition year.

Requirements for Submitting Video:

To be eligible for consideration, submit your video no later than Friday, September 15, 2023 via YouTube video link. Please follow the link below for instructions on how to create video link if you have not done this before. It is our recommendation to make it a private link. https://www.lifewire.com/making-youtube-videos-1082488

Ages for Competing:

For ICU, all members of the teams must be age 12 years of age and older within the year of the 2024 World Championships. Any team proven to be in violation of the ICU age requirements will be automatically disqualified.

*PLEASE NOTE: If the athlete is 11 years old on Jan 1, 2024 but turning 12 in the year of 2024, they will qualify for the team even if they turn 12 years of age, after the competition in April.

Disabled Sports Divisions

Adaptive Abilities 

The Adaptive Abilities Division is for Median and Advanced Level cheer and dance (performance cheer) teams who are comprised of at least 25% of athletes with primarily physical disabilities using the IPC/ICU Impairments list as a guideline. Male and female unified athletes ages 12 and older. 

Special Olympics and Special Abilities Division

The Special Olympics and Special Abilities Divisions are for cheer and dance (performance cheer) teams who are comprised of at least 50% of athletes with an Intellectual disability (ID) using the Special Olympics/ICU definition as a guideline. Male and female athletes ages 12 and older. Teams may be unified (athletes with and without disabilities) or traditional (100% of athletes on a team have an ID). 

The categories a unified or traditional team can apply for are as follows:

  • Cheerleading
  • Performance Cheer Pom
  • Performance Cheer Hip Hop

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

What are the dates of the 2024 ICU World Championships?
April 23, 2024 USA Cheer Showcase
April 24, 2024 – ICU Opening Ceremonies
April 24 & 25, 2024 – ICU Championships
April 26, 2024 – ICU Closing Ceremonies

What size squad are you looking for to compete?

The ICU Championships allow a minimum of 16 athletes up to 24 athletes on the competition floor.

How old do I have to be to compete?

For ICU, all members of the team must be at least 12 years of age (depending on the category) within the year of the World Championships. Any team proven to be in violation of the ICU age requirements will be automatically disqualified.

If chosen, what is expected of my team financially?

Teams will be responsible for all expenses. Items that go into costs are, but not limited to: Coaching expenses, transportation, hotel, competition fees, athlete uniform and apparel package, and food. USA Cheer has fundraising ideas and a platform to assist your team with their efforts. You are welcome and encouraged to do fundraisers at home with your schools/programs but there will be set guidelines on what you are able to do for fundraising. Estimated costs for everyone are approximately $1200- $1500 per athlete.

Is there a membership requirement?

Every coach representing the US is responsible for a USA Cheer coach membership and every athlete is required to obtain a USA Cheer athlete membership with age verification. This ensures safety training, athlete protection training, concussion training, background screening and age verification.

When will we find out about the US National Team decision?

Team selections will be announced as soon as possible after the selection process. No later than 2 weeks after the video entry deadline. Once selected, you have a max of 48 hours to accept, or USA Cheer has the right to move on with another team.

USA Cheer will coordinate Directors and Judges to assist with Team Selections. Weekly communication is required in this process.

If chosen, what is expected of my team?

Once selected, USA Cheer will set up dates to video chat with a member of our coaching staff to work on choreography for the ICU routine alongside your current coaching staff.

What dates will my team have to be in Orlando, FL?

Teams must travel in two to three days before opening ceremonies to Orlando, FL for mandatory practices and the USA Cheer Showcase, leading up to the Opening Ceremonies.

*Please Note: USA Cheer reserves the right to individually select a team to represent the US National Team if there are a small number of teams that apply. In addition, if submission entries lack the skill level to be competitive, a team may not be selected. We also reserve the right to appoint a team if the selection panel finds that submitted teams lack in any or all areas to be competitive. Note, not all ICU Divisions will be entered and not all applicants will be interviewed.