The US National Youth and Junior Teams are comprised of some of the most talented athletes in America aging from 12 – 18.

Youth: 12-14

Junior: 15-18

Teams compete at the International Cheer Union (ICU) World Cheerleading Championships each April in Orlando, FL. US National Youth & Junior Team Selection process for the selection of the 2023 Hip Hop and Pom Teams will be a video entry. The Hip Hop and Pom teams must consist of a minimum of 16 and maximum of 24 members. Each team can have up to three coaches.

To apply for the US National Youth or Junior Team, the submission process will consist of the following:

• Complete an online application (coming soon)
• Coaches must have a USA Cheer dance coach or professional membership to apply.
• Select coaches may go through interview process (Not all candidates will be interviewed)
• Submit an interview and skills video via email to dance@usacheer.org
  *Please see routine/skills video requirements and formatting:
  1. Each video must ONLY include athletes who will be age eligible for the 2024 competition.
  2. For all Pom submissions, each athlete must wear all black (or matching apparel), hair pulled back, preferably no loose clothing. (Tanks and biker shorts are ideal to showcase legs and technique.)
  3. For all Hip Hop submissions, each athlete must wear all black (or matching apparel) and have hair pulled back.
  4. Videos must follow the format below. Any videos not following this format will not be eligible for consideration for the US National Youth or Junior Team.

Video Requirements– Three sections required in the following order:

1. Interview: A 60-90 second introduction about yourself and program. Please explain the potential makeup of the team and any pertinent information. In addition, explain why you feel you should be the selected team; your strengths, what you are able to bring to the table, your experiences, etc.
2. The routine: This section is for you to showcase the routine in its entirety or, at least, a healthy bulk of the routine you will be competing with. (ie. Hip Hop or Pom)
3. Highlight/Skills Reel: This section can be up to 1 minute highlighting a variety of additional skills and tricks that may not be in the routine yet. *Please note that different technical skills might be allowed than what you normally compete with. Take advantage of reading rules and legality info.

Requirements for Submitting Video:

To be eligible for consideration, submit your video no later than Friday, November 3rd, 2023 to dance@usacheer.org 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 Youth team must be between 12 -14 years of age within the year of the Youth World Championships; all members of the Junior team must be between 15 – 18 years of age within the year of the Junior World Championships. Any team proven to be in violation of the ICU age requirements will be automatically disqualified.

*PLEASE NOTE: If the athlete is 14 years old on Jan 1, 2024 but turning 15 in the year of 2024, they will qualify for the youth team even if they turn 15 years of age, before the competition in April. In the same instance- this athlete age example would also be eligible for the Junior division. Another example: if the athlete is 11 on Jan 1 2024, but turning 12 in the year of 2024, they are still eligible for the youth team. Last example: If the athlete is 18 on Jan 1, 2024 but turning 19 in the year of 2024, they are still eligible for the Junior division.

Download our Age Check Excel Spreadsheet (right-click and select “Save As…”)

Expectations for Selected Teams:

• Teams will be responsible for all expenses. Items that go into costs are, but not limited to; transportation, hotel costs, competition costs, uniform/costume updates, athlete apparel packages, & 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 school/program but there will be set guidelines on what you are able to do for fundraising. Estimated costs for everyone are approximately $800- $1200. (This range is estimated due to the flight costs from different cities.)
• Team selections will be announced as soon as possible after the selection process. No later than 3 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. It is highly recommended that you seek all approval from appropriate admin prior to applying.
• USA Cheer will coordinate dates for the Director of Dance to come in and work directly with your team and finalize the routine/s. All members are required to be at this practice.
• Weekly communication is required in this process.
• Teams must travel in at least the day before opening ceremonies to Orlando, FL.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• USA Cheer Showcase – Tuesday April 23rd 2024. (Typically starts around 6PM. Teams may travel in this day depending on flight times, etc. All teams will get together at the hotel and have a showcase or show off for fellow athletes and families. This is a time to be able to support all teams and get a performance under their belt before competing.)
• ICU Opening Ceremonies & Junior World Championship Semi Rounds– Wednesday, April 24th 2024
• ICU Junior World Championships Finals and Premier Semi Rounds– Thursday, April 25th 2024
• ICU Premier World Championship Finals and Closing Ceremonies – Friday, April 26th 2024

*Please Note: The Director of US National Teams for USA Cheer reserves the right to individually select a team to represent the US National Junior Team if there are a small number of teams that apply. Additionally, 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. Finally, USA Cheer reserves the right to extend a team into a consecutive season based on ability, the programs historical success, and coach’s leadership.

What are the dates of the 2023 ICU World Championships?

April 24, 2024 – ICU Opening Ceremonies
April 24, 2024 – ICU Youth/Junior Championships Semis

April 25, 2024 – ICU Premier Championship Semis and Youth/Junior Finals

April 26, 2024 – ICU Premier Championship Finals

April 26, 2024 – ICU Closing Ceremonies

*Youth/Junior will compete two days just like premier teams

When do I need to submit my application and video entry?

Youth/Junior Teams: No later than Friday, November 3, 2023 at 7 PM Eastern.
Premier Teams: No later than Monday, Feb 5, 2024 8 AM Eastern.

Can my organization/team enter in more than one category (i.e., Jazz, Hip Hop and Pom)?
Yes, you may enter in more than one category.

Who can apply for US National Jazz, Hip Hop and Pom Youth, Junior, & Prmeier Teams?
Any dance team, school, organization, or crew can apply. There are age requirements for each. All members of the Youth team must be between 12 -14 years of age within the year of the Youth World Championships. All members of the Junior team must be between 15 – 18 years of age within the year of the Junior World Championships. All members of the Premier teams must be 16 years or older within the year of the World Championships and a current US Citizen. Any team proven to be in violation of the ICU age requirements will be automatically disqualified.

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 3 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. It is highly recommended that you seek all approval from appropriate admin prior to applying.

If chosen, what is expected of my organization/team?
If chosen to represent one or more of our teams, you will be held to a high standard. You must hold additional practices with your organization/team, have an allotted time that director of dance can come in to help assist with choreography/cleaning/overall routine updates, and keeping your athletes in shape.

If chosen, what is expected of my organization/team financially?
All travel and competition costs for participants and coaches must be paid by your team/organization. USA Cheer can help set up a platform for fundraising to help your team. This gets family, friends, and the community involved to help donate for your team to represent the USA. You are welcome to do additional fundraisers at home with your organization/team. Estimated costs for each individual are anywhere from $800 – $1200. (Items that go into costs are, but not limited to flights, rooming, food, and any costume updates/changes.)

What dates will my organization/team have to be in Orlando, FL?
Depending on flight times, you could travel to Orlando by Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024. The ICU Championships will be April 24 – 26, 2024.