Coaches Age elegibility

[lilgymmie7]

Hello,
I was wondering if any U.S. coach could help me. My DD is right now a 6 years old level 5, but she will turn 7 by the time state competition roles around. I asked her vault coach today about a meet that she is scheduled to compete the weekend of her birthday. I questioned whether she would be allowed to compete the meet if her day and time is on Friday when her birthday is on Saturday.
She thought that since she will be 7 by State then she probably is eligible to compete the entire season starting in November-The Judge's Cup. Yikes. DD's other two coaches were at Hi-Tech camp and she said she has to wait for them, but she will find the answer a.s.a.p. I guess I am just a bit anxious. Does any body have knowledge about age elegibility in Illinois for 6 yo level 5s? Thank you in advance!

 

[gymnut1]

I seem to remember that the USAG rules state that the childs age at state determines the age band they compete in for the season. However to compete a level the child must be the mimimum age required on the day of the meet. So a level 4 must be 6 on the day of the competition, a level 5 must be 7 on the day of the competition.

So no I don't think your child is eligable to compete the day before her birthday. But I have heard coaches sometimes ignore that rule and put kids in anyway. If someone reported you she could be disqualified.

If it was me I would enter her and send a letter explaining your predicament. Ask for a session on her birthday and if that is not possible ask if she may compete as a guest this time.

She definitely is not eligable to compete level 5 when she is 6 earlier in the season. It creates very bad feeling among other parents if rules are ignored and people can get quite upset. As your dd is quite well known on youtube you might well get noticed!!

Good luck to her when she does turn 7 and is allowed to compete. Im sure she will do just great!

 

[lilgymmie7]

Thanks Gymnut1 for your response. No, I don't think it's worth to enter her early and risk her being disqualified. Her coaches/gym would never NOT do anything by the book. This is why their program is so strong. I looked at the meet in question site and noted that the childA time was on Sat. last year, hopefully it will be the same this year!
Boy, Youtube sounded good at the time. I hope it doesn't come back to haunt her in her gymnastics. Thanks again!

 

[gymnut1]

My fingers are crossed that it is the Saturday! She should have a great birthday! And Good Luck!!