Q1 Why are there new rules?
A1 It has been noted that the quality, particularly of the grade 1 set routines, falls short of elite in some age groups. This is especially true where a grade 2 competitor has achieved the qualification to compete at grade 1 in a lower age group. The change in complexity from grade 2 under 15 to grade 1 under 18 is considerable.
Q2 What do we hope to achieve?
A2 We hope to achieve a better standard of grade 1 performance by asking a competitor to gain a validation score (23.5) on the relevant set routine (see A5 below) prior to moving to grade 1.
Q3 Do I need to re-qualify as I already have
a grade 1 qualification score valid for 2003?
A3 Not unless you compete at grade 2 in
2003. You will then have to comply with the new qualification rules.
Q4 How do I qualify for grade 1 after
January 1st 2003?
A4 You must…
i)
have
qualified for grade 2 National Finals in your current age group
ii)
achieve
a validation score from the grade 1 validation panel in the relevant age group
(see Q5 below)
Q5 What is the "relevant" age
group for me?
A5 The relevant age group routine for the
validation panel is the one at which you wish to compete at grade 1. e.g. if
you are currently under 15 but under 18 next year you will need to compete with
the under 18 grade 1 routine to move up to grade 1 next year.
Q6 I have been downgraded from grade 1, what
do I do.
A6 You may compete for the validation panel
with the relevant set routine for 2003 (see answer 5 above) at the October 2002
grade 2. If you achieve the validation score from this panel you may compete at
grade 1 in 2003. If you fail to gain the score or do not compete in October you
will be downgraded to grade 2 and need to achieve qualification as per A4
above. If you decide to compete at
grade 2 again next year you may retain the validation score, but will also need
to qualify for grade 2 National Finals in order to return to grade 1.
Q7 How long will the grade 1 validation score
last?
A7 For Under 15s and below it is valid for
the age group for which it has been obtained. For under 18s and over 18s the
validation score is valid for the age group for the season in which it is
obtained and the following year.
Q8 Can I still enter Grade 2 Nationals if I
have qualified for grade 1
A8 Yes
Q9 How do I gain the validation score for
grade 1?
A9 You need to enter the grade 1 validation group at a grade 2 competition.
Q10 Is there a grade 1 validation
group at every grade 2.
A10 Yes.
Q11 I have not qualified for National Finals
and my age group does not compete/finish until late in the day. Can I still
gain a validation score?
A11 Yes. The validation
panel will sit during the day and you may be timetabled to compete the grade 1
set before your grade 2 competition. There should not be any cross jumping. You
will only be eligible for grade 1 when you have gained both the grade 2
National finals score and the grade 1 validation score. They do not need to be
gained at the same competition.
Q12 HELP! I got the validation score for grade
1 as above but did not qualify for grade 2 Nationals that day.
A12 Do not worry; try
again for the grade 2 Nationals qualification within the season.
Q13 I have qualified for grade 2 National
Finals. Can I just compete in the validation group.
A13 Yes, see also Q14 to
Q16.
Q14 How do I enter the validation
“competition”?
A14 Your coach will enter
you on the entry form.
Q15 What is the closing date for the validation
competition?
A15 The same as for the
grade 2 competition at which you wish to compete before the validation panel.
No late entries or substitutions will be accepted.
Q16 What will it cost?
A16 It will be free if you are
also competing in the grade 2 competition that day. Otherwise it will cost £5
per entry, normal entry rules payment rules apply.
Q17 Will it be like a competition?
A17 Yes in that there will
be 2 warm ups, a controlled and compete as normal but there will not be any
placings or medals. There will be 2 rounds of set routines and you must gain a
score of 23.5 on either of these routines to receive the validated tariff sheet
as proof of your achievement, but see also A11.
Q18 How will it appear on the programme?
A18 The group(s) will be
timetabled like other competitions. The age group jump order being decided by
the remainder of the day’s competition timetable. Every attempt will be made to
avoid cross jumping.
Q19 Does the club need to offer “extra”
officials for the validation panel?
A19 Hopefully not, the
validation panel will be part of the competition organisation as usual but if
there are a lot of entries just for validation e.g. October we may need to ask
for extra official.