Large information for dancers of all talents! The U.S. All Star Federation has introduced that starting in April 2027, The Dance Worlds and The Cheerleading Worlds competitions in Orlando, FL, will embrace Distinctive Athletes from DanceABILITIES and CheerABILITIES groups, respectively. These teams, which highlight people with disabilities, beforehand competed in their very own occasion: the Distinctive Athlete Worldwide Championship. However now, the EAIC will likely be dissolved, and all groups affiliated with USASF may have the possibility to compete for a title on the annual Worlds competitions.
In line with an e mail from USASF director of communications Melissa Smuzynski, which means that DanceABILITIES groups will obtain the “identical awards expertise, medals, and globes as different rivals at The Dance Worlds.” They are going to be judged in accordance with a brand new Distinctive Athlete rating sheet, which will likely be posted together with the opposite Worlds rating sheets on USASF’s web site.
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Dance Mania’s DanceABILITIES competing on the 2026 EAIC. Picture by Motion Moments, courtesy USASF. -
Stingray Allstars Ohio’s Velocity Rays competing on the 2026 EAIC. Picture by Motion Moments, courtesy USASF. -
Dance Savannah’s Honey Dippers competing on the 2026 EAIC. Picture by Motion Moments, courtesy USASF.
A USASF press launch states that the eligibility replace is a part of the group’s ongoing efforts towards fostering inclusion and accessibility inside its occasions. Vanessa Vail, chairwoman of the USASF Distinctive Athlete Committee, wrote: “We’re proud to take this subsequent step towards a world championship the place each athlete has the chance to be seen and celebrated for what they create to our sport.”
groups can discover eligibility and qualification necessities on The Dance Worlds web site. (Distinctive Athlete bid functions embrace submitting a video from a sanctioned competitors.)
Better of luck to you all!
