The US National Premier Dance Teams are comprised of some of the most talented teams in America with athletes of the age of 16 and older.

Teams compete at the International Cheer Union (ICU) World Cheerleading Championships each April in Orlando, FL. US National Premier Pom, Hip Hop, and Jazz Team selection process for the 2024 US National Teams will be a video entry. The Hip Hop and Pom teams must consist of a minimum of 16 and maximum of 24 members. The Jazz team must consist of a minimum of 18 and maximum of 24 members. Each team can have up to three coaches.

To apply for the US National Premier Teams, the submission process will consist of the following:

• Complete the US National Team online application (applications are now closed.)
• 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:
  • Each video must ONLY include athletes who will be age eligible for the 2024 competition.
  • For all Pom and Jazz submissions, each athlete must match in the same color and or costume. (Such as all black, hair pulled back, preferably no loose clothing. Tanks and biker shorts are ideal to showcase legs and technique. Your costume may also be worn in video.)
  • For all Hip Hop submissions, each athlete must wear all black (or matching apparel/costume) and have hair pulled back.
  • Videos must follow the format below. Any videos not following this format will not be eligible for consideration for the US National Premier Pom, Hip Hop, and Jazz Teams.

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, Pom, or Jazz)

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 Monday, February 5^th 2024 @ 8AM Eastern Standard Time, to dance@usacheer.org via YouTube video link. The selection committee will be meeting at 8AM. Any applications submitted but never sent in a video, will not be considered. 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 premier team must be 16+ years of age within the year of the World Championship. Each member must be a US Citizen to compete. Any team proven to be in violation of the ICU age requirements will be automatically disqualified.

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.)
• All coaches and athletes will need to obtain a USA Membership if selected. (Coaches must have one to apply for the US National team and if team is chosen, your entire team will also go through this process. The fee is $35 per person.
• 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 23^rd (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 24^th 2024
• ICU Junior World Championships Finals and Premier Semi Rounds– Thursday, April 25^th 2024
• ICU Premier World Championship Finals and Closing Ceremonies – Friday, April 26^th 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

When do I need to submit my application and video entry?
Youth/Junior Teams: No later than Friday, November 3^rd at 7PM Eastern.

Premier Teams: No later than Monday, Feb 5^th 8AM 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 23^rd, 2024. The ICU Championships will be April 24 – 26, 2024.