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Youth Program Changes
The USBC Board of Directors, based on recommendations by the USBC
Youth Committee, approved several major changes to the structure of
current USBC Youth programs. As participation in youth sports is on
the rise in America, the changes set forth for USBC Youth programs
will attract more youth bowlers to participate in certified league
play.The changes will affect how memberships are processed, offer a
new short-season membership product, restructure the awards program
and lower the maximum age for youth bowlers.
FAQ's
Standard membership
Q: What benefits come as part of the USBC Youth Standard
membership?
A: The
membership will cost $17 and be available to all youth who bowl in
USBC certified leagues or tournaments. Benefits include:
-
USBC Youth Membership Card
-
Four (4) issues of US Youth Bowler
-
USBC recognized average
-
USBC Youth Awards Program
-
League award emblems
-
Access to the USBC Youth Purchasable Awards program
-
The ability to participate in USBC certified tournaments
Q: Can a USBC Youth Standard member bowl in a USBC Youth
Basic league without paying the $5 USBC Youth Basic membership fee?
A: Yes.
USBC Youth Standard members can participate in USBC Youth Basic
leagues with no additional membership charge. However, only awards
listed as benefits for USBC Youth Basic leagues will be provided for
accomplishments in that league.Q: Can a USBC Youth Standard
member bowling in a USBC Youth Basic league earn high score award
emblems/honor score rings?
A: No.
The USBC Youth Basic membership/league is a distinct league program.
Only the limited awards program provided to USBC Youth Basic leagues
will be available for any scores bowled during USBC Youth Basic
competition.Basic membership
Q: What benefits come as part of a USBC Youth Basic
membership?
A: USBC
Youth Basic Membership will cost $5 and be available to all youth
who bowl in a league that meets for 12 sessions or less. Benefits
include:
-
USBC Youth Membership Card
-
One issue of US Youth Bowler
-
USBC recognized average
-
The ability to participate in USBC certified tournaments
-
USBC Basic League award emblems (high game, series, average,
champion and most improved average)
-
Access to the USBC Youth Purchasable Awards program
Q: Can a USBC Youth Basic league participate in the Pepsi
Tournament?
A: If a
USBC Youth Basic league competes during one of the league-level
qualifying windows for the Pepsi tournament, the league members are
eligible to conduct qualifying competition. In states that do not
hold league level qualifying, ALL USBC Youth members, Standard and
Basic, will be eligible for these direct entry events.Q:
Will USBC Youth Basic averages be "official"?
A: Yes.
Averages established based on nine or more games in USBC Youth Basic
leagues will be acceptable for entry into USBC Youth tournaments in
accordance with Rule 318. However, only averages based on 21 or more
games will be recognized as official as stated in the USBC
Association Policy Manual.Q: Will USBC Youth Basic averages
be posted on bowl.com?
A: Yes.
The youth bowler average information will be available on bowl.com.Q:
Does the USBC Youth Basic member pay the $5 USBC Youth Basic
membership fee for each league in which they participate?
A: Yes.
The USBC Youth Basic membership is paid for each USBC Youth Basic
league in which the bowler competes. For example, if the player
would compete in two USBC Youth Basic leagues at the same time or
during the same season, the $5 USBC Youth Basic fees would be paid
by the bowler in each league.Q: When does the USBC Youth
Basic membership expire?
A: The
USBC Youth Basic membership is valid for the duration of the
specific league. In addition, the USBC Youth Basic membership will
be recognized for tournament competition for the entire season in
which it was purchased.Q: Can a bowler purchase a USBC Youth
Standard membership through a USBC Youth Basic league?
A: No.
Only USBC Youth Basic memberships and membership benefits can be
issued through a USBC Youth Basic league.Q: Can a 16-session
league certify as a USBC Youth Basic league?
A: No.
The USBC Youth Basic membership program is limited to league
competitions that are 12 or fewer sessions.Q: Will a bowler
in a Basic League be able to receive score award emblems?
A: Only
the limited award program provided to USBC Youth Basic leagues will
be available for any scores bowled during the competition. However,
USBC Youth Basic leagues have the ability to provide a supplemental
awards program by utilizing the USBC Youth Purchasable Awards
program.Awards
Q: How does the processing agent order award inventories?
A: The
Processing Agent will order award inventories through the Youth
Membership Processing Program. Initial start-up inventory orders
will be determined based on league size. Additional award
inventories will then be available for ordering in incremental
packages.Q: Will the new High Score Awards cause high school
eligibility issues?
A: USBC
Youth members have the obligation to be aware of any restrictions
that might be in place by his/her high school athletic associations
and might affect any outside competitions they could compete in or
limitations on awards that they may earn. USBC has taken this issue
into consideration and, by working with our vendors, can now provide
youth awards that meet the eligibility limits of most states. In
those limited instances where there might be a conflict, bowlers
will have the option to decline the provided USBC Youth award for a
given accomplishment to prevent an eligibility issue.Q: Can
my child win two 50-game awards during the same season?
A: No.
USBC Youth awards are limited to once per season for the same
accomplishment.Q: If my child earns a 200 series award, can
they later earn a 150 series award?
A: No.
Once a player has earned a USBC Youth Award for a specific
accomplishment, they are only eligible to receive the next highest,
or the highest award, for future accomplishments. Using the example
above, once the player has earned a 200 series award, the next award
they could earn would be the 250 or higher series.Q: Can my
13-year-old who just started bowling earn the 50-game award?
A: No.
USBC Youth awards for bowlers 13 and older begin with a 125 game and
a 300 series. Under the USBC Youth Awards program, the 13 year old
bowler would not be eligible for a 50-game award.Q: What is
a "Qualifying Average"?
A: The
established averages that determine eligibility for USBC Youth
Awards are listed in Rule 53 which states:The following applies to
any award earned based on average:
a. League: 1.
If 12 or more games have been bowled in the league in the current
season, use the current average.
2. If less than 12 games in the current season, use last season's
final average for 21 games or more from the same league.
3. For a new bowler in the league with less than 12 games, use last
season's highest USBC average for 21 games or more in any USBC
league.
4. For a bowler who has not established an average in the preceding
season, the highest USBC average of 21 or more games from the summer
league just completed shall be used.
5. In a summer league, when a bowler has not established an average
in the preceding season, the highest USBC average of 21 or more
games from the regular season just completed shall be used.
6. A new bowler in a league who has not bowled 12 games in the
current season can use a current USBC average of 12 or more games
from another league.
7. A bowler who does not have an acceptable USBC average for
comparison is not eligible for recognition.b. Tournament: 1.
In handicap or classified tournaments, compare the score with the
USBC average used in the tournament.
2. In scratch tournaments:
a) Compare the score with the bowler's highest current USBC average
of 12 or more games.
b) If less than 12 games in the current season, compare the score
with the preceding season's highest USBC average for 21 or more
games.
c) A bowler who does not have an acceptable USBC average for
comparison is not eligible for recognition.
By determining which situation applies to the bowler, you are able
to determine what standard is used to determine the bowlers
"qualifying average."Q: My child averages 50. Can he/she
earn the 50-game award?
A: No.
The USBC Youth Awards Program requires the player to have a
Qualifying Average that is less than the accomplishment. For
example, in order to earn a 75 game award, the player must have a
qualifying average of 74 or less. In order to earn a 250 series
award, the player must have an average of 83 or less.Q: My
child averages 49. Can he/she earn the 100-series award in a 2-game
league?
A: Yes.
The USBC Youth Awards Program requires the player to have a
Qualifying Average that is less than the accomplishment. To
determine the maximum Qualifying Average for an accomplishment,
simply divide the series award by the number of games bowled in the
series.Q: Can my 8-year old earn the 150 game award, even
though it is not Bowlopolis-themed?
A: The
USBC Youth Bowlopolis themed awards stop with the 125 game award.
When a player earns an award that exceeds the available award
limitation of the Bowlopolis themed awards, the standard USBC Youth
award will be issued.Dues
Q: How can USBC approve a dues increase on the youth without
a convention vote, but the adult increase must be approved by the
delegates?
A: Youth
dues, along with youth awards, league and tournament rules are under
the authority of the USBC Board in accordance with Article VIII of
the USBC National Bylaws.Q: Why is USBC proposing a delay
for any dues increase for the adults due to the economy, but
establishing a dues increase this year for the youth?
A: The
decision making process that is in place for youth matters through
the USBC Bylaws allows for an efficient and expedited process to
address significant issues. Without the immediate implementation of
these programs and the dues increase to support them, USBC believes
the continued slide of USBC Youth membership will continue at an
unacceptable drastic rate.Age limit
Q: Why not announce the change to begin a few years from now
so bowlers can prepare for the change?
A: Delaying
the change in the maximum age for USBC Youth eligibility only puts
off addressing the key issue of adults bowling as USBC Youth
members. Whether it is this year or in the future, the change will
at some point be implemented and affect a group of bowlers.USBC's
goal is to create a more comfortable environment for youth bowlers
and their parents. Allowing 21 and 22 year olds to participate in
youth leagues and tournaments, winning scholarship money at the
expense of the youth bowlers, does not promote a kid-friendly
environment.By adopting a standard of 20 as the maximum age for USBC
Youth eligibility, USBC is able to offer enough flexibility to
provide USBC Youth opportunities for our members through their high
school years.Q: If a bowler is 20 years old at the start of
a season, are they eligible for the entire season?
A: An
individual who turns 20 on or after August 2 of the current bowling
season will be eligible for USBC Youth membership for the entire
season. As long as the individual is 19 on August 1, he or she will
be eligible for USBC Youth membership for that bowling season.Q:
Is USBC aware that it could be hurting junior tournament
organizations which get many 21- and 22-year-old entrants?
A: Tournaments
have the ability to adopt rules defining who is eligible to
participate in competitions. Tournaments can limit participation to
youth only, adults only or adopt eligibility rules allowing USBC
Youth members and USBC Adult members to participate. For example, a
tournament could allow 21-year-old USBC Adult members and adopt a
rule as follows: "This tournament is open to all USBC Youth members
and USBC Adult members age 21 and younger."Such a rule would have
the effect of allowing those that are no longer eligible for USBC
Youth membership to participate, provided they were USBC Adult
members and under the age of 22.Q: Can someone run a
tournament in which 21- and 22-year-olds can still win scholarship
money?
A: There
has never been a USBC rule that limited competition for scholarships
to USBC Youth members only. Any tournament, youth or adult, has the
ability to offer scholarships as the prizes. Historically, there
have been few tournaments run exclusively for adults that offered
scholarships as prizes. This could be an untapped market for
tournament managers.Membership delivery and services
Q: Who determines how memberships will be processed?
A: As
the host of youth activities, the bowling center proprietor will
have the first option to be the Processing Agent. If the proprietor
declines this option or prefers to work through a local association,
then the local association would have the option to perform those
duties. If the local association chooses not to perform those
duties, USBC will utilize the Alliance At Large program for the
completion of duties listed in the Processing Agreement.Q:
If a proprietor decides to process memberships, who will handle all
the other association-based responsibilities for those bowlers once
those memberships have been processed?
A: The
Processing Agreement consists of three (3) components:
1) Membership Processing. This will consist of the input of data
into the Youth Membership Processing Program and the submission of
membership dues to USBC.
2) Youth Awards Processing. This will consist of the input of data
for all scores eligible for recognition under the USBC Youth Awards
program into the Youth Membership Processing Program.
3) Final Average Submission. This will consist of the input of final
average information for all participants in USBC Youth certified
competitions into the Youth Membership Processing Program.
These three (3) responsibilities are the only duties that would be
removed from the associations list of responsibilities for centers
that choose to process directly with USBC. All other duties listed
in the USBC Association Policy Manual remain.Q: Who does the
proprietor call if a bowler has questions about services?
A: Support
questions will go through the USBC Call Center at 1-800-514-2695 ext
3431.Q: If most/all proprietors in an association process
their own memberships and the local youth association shuts down,
who will service the remaining bowlers?
A: In
the past, if a local youth association chooses to discontinue
operations, USBC would seek to transfer the responsibilities of the
local association to another association within the area. This
policy remains the same.Q: What happens when the proprietors
change their mind the following year after the youth association has
disbanded?
A: USBC
would work with the local adult associations to provide these
services.Q: How can the local association be expected to run
a tournament if most or all of its dues are being collected by the
proprietor?
A: USBC
tournaments are designed to be self-sustaining through the funds
generated by the entry fees. Many associations subsidize their local
events through their fund-raising efforts. The importance of being
able to raise funds through other means will increase and
associations will be encouraged to be innovative in their efforts to
raise funds to support the programs they seek to offer.Q:
What will happen to extra youth program benefits such as travel
leagues that were previously funded out of local dues?
A: Our
research indicates the vast majority of travel leagues are funded by
the bowling centers and not a subsidy of the local association. The
importance of being able to raise funds through other means will
increase and associations will be encouraged to be innovative in
their efforts to generate revenue to support the programs they seek
to offer.Q: How does USBC explain reducing the processing
fee for locals, when national dues are going up?
A: USBC
records show that most local association currently charge $2 or less
in local association dues to youth members. These associations have
determined this amount is sufficient to fund their entire
operations.The increase in dues for the USBC Youth standard
membership will go directly to providing new additional member
benefits. Some of these new elements are ready to be rolled out
immediately. This includes a new awards program that provides 300
game and 800 series rings, as well as special awards for children
ages 12 and under. Additional components of the new youth program
are still being finalized that will create significant value for
parents, kids, associations and proprietors making USBC
certification a more attractive option for everyone. We will be
announcing these additional components soon.Q: How will the
locals receive member information if a portion of membership in
their association is processed by proprietors?
A: Local
associations will have the ability to access the membership
processing records of all the bowlers within their jurisdiction and
create reports of this information as needed.Q: Who runs the
local tournament if most or all of the proprietors in an association
are processing membership?
A: The
requirement of the local associations to conduct an annual
championship competition for its members remains as it is stated in
Chapter 4 of the USBC Association Policy Manual.Q: Will the
proprietor use WinLABS to process membership?
A: As
part of the overall changes to the youth program, USBC is developing
a Web-based system (not WinLABS) that will allow USBC Youth
membership, awards and averages to be processed. This system will be
available to make it easier for the bowling centers and the local
associations to handle the required processing duties.Q: Why
would USBC take away the membership processing from local
associations that are doing a good job with their bowlers?
A: There
are many successfully-functioning local associations across the
nation, but the data indicates in some pockets of the country USBC
Youth membership is not being serviced well. For that reason, the
USBC board voted to develop a program that gives youth bowling
leagues a way to certify directly through the bowling center. We
anticipate this option will generally be utilized in areas where the
local association has had trouble or is disinterested or ineffective
in managing youth programs. |
