Participating in the National Championships

Checklist/Procedure for Teams/Squads that will participate in the AYF/AYC National Championships

1. Complete all mandatory paperwork. Prior to competing in a sanctioned qualifying Regional of Conference Tournament, ensure each player, their respective guardians, all volunteers and all associations have completed all of the items in the mandatory forms packages and have had them certified by their Regional representatives.

2. Qualify. To qualify for the National Championships you must participate in a regional championship or a sanctioned qualifier.

3. Register. Register your team/squad via the National Competition On-line Team Registration form at (MYAYF.com). You must complete the registration form in full and pay the registration fee. Details and due dates are listed below. Upon completion of the on-line registration form, each team will receive a unique Team Booking Code. Registrations from teams that have not been approved by the AYF Football Commissioner/AYC Cheer Commissioner/ or a sanctioned AYF Regional Host are not be eligible for the event.

4. Book in an Approved Hotel. Cheer teams must stay, for the duration of the event at one of the AYC-approved hotels and provide the Team Booking Code assigned to your team at the end of the registration process (step 3). For a detailed explanation of this process and hotel options see the HOTELS page. For football teams the stay-to-play policy will be reinstated for 2025.

5. Universal  Islands of Adventure Night Out Party.  All rostered participants of all cheer, step and dance teams, other than Division 8u and Inspiration division teams are required to purchase tickets to attend the night our party.  Invoices will be issued to teams shortly after they have registered for Nationals.  Instructions for modifying invoce amounts based on participating in multiople divisions are outlined in the emailed invoice package. Tickets are $100, plus fees, per person, which includes a $25 food voucher.  FAQs can be found on the Tickets page. Once all teams have purchased their tickets, tickets on a limited basis, will be made available for purchase by friends and family.              

6. Arrive. Arrive in Orlando for cheer, step & dance and Naples for football, in time for the allotted Check-in Day. All participants must be in attendance at team check-in. All teams must have completed paperwork/ID's and Team Books and have had them approved and certified by the Regional Representative. Head Coaches must attend the mandatory coaches meeting in their respective sport.

7. Compete. Compete In the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Your behavior effects everyone around you. As a participant or spectator, we demand that you exhibit sportsmanship and be gracious, win or lose. In addition to playing rules, you are required to be respectful to others. We have adopted a code of conduct for behavior on and off the field, to which you are expected to adhere.

Players should exhibit and display sportsmanship both on and off the field.

Coaches are expected to set an example for their players and parents and respect the decisions of officials and field marshals. It is the coaches responsibility to control his players and parents both on and off the fileds.

We expect parents, guardians family members and all spectators to be respectful of eachother, the facilities, their surroundings and the hotels that are accomodating our event.

AYF has a zero tolerance policy for behavior that does not represent our beliefs and code of conduct. Behavior in contravention to these expectations and beliefs may result in immediate removal from any of our facilities.

Forms

Football

Divisions

NOTE: Any “Sweat Down” or Extreme” weight loss used by a player to make weight will be grounds for immediate suspension for the players own safety.

Any Coach, Administrator or Team Personnel found to have advised, encouraged, or tolerated any “Sweat Down” or “Extreme” weight loss techniques will be grounds for immediate suspension. Suspension will be anywhere from one year to permanent depending on severity. Head Coaches will be held responsible for the actions of all team personnel.

Jersey Requirements: All Teams are required to bring TWO (2) jerseys. One dark jersey for all home teams, and teams designated visitors will wear white jerseys. If a team doesn’t have two (2) jerseys, they must notify AYF headquarters, prior to arriving, so special arrangements can be made.

Wilson AYF Football Usage: The Wilson AYF logo'd football is the Exclusive Football of AYF Tournament and Competitions. All Games will be played with this football, each team will receive a game ball on-site or they can use their own Wilson AYF football.

Find AYF Official Rules in the AYF Rules and Regulations Manual. Rule Books can be downloaded at www.MYAYF.com.

8th Grade All Star Game: The AYF 8th Grade All-Star Game. Players will be selected from AYF leagues throughout the world. AYF will be actively scouting and selecting players who are participating at Nationals. If you would like to be considered, please contact your AYF Regional Director. For more information.

Cheer and Dance

Requirements for Participation Booking rooms in an AYC approved hotel pursuant to the stay-to-play policy and purchasing tickets to the Universal Island Of Adventure "Night Out" Party are requirements for all rostered participants for participation in the 2024 AYC National Championships. 

Divisions

AYC teams participating in the regional and national competitions will need to declare a team’s skill division before the start of the fall competition season.

The AYC National Rulebook can be downloaded at www.myayf.com.