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Because procedures vary from state to state, the following information may be helpful as you make the transition to judging in Florida.
- Please complete the Judges History and Transfer Form - 2019 either prior to or after you move to Florida.
- If you would like to be assigned a mentor to help answer questions during your transition to Florida, please send an email to Mentor Chair and she will connect you with one of our outstanding and friendly Florida judges.
- The FL USAG competition meet schedule for Fall and Spring is finalized in May and then posted on the NAWGJ website. A few meets may be added throughout the year, but they are not qualifiers. Occasionally our surrounding states need judges to help fulfill their meet commitments and the SJD will recommend individuals for those.
- The USAG compulsory meet season is conducted in the fall with state meets conducted in November and December. Many FL meets continue to offer compulsory levels of competition throughout the spring as well. The USAG optional season begins in January and concludes in March/April to coincide with Regional and National meet schedules.
- The assignment of fall meets begins by late July or early August. The assignment of spring meets starts shortly thereafter and is ongoing throughout the fall. If you are moving to Florida after assignments have been finalized, it may be too late for you to be assigned meets for the upcoming competitive season. However, if you fill out your availability, you can be added to the list as a replacement in the event someone has to pull off a meet.
- Florida has a large and active AAU programs. The southern program is generally referred to as “Gold Coast” and competes AAU National rules. Central and North Florida is known as “Team Florida AAU” and the rules are modified (slight) USAG rules. Just like USAG competitions, AAU has a similar season. Gold Coast sessions are usually held in conjunction with an USAG competition, while Team Florida (a bigger program) runs their qualifiers independently and holds both Fall & Spring State Meets. If you wish to judge either of the AAU programs, you will need to join the National AAU. Team Florida judges need an additional membership and they also have a separate uniform. Please read the Team Florida rules and requirements in their handbook.
- Almost all meets in Florida are 2 days in length in the fall and likely 3 days in length in the spring. When you complete your availability on-line, you need to plan to judge the entire 2-3 day weekend, for we do not split assignments.
- All judges in Florida are required to wear the official USA Gymnastics uniform. For further clarification click HERE.
- Assignments to meets are primarily determined by geographic locale, availability and being appropriately rated for the level of competition. The majority of meets are held in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas with some meets hosted in Jacksonville, the Panhandle, and Sarasota/Venice areas. If you live near one of the larger cities, your opportunity to be assigned to meets will be higher because of the larger number of meets scheduled in these areas.
- Meet directors provide hotel accommodations for judges who need to stay overnight. Please review our website to learn more about travel arrangements. Please click HERE to review our NAWGJ Floirda and USA Gymnastics Florida travel guidelines. Mapquest (or similar) printout is required for all mileage reimbursements including AAU.
- Meet Directors and Booster Clubs in Florida have a tradition of providing outstanding meals and hospitality for judges. Virtually all meals are provided on site with the exception of those that occur during travel time.
- Region 8 requires judges who wish to be considered for regional and national assignments to complete at least 9 clock hours of in-gym time with athletes competing at the same level as the competition assigned. The form and instructions for recording in-gym hours may be found on the Region 8 website and due the end of April each year.
