Treasure Coast USBC Association
SMART PROGRAM
SMART PROGRAM MANUAL
SMART – How does the program work?
RECIPIENT SCHOLARSHIP USE POLICY
POLICY EXCEPTION
S.M.A.R.T. Misconceptions?
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO BOWL.COM
USBC Youth Eligibility Rule 400 Questions and Answers
Youth Leaders
Youth Leaders are the energy that fuel all of our youth bowling efforts. They are the future of the sport and their growth is an essential part of making bowling successful and expanding the USBC Youth membership. Youth Leader Programs give youth the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and enhance the sport of bowling through promotion, education and involvement.
The best Youth Leaders aspire to win the Youth Leader of the Year Award and the $1,500 scholarship that goes with it. Only two are handed out each year - one to a female and one to a male. One of these two winners, selected in an interview process, will really have a say in what goes on in bowling as he or she sits on the USBC Youth Committee and has voting rights for two years. Each local association with an operating Youth Leader Program should select a male and female each year and enter them into the Youth Leader of the Year competition.
Youth Leader Programs offer enthusiastic, energetic, young bowlers an opportunity to take a leadership role in promoting and expanding bowling while having fun. Youth learn important life skills as they take on future leadership roles. Youth will have a dynamic role in lots of activities at the decision-making level of bowling, including:
- setting goals
- building teamwork
- coordinating and leading meetings
- promoting and recruiting youth bowling programs
- holding fund-raisers
- planning tournaments
- coaching in USBC Youth leagues
- training and mentoring other youth bowlers
- awarding scholarships
If you are interested in starting a Youth Leader Program, contact the Association Relations Department at (800) 514-2695 x3158.
Who are USBC Youth Leaders?
These young bowlers, age 12 and up, are the sparks that add excitement and a sense of ownership to USBC Youth activities. The Youth Leaders program gives youth the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and enhance local bowling opportunities through promotion, education and involvement. Youth Leaders are young bowlers who love the game. They attract others to bowling and make it a better sport.
USBC Youth Leaders can make life-long friends; enjoy fun tournaments and events; enhance leadership skills; build resumes; introduce new people to the sport; and have a positive impact.
For more information on the Youth Leader program call (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3112 or e-mail education@bowl.com.
To get started, take a look at the following application forms, membership materials and program manuals. Click document title to download in PDF format.*
Kids, are you interested in starting a USBC Youth Leaders program? Take a look at this manual: it explains everything that the Youth Leaders program has to offer.
This manual outlines the policies and requirements of the Youth Leaders program.
This document is the mandatory form of local bylaws to be adopted by each local USBC Youth Leaders Chapter and is to be used in conjunction with the USBC Youth Leaders Policy Manual.
Youth Leaders Managers need to complete this report and send it to their local merged association or non-merged youth association for recording into WinLABS.
101 Ways to Promote Youth Bowling
How can we ensure a strong future for the sport?...by running the greatest youth programs on the planet. Here are 101 different activities, opportunities and ideas to get your youth activities noticed.
USBC Youth Membership Eligibility
To be eligible to become a USBC Youth member, a bowler must be no older than 21 as of August 1 of the current bowling season or have been authorized as mentally challenged. USBC Youth members can bowl in USBC Youth leagues and tournaments and be recognized for their accomplishments in these competitions. Membership privileges and eligibility typically run from August 1 to the following July 31, but memberships purchased for spring leagues starting March 15 or later offer extended benefits until July 31 of the following year. Click here for details on USBC membership fees.
USBC Youth members must follow USBC's Youth Eligibility Rule 400, which prohibits bowling for cash prizes or bonds of any amount or merchandise prizes exceeding $500 in value. Buying or selling of earned prizes is not allowed. A USBC Youth member may bowl in adult singles competitions that offer more valuable merchandise prizes or cash as long as, prior to the competition, the bowler signs a prize waiver refusing such awards or the competition organizers agree to substitute comparable scholarship awards for USBC Youth winners.
USBC Youth bowlers may earn scholarship awards of any amount. All scholarship awards earned in USBC certified competition are managed through USBC's SMART program.
USBC recognizes the bowling accomplishments of its members through its national awards program. The emblems, pins, plaques, medals and scholarships awarded from USBC Headquarters are symbolic recognition of USBC Youth members' accomplishments.
Rule 400
Except as provided in Item B, a youth may not bowl, substitute or pace in any bowling activity which offers any of the following as prizes:
Cash or bonds.
Merchandise exceeding $500 in value.
Youth may bowl in singles competitions (including side competitions/brackets) offering such prizes, provided, prior to bowling:
The competition agrees to award the youth’s prize in the form of a scholarship; or
The youth signs a form waiving his/her rights to any prize in violation of this rule.
In youth competition, youth members may participate in side competitions/brackets provided all entries are returned 100% in the form of scholarships only and awards comply with Item A above
Buying or selling of earned prizes is prohibited.
Any youth bowler deemed in violation of this rule is subject to disciplinary action including the potential loss of youth membership.
NOTE: There are no limits on scholarship amounts or entry fees (must be paid directly to the tournament director/manager) and reimbursement of actual travel expenses into the next higher level of competition or any tournament or event. (Receipts must be provided upon request.)
The prizes authorized by a state high school athletic association or a collegiate athletic association recognized by USBC and USBC Collegiate are not subject to the limitations of this rule.
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Home | News | Board of Director | Youth | Registered Volunteer | Calendar | Averages | Rules | Committees | Leagues | Centers | Tournaments | Hall of Fame | History | Awards | Links | World Links | Bowling Tips | Scholarship | BVL | Bowl For The Cure |
400/1
My 20-year-old daughter is still a USBC Youth member, but wishes to join our Adult/Youth league with her younger brother. May she join the league as the adult, or would it affect her eligibility as a USBC Youth member?
The league rules and/or board determine if she can join as the adult. Since the league must follow USBC Rule 400, it would have no effect on her USBC Youth membership.
400/2
What awards can now be given in USBC Youth competition?
In addition to those previously published under Rule 400, bowling equipment, apparel, gift certificates and other merchandise prizes are now allowed. The total value of prizes a youth could receive in any one event cannot exceed $500. Scholarships do not fall under this limitation. (Gift certificates or gift cards cannot be redeemable for cash)
400/3
Can a youth bowl for cash or bonds?
No. Bowling for cash or bonds is still a violation of Rule 400.
400/4
Can a youth bowl in an adult doubles or team event where cash or bonds are offered if the USBC Prize Waiver is signed or the competition agrees to offer scholarships through SMART?
No. Rule 400 only allows youths to participate in adult singles competitions with cash or bond prizes and/or merchandise prizes valued in excess of $500 provided they submit the USBC Prize Waiver prior to participating in such a competition.
400/5
Can bowling centers award items such as free soft drinks, food and free games for bowling accomplishments?
Yes. However, the total value of the awards an individual can earn in any one event, with the exception of scholarships, cannot exceed $500.
400/6
Can a parent or legal guardian purchase a ring to commemorate a youth's 298, 299 or 300 game or 700, 800 or 900 series?
Yes. USBC policy only allows USBC Youth members their parents or legal guardians to purchase the commemorative high score rings. Bowling centers, USBC associations or other parties cannot purchase the rings as awards for their USBC Youth bowlers. This policy is a proactive approach to prevent offering awards that could jeopardize a USBC Youth member's amateur status and eligibility to compete in high school sports.
400/7
What is the maximum amount a youth bowler can earn in scholarships?
There is no limitation on the value of scholarships that can be awarded in youth competition.
400/8
What is the purpose of the USBC Prize Waiver?
The waiver serves three primary purposes. First, it ensures that the USBC Youth member is aware that the event is offering prizes which may be in violation of Rule 400. Second, it provides the USBC Youth member the opportunity to compete in singles competitions without jeopardizing his/her USBC Youth eligibility. And last, it replaces the Parental Consent Form in adult singles competitions.
400/9
Where can we find a copy of the USBC Prize Waiver?
The official USBC Prize Waiver can be found on our web site, bowl.com.
A downloadable copy of this waiver is being sent to all USBC state and local associations, certified bowling centers and certified league/tournament officials. If necessary, you can contain a copy by contacting the Rules Team at (800) 514-2695, ext. 3155.
400/10
Can a league or tournament make up its own prize waiver?
No, only the official USBC Prize Waiver form can be used.
400/11
What competitions can a USBC Youth member compete in by signing the USBC Prize Waiver?
The USBC Prize Waiver is acceptable only for use in adult singles competitions which offer cash or bonds and/or any merchandise prizes valued greater than $500. The USBC Prize Waiver is NOT ACCEPTABLE for use in team (2 or more players) competition including, for example, Adult/Youth team competitions.
400/12
Must the bowler complete this waiver before they start the competition or can the bowler wait until the prize list is finalized before signing the waiver?
Prior to competing the member must complete and sign the prize waiver designating their intent to decline any cash prizes they may qualify for.
400/13
When a bowler signs the USBC Prize Waiver and earns a prize they have waived claim to, what happens to these prizes?
Any waived prizes shall be returned to the prize fund for redistribution to the other eligible participants.
400/14
If I have questions or concerns regarding amateur status/rules in my state, how can I contact my state high school athletic association?
Locate the contact for your specific state by clicking here.
400/15
Some of the teams in my daughter’s league have sponsors who give them bowling shirts and help with other expenses. Is this acceptable?
Yes, however, USBC would prefer the entire league be sponsored so each team is treated the same. Sponsors can cover normal expenses, such as providing team shirts, travel expenses to tournaments, etc.
USBC teams with weplay as founding partner
Weplay, the first online youth sports community that connects kids, parents, coaches and professional athletes, announced a multi-year partnership today with the United States Bowling Congress, the national governing body for the sport of bowling. The exclusive partnership makes weplay the official online community and social network service provider of the USBC.
"Weplay is proud to partner with USBC, the leading organization in the sport of bowling," said Steve Hansen, chief executive officer of weplay. "Programs run by USBC bring millions of bowlers, families and friends together each year. Weplay is all about enhancing and expanding those relationships, so it is a natural fit. Being chosen by a leading organization such as USBC demonstrates the appeal that weplay's communication and marketing platform has for sports organizations looking to not only form deeper connections to their members, but expand their organization's reach."
As a part of the partnership, weplay will provide a social utility platform that will allow any bowler, parent or coach the ability to create a unique profile, connect with each other, share pictures and videos, create blogs and more. Coaches, parents and youth program administrators also can create groups for bowling teams and leagues to facilitate communication, share media and enhance the relationships they make on the lanes. The site can be accessed at weplay.com.
"The weplay site offers tremendous opportunities for youth bowlers, families, coaches, centers, high schools, colleges and program directors," said Brian Graham, USBC's director of youth development. "Having a comprehensive social Web platform will allow our members, volunteers and others in the bowling industry to connect, communicate and share in new and exciting ways. Weplay also provides us at the national office with an additional means of communicating and connecting to our members locally."
About weplay
Weplay is an online youth sports community that provides a safe place for kids, parents, coaches and organizers involved with youth sports to connect, create, share and stay organized. Using the latest multimedia technology, users can create profiles, blogs and fan clubs, play games, "friend" pros like LeBron James, Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning and connect with teammates. Parents and coaches can use weplay to organize their schedules, share pictures and videos and communicate information such as practice dates and changes more effectively. Weplay is fully customizable to the needs of each member and encourages children online to act and achieve offline. Weplay is backed by CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency, Major League Baseball Advanced Media, FirstMark Capital and iconic athletes Jeter, James, Manning, Tony Parker, Shaun Alexander, Ryan Howard, Jennie Finch, Brandi Chastain, Summer Sanders and Sheryl Swoopes.
Visit the weplay USBC online community at weplay.com/usbc.
Youth
