Hello Renegade Families 🌺

We are writing to share an important update regarding our postseason travel plans for this spring.

First – the not so fun news: Varsity released new age-grid rules that require athletes to be 12 to 18 years old as of competition day in March for senior teams to compete at The Quest (or any Varsity even). Unfortunately, these strict age requirements fall right through the middle of our S5 team roster, leaving one of our athletes too old and another too young to be eligible for The Quest in Florida. We reached out directly to Varsity to ask about exceptions, but they are firm on their policy and there is simply no flexibility.

Our athletes work too hard to leave anyone behind, and keeping our family together is non-negotiable. Because of this, our coaching staff evaluated our options, and we have decided to pivot!

Instead of competing at The Quest in March (and replacing our trip to The Pinnacle in Vegas), our Renegades team—and possibly Outlaws and S3 as well—will be heading to Honolulu, Hawaii for the Global Games on May 14 to 16, 2027!

I want to be completely honest with you: I have never even been to Hawaii myself! I realize this is a big deal trip, and this decision is not being made lightly. But we truly feel that keeping our athletes together, protecting the hard work they have put in all season, and giving them an experience of a lifetime is worth every bit of effort to pivot.

When looking into alternative destinations, I had a hard time imagining what this competition would actually look like. But I was instantly so excited when I saw footage of the Global Games that happened just a few months ago. Please watch this video so you can get a good idea of what this event is like: 

A Quick Look at Our Updated Competition Lineup

To make room for Hawaii while keeping travel manageable and cost-effective, we are making a few key adjustments:

• No Vegas Trips This Season: We will not be attending either Vegas event this year (The Pinnacle in May or the February event- however February was not on the schedule to begin with this year). Instead, we are fully committed to Portland in February and March
• Spring Sports Clearance: For our dual-sport athletes, we specifically checked the high school spring calendar. The dates for Hawaii do not conflict with the OSAA State Track & Field Championships later in May, so our track athletes will not have to choose!
  

Why Hawaii is the Right Move

We wanted to make this decision as a coaching staff first so we could present a single, well-researched, and cohesive plan for our teams. Here is why we are so confident this is the absolute best destination for our program:

• Age Grid Fits Our Athletes Perfectly: As far as the age grid goes, we have triple checked, and they allow 11 to 19 year olds for their Senior Level 5 division, which is so awesome! This means our entire roster remains intact. As well as S3 if we do have them compete at this event.
• No Athlete Left Behind: Every single team member, including our graduating seniors, gets to compete, travel, and finish the season together.
• An Unforgettable Senior Send-Off: Doing a second trip to Vegas just does not hold a candle to wrapping up the season in Hawaii. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime team trip and the unforgettable finish our aging out seniors deserve!
• Hip Hop Inclusion: Unlike Varsity, which did not offer a hip hop option, Global Games hosts both cheer and dance divisions, allowing hip hop to compete as well!
• Comparable (and Lower!) Overall Costs: Flights into Honolulu around mid-May are running comparable to, and in some cases lower than, our forecasted travel costs for Florida. Global Games also offers discounted event lodging packages similar to what we had mapped out for Florida.
• More Value for Your Money: Without the heavy price tag of Disney World park passes, overall trip costs should actually end up significantly lower for most families.
• A Top-Tier Event Experience: We have gotten glowing recommendations about the Global Games from industry contacts and a friend of mine who was the photographer and videographer who works the event every year. Global Games offers an incredible stage for our teams.

Bonus Team Fun:

The event hotel : Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort has affordable room package rates for those competing at The Global Games. This resort has Five Pools: Features the sprawling Super Pool, Tapa Pool, Paradise Pool (which features Waikiki’s longest waterslide), an adults-only pool (Kalia Pool), and private tower options.
Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon: A 5-acre saltwater lagoon adjacent to the beach with rentals for water-cycles, paddleboards, and kayaks. Beach Access: Direct frontage on Duke Kahanamoku Beach, known as one of the widest stretches of sand in Waikiki.

Fundraising & Travel Support

We know big travel takes planning, and we are here to support every single family in making this trip a reality.

• More Fundraising Opportunities: We are adding even more fundraising opportunities to help offset costs, and we have a ton ramping up right now! We encourage everyone to take full advantage of these options.
• Athlete Chaperoning & Group Travel: We realize that not everyone can attend as an entire family. If an athlete needs to be sent with another family, we can help arrange that. Additionally, I am personally willing to take and chaperone athletes (as I have to Florida in the past) if needed. No athlete will be left behind due to parent work or travel constraints.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the exact dates of the trip?

The Global Games run from May 14 to May 16, 2027. We will share suggested flight itineraries and arrival/departure dates as we get closer.

Where is the competition held?

The event is hosted at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii right near Waikiki.

How many days is the event?

It is a 3-day event experience. It kicks off with an Opening Ceremony and Cultural Exchange, followed by a 2-day All Levels Cheer and Dance Championship.

Can family members tag along or turn this into a vacation?

Absolute yes! Families are welcome to travel together and extend their stay on either side of the competition dates.

When will we get final travel and booking details?

We have finalized that Renegades, Fugitives, Outlaws and Marshals will be attending the Global Games in Hawaii. For the 2027 packet information please go here: https://globalgames.website/s/2027-Global-Games-Booklet.pdf

Cheerfully, Coach Becky