General

Any Vaulter may compete in the Grade where the Vaulter is registered and/or graded and one Grade higher, except for 1* and 3*.  A Vaulter may only compete in 3* if they have sufficient points in 2* and if the Vaulter is 16 years old and onwards. A Vaulter may only compete in 1* from their 12th year or at the discretion of the National Judges Committee.

Where a Vaulter competes in a Grade higher than in which it is registered/graded, all grading   points   are   awarded   to   the   Grade   in   which   the   Vaulter   is   currently registered/graded.

No National grading points are awarded in E Grade.

No National grading points are awarded for Pairs (Pas-de-Deux) or Squads. An E Grade Vaulter may upgrade to D Grade at any time.

When an E Grade vaulter competes in D Grade and achieves more than 2 points in D Grade can no longer compete in E Grade and will automatically be upgraded to D Grade.

A Vaulter requires 5 points in D Grade to upgrade to C Grade.  When a Vaulter has reached 20 points in D Grade he/she will be automatically upgraded to C Grade.

A Vaulter requires 5 points in C Grade to upgrade to 1* (the Vaulter also needs to be in his/her 12th year or at the discretion of the National Judges Committee).  When a Vaulter has reached 20 points in C Grade he/she and he/she fulfils the age requirement, he/she will be automatically upgraded to 1*.

A Vaulter requires 5 points in 1* to upgrade to 2*. When a Vaulter has reached 20 points in 1* the Vaulter will be automatically upgraded to 2*.

A Vaulter requires 5 points in 2* and must be 16 years or older to upgrade to 3*. It is our recommendation that all Vaulters in 2* (between the age of 16 to 21) rather compete in 2*YV before upgrading and competing in 3*.

An individual Vaulter may not compete in more than 1 Grade at any one Event (except for
SANESA Events which are run according to SANESA rules).  This is not recommended unless
the parent/coach is very confident of the Vaulter’s abilities at the higher level.  It is suggested
that wherever possible the Vaulter should wait for the maximum number of points before
upgrading.

Grading points shall only be awarded at official Graded Events.

Grading points will be awarded only for recognized Individual Competitions, that is, competitions that follow the normal format of compulsory movements and freestyle movements over one round, unless otherwise stated.  Participation in pas de deux or squad classes do not attract grading points.

A Vaulter may be downgraded by one grade, if he/she has not been awarded any points within the previous 12 months. This request shall be made in writing to VASA.

The NEC shall from time to time review grading issues and publish the points at which athletes in grades D to 3* may and must be upgraded.

Applies to SA and / or International CVI only.

If a lower grade athlete, currently registered in E, D or C Grade, compete at a CVI1* in SA or internationally, they will automatically be upgraded to 1*.  Likewise, If they qualify and compete in a CVI2*, they will be automatically upgraded to 2*.  If they qualify and compete in a CVI3*, they will automatically be upgraded to 3*.

The above will only apply if the athlete received a final score of 6.00 or higher at the CVI event.

Applies to Graded competitions in SA only.

If a lower grade athlete, currently registered in E Grade who is 18 years or under, competes in a Junior 2* squad competition in SA, they will only be allowed to compete in D Grade competitions thereafter.

If a lower grade athlete currently registered in E or D Grade compete in a Senior 3* squad competition in SA (which does not have an age limit), they will only be allowed to compete in 1* competitions thereafter.

GRADING POINTS ARE AWARDED AS PER THE TABLE BELOW

6.00 to below 6.50           =             1 pt
6.50 to below 7.00           =             2 pts
7.00 to below 7.50           =             3 pts
7.50 to below 8.00           =             4 pts
8.00 and above = 5 pts