Test Classification
Classification is still under development by the International Cheer Union and the International Paralympic Committee. We are working to support the testing and implementation of classification through our Paralympic Cheerleading Project and here you will find forms and details required to participate in that test as one of our participants.
Who is eligible for classification?
Not all disabilities, or parts of a person’s medical condition, are eligible for Paralympic classification, there is a strict and defined list of what is and isn’t allowed to participate. We understand that this feels unfair and unjust, that’s why we have always worked to ensure first and foremost there is an opportunity for everyone to participate in full inclusive clubs and divisions under the Adaptive Abilities programme, which we have assurances from the ICU will continue to be an option.
For this project however we need to be much stricter and can only accept people we feel would fit under the impairments listed as eligible under the Paralympics system.
An athlete who wishes to compete in a Paralympic style sport must have an Eligible Impairment that complies with the relevant Minimum Impairment Criteria for that sport. Different sports have different eligibilities and minimum impairment criteria. Cheerleading is still in the preliminary processes for Paralympic classification development, at the moment it is open to athletes with any of the following eligible impairment types.
Those are:
· Vision Impairment
· Intellectual Impairment
· Impaired Muscle Power
· Impaired Passive Range of Movement
· Limb Deficiency
· Leg Length Difference
· Short Stature
· Hypertonia
· Ataxia
· Athetosis
To find out more information you can follow this link - https://ipc-classification.reclaim.hosting/resources/eligible_impairments/index.html
Currently Cheerleading is developing what criteria will be classifiable for participation in the Paralympic recognised divisions as it grows towards those opportunities. As part of the work we are doing for the development of Team ParaCheer GB we are planning to work alongside the ICU and IPC to help understand this unique area of Paralympic sport.
Classification has 4 stages, stages 2-4 are in person during a classification assessment but stage 1 happens in advance and is a virtual assessment of the participant's medical documentation.
What Stage One Means
Stage One is where the athlete is assessed for whether they have an eligible impairment under the IPC Code, whether the impairment is permanent or meets any permanence criteria, and whether there is sufficient medical evidence to show that impairment in a way that meets minimum criteria (if applicable). It is before sport-class assessment or functional/competition observation etc.
Relevant medical documentation consists of the following sort of documents, only provide what you feel is relevant (e.g. autism assessment details aren't relevant as they're not referencing a eligible impairment)
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Medical notes referencing an impairment which is consistent with the eligible impairment list above
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Consultant / Specialists Report
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Radiology / Imaging Reports (X-ray, MRI, CT, ultrasound etc.)
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Physiotherapy / Rehabilitation Reports
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Discharge Summaries
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Neurological assessments (for brain injury and nerve damage conditions, reflex testing etc)
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Vision assessment from a qualified optometrist
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Leg length measurements reports (from a qualified medical practitioner)
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Medical history showing onset or incidence of injury etc
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Assessments of muscle strength and range of motion (from a qualified medical practitioner
Additional Notes Under 2025 Classification Code
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The 2025 IPC Classification Code includes International Standards, for example on “Eligible Impairments” and the verification of them. These standards likely specify what medical documentation is sufficient and the standard of evidence required.
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Documentation must often show that the impairment is below a threshold or meets Minimum Impairment Criteria for that sport (if defined). So documents that allow quantification (e.g. strength measures, degrees of contracture, visual field extents) are particularly important.
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Medical evidence must often be recent enough to be valid (what “recent” means may depend on the impairment – e.g. an illness vs. a congenital condition).
Forms
Please download the following forms to be filled out and returned to us with all relevant details written in English only.
Please download and fill this out with your details, confirming you agree with the statements within.
This form is to be completed electronically by a qualified medical practitioner who knows the participant for instance a Consultant or GP
Once you have all the relevant documents needed please fill out this online form and upload the documents to our drive using the upload link within.