Youth Eligibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, there have been a number of changes made to CTF rules that are related to CTF Youth eligibility. USBC has also made changes to their rules. Currently, there are differences in CTF’s and USBC’s rules in this regard. All of these changes and differences have caused there to be some confusion, uncertainty, and questions with respect to youth eligibility. The following is intended to
clarify things for our members.
What are the relevant CTF rules?
In Chapter 1 of the CTF Playing Rules, it states that Youth Membership is available to individuals who have not reached their 22nd birthday by August 1st of the current season.
CTF Rule 13 – Parental Consent: It says that for youth under the age of 18, a parent is authorizing his/her participation in any competition where prizes above $500 in merchandise, or, where any amount of cash or bonds are awarded. It states that a youth can maintain their CTF youth eligibility by continuing to bowl in a sanctioned CTF Youth league. But it also states that rejection of such prizes does not prevent the possibility of losing their CTF Youth eligibility. The form also refers to the fact that the youth may lose their “amateur status”, which could affect their eligibility for USBC youth membership, as well as US or Canadian high-school or college bowling programs.
There are no CTF Playing Rule restrictions regarding CTF Youth being allowed to participate in adult leagues or tournaments, other than the requirement to bowl in a CTF Youth League in order to maintain their CTF youth eligibility.
How do the USBC’s Youth Eligibility rules differ?
USBC’s Youth Membership is available to individuals who have not reached their 18th birthday by August 1st of the current season.
USBC has a restriction regarding their youth bowling in adult competitions where cash or bond prizes are awarded, or merchandise over $500. They are ONLY allowed to bowl in
Singles competitions. They need to have their parental consent and waiver form completed in order to bowl in any adult competitions. Their consent/waiver form, similar to CTF’s, describes the potential jeopardy to their youth eligibility status.
Can CTF Youth bowl for cash or bonds?
CTF youth can participate in adult competitions with cash or bond prizes and/or merchandise prizes valued in excess of $500 without jeopardizing their CTF Youth eligibility, providing they also bowl in a CTF Youth league. They must submit the CTF Prize Waiver / Parental Consent form prior to participating in such a competition. This form also provides for the option of putting any prize winnings into the youth bowler’s Scholarship Awards For Education (SAFE) account, providing the adult competition’s management agrees to do that. It should be noted that bowling in such a competition COULD impact their USBC Youth Eligibility, and the use of the form COULD help with this potential issue, but it is not a guarantee.
Can bowling centres award items such as free soft drinks, food and free games for bowling accomplishments for Youth bowlers?
Yes. However the total value of the awards an individual can earn in any one event, with the exception of scholarships, cannot exceed $500.
What is the purpose of the CTF Prize Waiver / Parental Consent form?
The form serves several purposes. It ensures that the CTF Youth member is aware that the event is offering prizes which could jeopardize their CTF Youth Eligibility (unless they also participate in a CTF Youth League). It also ensures the CTF Youth member is aware that they may be jeopardizing their USBC Youth eligibility, as well as jeopardizing their status as an amateur, which could be important for eligibility in college bowling programs. It also provides the ability to waive their rights to any cash prizes, or to any merchandise prize with a value greater than $500, which may help them maintain their USBC Youth eligibility and their amateur status, but it is not a guarantee. And of course, it also functions as the Parental Consent Form for underage youth. The form also allows the Youth member to indicate that they would accept a cash prize in the form of a scholarship award instead of cash.
The form is applicable to an entire tournament (even if it is a “multi-staged” event). The form is at the end of the FAQ document and also on the CTF website.
Is the organization that is running an adult competition obligated to allow CTF Youth members to participate?
No, they are not obligated to allow CTF Youth members to participate in their competition. It is the decision of the Tournament Manager or the League Board of Directors.
Is the organization that is running an adult competition obligated to award their prizes in the form of scholarships to a CTF Youth member?
No, they are not obligated to provide CTF Youth winnings in the form of a scholarship. It is the tournament organization’s decision to provide this option for CTF Youth participating in their tournament. It is strongly advised that a CTF Youth member who wishes to compete in an adult competition have a clear understanding of his/her options with the Tournament Manager or League Executive, before signing the waiver form and competing in the tournament or league.
Where can we find a copy of the CTF Prize Waiver?
The official CTF Prize Waiver / Parental consent form can be found on the CTF website, in the Youth section, as well as at the end of this document.
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 the CTF Youth member competing, the member must complete the waiver form and designate their intent either to accept or decline any award they may qualify for.
Is a CTF Youth Member eligible for youth awards while bowling in an adult competition?
Yes, a youth member is eligible for youth awards while bowling in an adult competition.
Can a CTF Youth Member bowl in an adult tournament where the prize is a paid entry into another (more expensive) tournament?
Yes, they are allowed to bowl in such an event. However, if a CTF Youth member were to win this prize, the entry fee must be paid directly to the Tournament Director or Tournament Manager of that tournament, and not directly to the CTF Youth member.
NOTE: The CTF Youth member would have to complete another Prize Waiver form with the Tournament Director of the second tournament.
How is eligibility to USBC Youth tournaments affected by a CTF Youth bowler participating in adult competitions?
In order to bowl in a USBC Youth tournament, the participant needs to purchase a USBC Youth membership.
USBC’s Youth Membership eligibility is explained fully in their Rule 400. In summary, it says that a USBC Youth Member cannot bowl in any competition where cash or bonds are awarded, or any merchandise greater than $500, without jeopardizing their eligibility. Exception: They are allowed to bowl in such competitions as long as they are only SINGLES competitions, and they complete a prize waiver form and have parental consent (if they are under 18) for each occurrence.
Therefore, if a CTF Youth Member has participated in any NON-SINGLES competition where cash or bonds, or merchandise above $500 are awarded, their eligibility for USBC Youth membership is jeopardized, regardless if they have signed a prize waiver and/or parental consent forms. However, if they have only participated in Singles competitions, and have completed the prize waiver and consent forms, then they are still eligible for USBC youth memberships.
How is eligibility for High-School or College bowling programs affected by a CTF Youth bowler participating in adult competitions?
Some schools and colleges restrict the participation in their bowling programs (as well as other athletics) to only “amateurs”. Anyone who has accepted cash or bond prizes, or
merchandise over $500 in bowling competitions has potentially jeopardized their amateur status and possibly may not be accepted into one of these programs.
To ensure compliance with specific high school and collegiate rules, an individual should check with the appropriate compliance officer and/or athletic/activities association prior
to the acceptance of any such award.
Can a CTF Youth Bowler who participates in an adult league or tournament enter bracket, side-pot, or pot-game competitions?
In short, yes. This does not impact their CTF Youth eligibility. However, it can affect their amateur status, and/or their USBC Youth Eligibility (if they accept cash prizes).