MONROE COUNTY YMCA AERIALS GYMNASTICS TEAM PARENT INFORMATION PACKET

Transcription

1 MONROE COUNTY YMCA AERIALS GYMNASTICS TEAM PARENT INFORMATION PACKET MONROE COUNTY YMCA MISSION To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. GYMNASTICS MISSION At the Monroe County YMCA Gymnastics Center we strive to build the spirit, mind, and body of all gymnasts by using the YMCA Four Core Values: CARING HONESTY RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY

2 PHILOSOPHY This is your gymnastics - Giving ownership of the sport back to the gymnast. It is our mission to allow multi-sport athletes to continue in the sport of gymnastics. We require less gym time, allowing athletes and their families to determine how much time they spend in the gym each week. While our coaches determine the level that our gymnasts will compete each season, our gymnasts provide the work ethic. Guided by our team coaches, our athletes are coached with the philosophy that this is their gymnastics. We will provide the coaching, spotting, guidance, and confidence building. They must come to practice ready to focus, and work hard while they are here. TEAM VALUES Winning Spirit: We encourage competition as a way to measure improvement, and goal setting. This is also a wonderful way to foster team spirit! Team Spirit: A gymnastics team is a community of gymnasts. To be the best we can be, we must encourage one another, cheer for one another, and be respectful of each other, Team Coaches, parents, and other Teams. Great Technique=Great Performance: Every member of the team is coached on technique. This is the easiest way to begin to build confidence. Effort is always stressed. Endurance=Healthy Body: As gymnasts develop, we begin to add to the amount of work they do. We will train their muscles, especially their hearts. This is one of the most demanding aspects of gymnastics and one of the most important. High Levels=Tougher Conditioning: As gymnasts progress and achieve higher levels, setting higher goals, so does their conditioning. Mental Toughness: Fear is the gymnast s strongest adversary. We equip gymnasts with the tools to overcome or control their fear of heights, flipping and competition through skill progression, technique, and support. GOALS To gain self confidence To learn to be a team player To learn to be competitive and have fun at the same time To learn from successes and failures To learn to budget free time wisely To learn to have fun in a safe, educational program To learn that effort=results. GYMNAST PLEDGE I pledge, win or lose, to practice and compete to my ability, to be a good sport, to listen to my coach, to help when asked, to be honest, to be caring, to take responsibility, to be respectful to everyone including other teams and judges, to support our team, and teammates.

3 PARENTS PLEDGE Please see attached form-sign and return to coaches. REGISTRATION/FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS Gymnasts must be members in good standing of the Monroe County YMCA in order to compete on Monroe County YMCA Aerials Gymnastics team. This is a Y-USA requirement for participation in YMCA competitive sports. Financial Agreement and Commitment Upon registration for team, all families sign an agreement for an automatic monthly withdrawal. If at any time you do not wish for your child to continue, please notify Michelle Stroud. Please call two weeks prior to the withdrawal date in order to have payments cancelled. Refunds will not be given if a gymnast quits mid-month. Gymnasts may quit at any time throughout the year. However, once a gymnast quits the Aerials team, they cannot rejoin the team until try-outs for the following season. They may register for the team prep-class if they choose to return. However, they may not return to competition, or return to team practices until try-outs for the upcoming season. Current Aerials members are not required to try-out each season. However, if your child quits the team, and then would like to return the following season, we do require that they are assessed in order to determine which team they will return to. Please note that team is a commitment for both the gymnast and their family. We realize and appreciate this. We hope to make this an enjoyable team experience, and one that your child and our team can grow from. Aerials Team practice options are as follows: Level 3 s Competitive Team: 2 practices per week- 3 hours each practice: $96.00 Optional additional practice: $10.00 per day Level 4-7 and XCEL Teams: Option #1: 2 practices per week- 3 hours each practice: $96.00 Option #2: 3 practices per week- 3 hours each practice: $ (preferred for Level 4-7) Optional additional practice: $10.00 per day (for Option 1 gymnasts who want to add a 3 rd day any given week, or Option 2 gymnasts who want to add a 4 th practice any given week)

4 PRACTICE SCHEDULES Aerials team members will have flexibility in their team practice schedule. When scheduling your practice option you do not have to commit to certain days listed. Each week, we invite you to attend the days that work best for your schedule. We will permit make-up practices within the same month that they are missed. Monday Tuesday All Levels Thursday Saturday Sunday All Levels March 21-May 17th Level 4-7/XCEL ONLY All Levels Level 4-7/XCEL 5:30-8:30pm 4:30-7:30pm 5:30-8:30pm 11am-2pm 1:00-4:00 May 24 th - Aug. 9 3:00-6:00 Aug. 16 th -Sept 27 th 4:30-7:30pm Oct. 4 th - March 14 th :45-8:45pm This schedule is subject to change (primarily times may be adjusted). ADDITIONAL TEAM EXPENSES Meet Registration fees: Registration fees range from $15-$100 per meet. (This year the meet fee for the National competition was $100 per competitor.) We require that all athletes compete in a minimum of two meets per season. If your child would like to attend March Championships, or is Level 4 or higher and plans to compete in Regionals; they must qualify for these meets. Keep in mind that it may take more than two meets to meet the qualifying all-around score. Travel Expenses: We are the only team in the state of Indiana, so we will be traveling no less than two hours away to participate in competition with other YMCAs. We could be traveling distances up to 8 hours away, and even farther if we have gymnasts qualify for, and choose to attend, Nationals. We are looking into options closer to home, more information will be available if and when that option is approved. Gate Fees: Many gyms charge a gate fee or entry fee for spectators. Some simply ask for a donation. Grips/Tiger Paws/Braces/Tape: If a gymnast requires a special support, or grips for bars, we will place the order for these, and parents reimburse the YMCA. Typically, as a coach I can get a more reasonable price on some items. All supports and braces are financially the responsibility of each gymnast s family. All gymnasts are required to supply their own tape and pre-wrap for ankles and hands if needed. It s suggested that they keep it in their gym bag on a regular basis. Music: All Gymnasts in Level 6-8 or XCEL levels will have to purchase floor music. We require that they use the same floor music for 2 years. Competitive Uniform: Competition Leotard (3/4 length sleeves): $80 before shipping. By Alpha Factor Practice Leotard (short sleeve): Approx. $50 also from Alpha Factor Warm Ups: Jacket will range from $23.99-$50.00, pants I simply ask that they wear solid black compression leggings. (Only new Aerials members are required to purchase warm-ups. Returning members may if they need a new size.)

5 FUNDRAISING I will be putting together a parent committee to help with organizing fundraisers during the year. These funds will go towards travel expenses for coaches, and towards bettering our gym equipment when possible. This helps us keep the costs down for our YMCA. There are many ways fundraising can help our team and facility. If you are willing to be a part of this committee, please Michelle Stroud at mstroud@monroecountyymca.org. This year we will be adding $10 onto each regular competition fee, and a minimum of $15 onto larger competition fees to help with travel expenses for coaches. This will help get our second season started off as fundraising progress has been a bit slow this year. We require that each family helps with a minimum of two fundraisers per season. Fundraisers will consist of bake sales, car washes, and more. We ask that you do not solicit funds from businesses at this time. Competitive Information The YMCA Aerials is a competitive sport, which requires a commitment from each athlete for the entire year. All Aerials are required to compete in a minimum of two meets during the season. The following is a timeline for our competitive season: November- first meet of the season (Possibility of adding a meet in October) March- March Championships- typically the final meet for Level 3 s April- Regionals June/July YMCA Nationals (Each year held in a different venue nationally) Requirements for competition in specific meets: March Championships: Must have competed in two regular YMCA meets from November-February Or have a petition approved by the board due to injury or illness. Regionals: Meet minimum all-around score requirement in two regular season meets. Level 4-Level 10 only- Level 3 s do not compete in Regionals XCEL Gold and Platinum only- Ohio Valley League does not offer Bronze/Silver Nationals: Meet minimum all-around score requirement in two regular season meets for level 3 s. Level 4-10 must meet the minimum All-Around score for their level at Regionals. All Levels can compete at Nationals. We will also determine a trip to Nationals based on the location of the meet, and how many of our gymnasts plan to attend.

6 Summer Camps Near and Far Each summer we offer 1-2 weeks of team summer camps. While they run at the same time as our general summer camps, they are completely separate. Team members attending Aerials camps will take a walk to Dairy Queen one afternoon, swim at Bryan Park Pool, among many other fun activities set aside especially for team gymnasts. Each winter we also begin to plan a fun summer camp away from Indiana. Our first summer as a team we attended Karolyi Camp in Houston Texas. There are many camps to choose from with prices ranging from $645-$1, per week. These options are not mandatory, but a fun addition to learn from some amazing coaches, and to also have the opportunity to be coached by Olympic coaches and gymnasts. These are sleep-away camps in which the gymnasts stay at the camp for the week in cabins together. We begin planning these in February/March in order to secure spots for anyone interested in attending.

7 PCA Parent Pledge Please read, sign and return to the coach or appropriate official. 1 As a Second-Goal Parent I will let players and coaches take responsibility for the first goal of winning. I will relentlessly focus on the second, more important, goal of using sports to teach life lessons to my child and other youth. 2 I will use positive encouragement to fill the Emotional Tanks of my children, their teammates, and coaches. I understand that people do their best with full E-Tanks. 3 I will reinforce the ELM Tree of Mastery with my child (E for Effort, L for Learning, M for bouncing back from Mistakes). Because I understand a mastery approach will help my child be successful in sports and in life, I will encourage my child to put in a high level of effort to get better, cultivate a Teachable Spirit to continue to learn and improve, use a Mistake Ritual (e.g., flushing mistakes ) to quickly rebound from mistakes. 4 I will set an example for my child by Honoring the Game and will encourage him/her to remember ROOTS respect for the Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates, and Self. If the official makes a "bad" call against my team, I will Honor the Game and be silent! 5 I will use a self-control routine to avoid losing my composure when things go wrong. I will take a deep breath, turn away from the game to refocus, count backwards from 100 or use self-talk ( I need to be a role model. I can rise above this. ). 6 I will engage in No-Directions Cheering. I will limit my comments during the game to encouraging my child and other players (from both teams). 7 I will get my child to practice and games on time and will be on time picking my child up after games and practices. 8 I will refrain from making negative comments about my child's coach in my child's presence. I understand that this will help to avoid planting negative seeds in my child's head that can negatively influence my child's motivation and overall experience. P R I N T AT H L E T E S N A M E PA R E N T S S I G N AT U R E