Cumberland Gymnastics Team Handbook

Cumberland Gymnastics Team Handbook 2014-2015

I am looking forward to another great season! I would like to welcome all of our new team members. Enclosed are the philosophy/ rules of Cumberland Gymnastics. Please read through it with your gymnast. MISSON STATEMENT: Is to encourage participation and pursue excellence in all aspects of gymnastics. It is therefore our goal to provide learning opportunities for participants at all skill levels during their competitive career. It is also important to provide these individuals with lessons they can carry with them for a lifetime. U.S.A.G TEAM: Girls on this team compete within the structure of the U.S.A Gymnastics Junior Olympic age group program. This is the team level for the more serious gymnast wishing to advance to a high level of competitive gymnastics. Practices range from two to five days per week year round depending on the gymnasts training level. We take part in the Blue Ridge Gymnastics Association, which is a league of teams from Central Pennsylvania. In addition to those competitions, we attend invitational meets as well as U.S.A.G sponsored sectional, state, regional and national level meets. (Regional and national meets are for level 8 or higher ONLY). The competitive season runs from September to April/the end of the year banquet and the gymnast training period is May thru August for the following competitive season. TEAM LEVELS: DEVELOPMENTAL TEAM: (Also known as HOT SHOTS) This is a novice level for girls who show potential to become a U.S.A.G competitor. We participate in the Pennsylvania Developmental League. We have approximately four meets at which the girls perform compulsory routines. This team trains two to four times per week year round depending on the gymnasts training level. Team members may attend open workout on Saturday s free of charge. The Level 4 s and the Developmental Team may be practicing together depending on the number of gymnasts. LEVEL 3: We have decided to separate our developmental team and Level 3 s. The difference in the two is that the Level 3 gymnasts will compete in our Blue Ridge Gymnastics Association League and will be able to attend invitational competitions. They will compete the Level 3 routine as written by the U.S.A Gymnastics Junior Olympic age group program. This team trains two to four times per week year round depending on the gymnasts training level. Team members may attend open workout on Saturday s free of charge. The Level 3 s and the Developmental Team may be practicing together depending on the number of gymnasts. LEVEL 4 and UP: The levels continue to go up in numerical order. The top level we will train here would be level 10 gymnasts. Level 4 and 5 gymnasts will compete their routines as written by the U.S.A Gymnastics Junior Olympic age group program. From there the gymnasts will begin to learn optional routines that we will help the gymnasts put together. As they move up in level we stress the importance of practice to improve progress and ensure safety of the gymnasts.

TEAM SELECTION: The coaching staff does selection of new team members each year. This is done during the month of June & August. Selection is based on a gymnast s strength, flexibility, skill level, work ethic and the coach s estimation of future potential. We conference with each team member once the competitive season is finished; to help set goals for her continued success throughout the summer. We then will have another conference at the beginning of the summer with the parents to talk about their progress throughout the previous season and to estimate each gymnast s competitive level for the upcoming year. MONTHLY TEAM FEE: The monthly team fee is payable to Cumberland Gymnastics Inc. at the beginning of each month. This fee pays for the gymnasts practice time in the gym. The fee does not change from month to month since the team fee is a yearly fee broken down into twelve monthly payments. If the team fee is received LATER than the 10 th of the month there will be a $15 late fee assessed each time it occurs. There is a bounce check fee of $25 for each occurrence. Delinquent team fees may result in a gymnast being held out of practice until the financial obligation is met. By signing and agreeing to the rules and policies of Cumberland Gymnastics, Inc., you have agreed and committed your gymnast and financial obligation through the entire competitive season (Sept. thru April). If an extenuating circumstance arises (family moves out of area, or illness or injury, etc.) which then must be discussed with Melanie and at that point is by individual basis. Cumberland Gymnastics Inc. and Cumberland Gymnastics Booster Club are two different accounts. The monthly team fee is payable to Cumberland Gymnastics Inc. The quarterly assessments are payable to Cumberland Gymnastics Booster Club, which is to be placed in the treasurer s folder. MANDATORY MEETS & PRACTICES: Practices are mandatory unless listed otherwise. I will recommend the more practice the more competitive you will become as a gymnast. This year the gymnasts must meet the minimum number of practice per level or will not be able to compete at that level. This is purely for safety reasons and to help the gymnast s progress and remain competitive. We do have a MANDATORY TEAM CAMP the week of July 28 th thru August 1 st. The camp will be held from 8:30-12 for all new team members and the charge will be an additional $110 for the camp. The old hotshots and up camp will be held from 8:30-4 Monday- Thursday and 8:30-12 Friday and the charge will be an additional $200 for the camp. Gymnasts will then be invited back at 4:30 Friday evening for a sleepover! Payment for camp are due by July 23 rd. ** Parents of ALL levels are only aloud to stay to watch practice the last week of the month!! Parents should NOT be coaching their daughter(s). If this is the case, we may ask you to leave. We will NOT be having MAKEUPS unless I cancel for a personal reason. The following meets are mandatory and should only be missed for illness or family emergency. 1.) All Blue Ridge League Meets 2.) Sectional, State, Regional and National meets. ADDITIONAL TEAM EXPENSES: Some additional team expenses you can expect to incur are: 1.) Team Uniforms 2.) U.S.A.G athlete membership fee (Level 3 and up)

3.) Travel and motel expenses to away competitions 4.) Sectional, state, regional and national meet entry fees 5.) Invitational meet entry fees 6.) Floor exercise choreography fees (optional gymnasts only) 7.) Private lesson fees ($30/half hour) 8.) MANDATORY summer camp ** The Booster Club pays for all league entry fees and for team bags at the beginning of the season. Entry fees to all other meets will be paid for with one check from Cumberland Gymnastics Booster Club. You must reimburse Cumberland Gymnastics Booster Club immediately upon notice of such entry. Failure to do so prior to the meet will result in the gymnast being held out of competition. Once you agree to enter an invitational or sectional and above meet, you are responsible for paying the meet entry fee even if your daughter cannot compete. Last minute withdrawals due to illness or injury will NOT warrant a refund. ** NOTE: If an individual team member raises more than the yearly assessment, that extra money may be used to cover expenses listed in numbers 1,2,4,5 and 6 as well as your monthly payment to Cumberland. If that takes place, it is the family s responsibility to contact the treasurer of the Booster Club to write a check to Cumberland Gymnastics General Rules: New for 09-10 ~ Payments are due the 1st of each month, if NOT paid by the 10 th of the month a $15 LATE FEE will be applied. ~ Communication Policy 1. Gymnast, first speaks to their coach alone, to resolve error or issue. 2. If conflict is not resolved, parent may then email requesting a meeting. Parent, coach and gymnast will have a meeting. Please allow coaches to enter and exit the gym without interruptions. ~ The coaches need 100% of the gymnast s attention. Please do not distract by continually watching practices. Periodically you may watch, for short periods of time during the last week of the month. ~ ABSOLUTELY no negative talk while in the waiting area. If there is a conflict, schedule a meeting with the appropriate person. ~ Gymnasts must be at the gym 10 minutes PRIOR to practice time. ~ If the gymnast is going to be late or absent, the GYMNAST must call and leave reason why they are absent or coming late and approximate time of arrival. ~ Every gymnast is REQUIRED to be at practice. More than 3 unexcused practices a month will result in missing the next team event. An unexcused practice is when a gymnast does NOT call out of practice. ~ If a gymnast has to leave early for any reason, it must be discussed with a coach prior to practice. ~ Watch and learn from each other as well as from the coaches! Gymnasts are expected to help and encourage each other; you are a part of a TEAM! ~ Experienced gymnasts are expected to set proper examples for younger gymnasts, physically and mentally. ~ RUDENESS, disruptive behavior or foul language will not be tolerated in the gym. It is cause for immediate suspension or dismissal, and a parent conference will be held. ~ NO SITTING DURING PRACTICE. Great things are never achieved by sitting, only by doing! ~ Plan schoolwork so that is does not conflict with gymnastics time. Do not leave schoolwork until the last minute. Gymnasts are expected to bring report cards to Melanie at each report card period. Schoolwork should take

precedence over gymnastics, but if planned carefully, the two can work together. Poor grades are a cause for suspension until grades are raised. ~ All team members must attend summer practices or they may not continue on the team. There will be NO price adjustments for vacations and missed practices. ~ Gymnasts must attend every practice the week of competition or they will be unable to attend. If there is a conflict please see Melanie. ~ If a gymnast is injured, they must still attend practices for conditioning. Their coach will give them appropriate exercised to remain in top physical condition. ~ When dropping off your child please turn around and drop them off towards the door. Please DO NOT have them walk in front of traffic. ~ DO NOT park in the grass behind the other parking spots, you will be asked to move. If front lot is full, park in back lot. Eating and Drinking During Practices: ~ In general, all gymnasts should be eating well balanced meals. Eat a light meal one hour before practice and drink enough fluids. This is especially important during the summer months. Gymnast s breaks during practice should also consist of nutritious snacks; e.g. Gatorade, fruit or fruit juice, crackers, salads and nuts. No carbonated beverages should be consumed during practice! Attire: ~ Leotards are required! ~ No shorts may be worn during practice. ~ Hair MUST be pulled back away from face, including side bangs. ~ No dangle earrings. ~ No rings, bracelets, necklaces, or anklets. ~ No facial piercings ~ No tongue piercings ~ No tattoos ~ No odd color hair (blue, pink, green, etc.) Competition: Requirements: ~ Must be of legal qualifying age for particular level. ~ U.S.A.G number (acquired through gym)\ ~ Proper Attire: Competitive leotard Team warm-up suit Gym bag Body suit- NO UNDERWEAR of any kind unless they match leotard or Nude. May NOT wear string bikini underwear it is a DEDUCTION! No nail polish on nails or toes Only one post earring in each ear General Rules for Competition: ~ Arrive EARLY! ~ Gymnasts must be mentally prepared for meets. ~ No candy or sweets should be eaten before or during a meet. Proper snacks are: vegetables, sport bars, fruit, nothing high in sugar. ~ Gymnasts must have neat, clean, groomed appearance on the gym floor. Hair may NOT obstruct vision. Hair must be pulled back and secured, and kept neatly groomed. Hair must be in a curly ponytail; unless told otherwise. If your daughter s hair is too long and will be in her face during competition we will ask her to wear it in a bun for meets.

~ Each gymnast, not parent, is responsible to bring personal belongings. ~ Gymnasts are NOT to go into the stands to speak with parents during competition! ~ Parents are NOT allowed on competition floor for any reason what so ever! ~ Parents do NOT coach gymnast from the stands! ~ Do not converse with the judges. ~ Flash photography is forbidden by the U.S.A.G. ~ Inappropriate behavior at meets will be cause for dismissal from the team. ~ Parents may not speak with the coaches about their daughters performance before, during or after the competition. Call the following day, to schedule a meeting with the coach. ~ Gymnasts must be at the competitions at the designated times. Please allow enough time for travel. If a gymnast arrives late, more than 30 minutes, she will not be able to compete in that competition. BOOSTER CLUB: The Cumberland Gymnastics Booster Club is made up of parents, coaches and any other interested parties. The main function of this organization is to support our mission and to encourage all team members physically, emotionally and financially. BOOSTER CLUB FUNDS: The booster club raises money through direct monthly payments, fundraising activities and by hosting meets. Money raised by the Booster Club is used to pay league dues; coaches meet fees and other miscellaneous expenses. Money raised above and beyond these budgeted items can be used for variety of things such as the purchase of new team equipment, team gym bags and bringing in guest gymnastics clinicians. BOOSTER CLUB STRUCTURE: The Parents Association executive board shall consist of the following: 1.) President 2.) Vice-President 3.) Secretary 4.) Treasurer 5.) Gym Owner (Melanie Sheriff) The gym owner takes the parent s obligations to the Cumberland Gymnastics Booster Club very seriously. Failure to meet the requirements financial or otherwise may result in a gymnast being held from practices or meets until those obligations are met. An extreme lack of support may be grounds for dismissal from the team. NOTES FROM MELANIE: We hope each gymnast and her parent s supports and encourage all team members. It is important to emphasize team as well as individual goals and accomplishments. We ask that each family member is supportive and stands by the mission of Cumberland Gymnastics Team. Realizing that each individual team member has her own goals, it is the coaching staff s mission to help each girl reach her potential as both a gymnast and person.

Please feel free to call me anytime you have a question, concern or a problem. You may call the gym (245-0561), or my cell (422-8989). 2014-2015 TEAM FEES * This is subject to change depending on the economic situation that may arise. Fees by weekly practice schedule: See schedule attached Booster Club Fees: TBA *The fees will be assessed by Quarter and will be placed in each gymnast/ families folder which is located by the water fountain. These team fees are effective 7/01/14 thru 5/31/15. Fees are the same each month regardless of attendance. We do offer a 5% discount for two children in a family and a 10% discount for three children. You can choose to participate in the fundraiser that may be offered or make direct payments to the Booster Club for the yearly assessment. The monthly fee is paid to Cumberland Gymnastics, Inc. Please keep these two payments separate as they go to different accounts. If you fall behind in any given quarter you may be required to make a direct payment to the Booster Club for the specific amount. Failure to meet your financial obligations to both Cumberland Gymnastics, Inc. and Cumberland Gymnastics Booster Club will result in your child being suspended from practicing with the team. Monthly payments to the gym should be received by the 1 st of the month. If not received by the 10 th of each month a late fee will apply. We have read and understand the information contained in the team handbook and will abide by the rules and policies of the Cumberland Gymnastics Team. Gymnasts must read and understand ALL rules stated in the handbook as well. Parent Signature / Date Gymnast Signature / Date