Parents Info

The Women's Artistic Fund Raising Committee

Chair Andy Buttery

Vice Chair  Henry Tse

Secretary  Kay Williams    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Competition Secretary  Veronica West and Michelle Walthen Edwards   

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Welfare Officer Veronica West and April Liwoshko

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Kit Helen Morel and Vicky Mears      

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Treasurer Caroline Pavier

Parent Reps  Liz Whitehead and Tony Bonnar     

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Nottinghamshire Gymnastics Association  Martine Storey

East Midlands Gymnastics Association  Alan Price

Web Editor and administrator Jo Goodberry

Dear parents,

Welcome to Notts Gymnastics Academy, a dedicated elite training facility, with success from county to an international level of performance.  Notts Gymnastics Academy is one of the most successful clubs in Great Britain, with a wealth of gymnasts achieving countless success at European, Commonwealth, World and Olympic Games.

This is a guide to help you understand the structure of the women’s section

It is also important for you to understand that gymnastics is the fundamental preparation for all physical activities, to take to higher levels can be very difficult. It can be dangerous and gymnasts may sometimes suffer injuries. Every precaution is taken to avoid this. One important factor to avoid injury is to make sure the gymnast’s body is equipped to deal with the demands of the sport. To achieve this, the gymnast’s training programme will involve a high percentage of body conditioning and preparation. The gymnasts will be advised and encouraged to look after their general health by eating sensibly and getting enough rest. Outside the training environment these aspects must be taken seriously.  

Competitive Gymnasts will also have moments when they feel low and moments of feeling high.  Please make yourself aware of this and do your best to help them through whatever situation arises. All the coaches are fully qualified and work to set guidelines and all want the best for every child in the club.

Competition Path

All gymnasts will be invited to take part in the annual County Championships. Gymnasts may compete in County (Nottinghamshire), Regional (East Midlands) and National (GB) competitions.

The competition path is very complicated and is different for different groups.  Competitions will be allocated to individuals as they progress.

1. Gymnasts who start from the D2 group have a better chance of progressing through to national squads. These gymnasts will have progress charts and twice a year the coaches will invite parents into the gym to demonstrate and help with their understanding of the training process.
2. Gymnasts in D1 will follow the regional and national grades. They compete set exercises, in Feb or March, which are developed to match their age. These usually begin at 8 or 9 years old.
3. Regional grades are organised by the East Midlands Gymnastics Association and the top 4 gymnasts in each section go through to compete in a national final. They do however have to achieve a minimum score.
4. Regional Voluntary Competitions are also organised every year in September and the same format is followed for entry into the national finals in November.
5. For gymnasts that start or develop later the coaches will allocate various competitions that suit their ability. These usually follow the same rules as the national age-group rules, however these are called Open Age competitions.
6. Each gymnast will be given a list of competitions they may be involved in when they register in September and again in January.
7. There are also several friendly and team competitions throughout the year. Teams are chosen according to the invitation. Some competitions will be international competitions and fund-raising events are often organised to help the costs of these events. Gymnasts are reminded that the more funds raised the less the costs to the individual.

All gymnasts will work towards Regional and National competitions

Gymnasts will be informed as to which competitions they will be expected to compete in.  Names, dates, venues and preparation process will be put on the notice board or given in writing to gymnasts prior to the event.

Trials will be held prior to competition entry date.  Girls who are not fit or adequately prepared will not be entered.  Once entered, they may still be withdrawn at any time if they are not working to the standard required.  Gymnasts will pay their own entry fee.  It is therefore important that once entries have gone in they work hard towards achieving the required result.  They must prepare accordingly:

Put in extra hours if coaches feel it necessary

Take extra care to eat sensibly and avoid any late nights

Check floor music, hand guards (and spares), competition kit fits, etc

Avoid missing any training

For competitions, appearance and the behaviour of the gymnasts is very important and can affect their scores

Hair must be tied firmly back away from their face and fringes trimmed

No jewellery is allowed in competition

Gymnasts will begin official competitions at eight or nine years old. See competition path. There will, however, be several friendly or county competitions before they reach nine.

When gymnasts are not competing it is important that they try to support their team.  This will also be to their benefit so they know what to expect when they compete.

The parent fundraising committee may be asked to host several competitions at the Centre and everybody will be expected to help in some way.  Events like this are very useful for raising funds.

The file below outlines the pathways within Women's artistic gymnastics

Gymnastic Pathways

TRAINING FEES

The fees are payable on the first on each month. Preferably, your fees are to be paid by standing order, alternatively, you may pay by cash or cheque (cheques payable to Notts Gymnastics Academy). All cash payments must be in a marked envelope with your child’s name, discipline (eg. Girls) and their training group (eg. D2) and then place your payment in the safe located inside the gym. Standing order forms are available inside the gym via your child’s coach, or should you wish to set up the standing order online, please contact our admin department or ask your coach for a standing order form. The club does operate a hardship scheme, where if you are unable to pay your child’s fees, we may be able to assist you. To apply you must send a letter or email to your head coach in the strictest confidence.

Should you have siblings in the gym, the child of the lesser price will pay half fees.

A reminder in September the club will require you to pay your British Gymnastics Membership  and affiliation to the County and Region. You will be informed of this at the beginning of September.

REGULAR ANNUAL EVENTS

Several talent ID sessions will be held every year in partnership with Nottingham Education Authority and British Gymnastics.

Parents are welcome to see their children perform on several occasions.

Two of these will be held at Rushcliffe

1. Christmas Display.
2. Summer club competition.

There may be other competitions through the year at various venues and parents are welcome to support their children and the club at these.

Parents meetings will be held monthly and all parents will be invited. Whenever possible these meetings will have at least one of the senior coaching staff present. These meetings are not for coaching issues. However when possible a senior coach will be available to answer questions at the end of these meetings.

There are 2 parent representatives on the boards of directors these will give information to the parents after their meetings.

COMMUNICATION

1. Any parental concerns must be voiced through the correct channels. Firstly, please refer to your disciplines handbook, which will answer many of your questions. Secondly, please speak to your child’s coach before or after training, or via email, phone or text. If they are unavailable please contact your head coach. If the head coach is unavailable you must speak to one of the two International Performance coaches and Directors of coaching (Barry Winch and Claire Starkey). Please note during training hours the coaching team must not be disturbed.
2. Should you have any queries regarding membership or fees please speak to our administrators on 01159 233 033.
3. It is your responsibility to check notice boards on the ground floor for us to communicate with you or the online notice board on this website.
4. Should you have any concerns regarding child welfare, please contact our Welfare Officer, Veronica West who will be able to assist you in complete confidentiality.
5. Each discipline has a fund raising committee and should you have any suggestions or wish to get involved please contact Georgia Barnes our fund raising secretary.
6. Should you have any questions or queries on how our club works, please speak to our parent representatives. The parent representatives are your point of communication between the Board of Directors and you the parents. They are invited to meet with the directors once a quarter to find out the answer to any questions you may have and to update you on how the club is moving forward.