Women's Competitive
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girl's national levels stream
Bunnerong offers opportunities for those gymnasts who wish to train more
seriously to become a member of a squad. Gymnasts are assessed by the coaching
co-ordinator and squad coaches and placed into the appropriate squad. Squads
provide a thorough program of training to meet the individual needs of the
gymnast and prepare them competitions. The program incorporates physical
preparation, skill acquisition, dance and trampoline training.
Every gymnasts' attendance and progress is monitored and regular strength,
flexibility and skill testing occurs. Parent/coach meetings are held once per
term usually near the beginning of the term, to keep parents up to date, explain
the short and long term goals of the programs and provide an opportunity for
interaction and answering of queries. The child's squad coach is not available
during class time to discuss the child's progress, however meetings can be
arranged by appointment. Parent interviews with the Coaching co-ordinator can
also be organised by appointment.
pre-level
1
The Pre-level program is an orientation program for one day per week, preparing
the gymnast for the competitive stream, which will require skill and routine
learning and a two day per week commitment.
levels 1-5
Curriculum
Gymnasts in Levels 1-3 train a program of basic and development skills on each
apparatus with an emphasis on physical body preparation to enable those skills
to be performed with excellent technique. Once the skills for the particular levels
have been mastered, the routines containing the skills are practiced and
refined until ready for competition. Basic competition etiquette and mental
approach to competition is covered.
Levels 4-5 preparation includes more intense conditioning, intermediate skill
learning, trampoline work, dance and routine training. With the increased hours
available to these squads, further time is spent on physical and mental
preparation. Gymnasts are assisted with determining and reaching their own
individual goals. Many may wish to progress on to Levels 6-10.
Competitions
Compulsory routines are the basis for competitions for Levels 1-3 throughout
Australia. Levels 4 and 5 must include set skills but clubs may choreograph
their own routines on floor and beam. Gymnasts perform their routines at club
gradings, and at regional and invitational competitions, where they are assessed
by a panel of qualified judges. In Levels 1-3 cores are awarded out of 10.00
with deductions being made for various errors. In levels 4 and 5 extra skill
content is awarded with bonus points to a maximum total of 10.00 and deductions
for execution and composition are made. Club gradings are held near the end of
each term. Club Championships is held in term 4. Gymnasts are entered in to a
series of regional competitions which can lead to selection for State
Championships. Regional Championships is a team event, held towards the end of
the year. Most regional competitions are held away from Bunnerong. A total of
34.00 points is desirable before progressing to the next level, but it is
important to be guided by the gymnast's coach, who is most familiar with the
gymnast's strengths and weaknesses. Unlike colours gradings, it is recommended
that the gymnast compete each level many times in various situations until
proficiency, polish and confidence are achieved.
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levels 6-10
Curriculum
This advanced level of training requires a commitment to excellence, a good
attitude and from 18-20 hours per week of training. The program is comprehensive
and all facets of training are catered for: technical, physical, psychological
and tactical training. The squad has a male and female coach. The gymnasts in
this squad are prepared for Regional and State Competitions, national
competitions if selected, and for interstate and sometimes overseas competitions
with a team. Skill level on all apparatus has increased dramatically in the last
few years and gymnasts in level 10 perform skills of a world class level of
difficulty.
Competitions
Two trials are held by the NSW Gymnastics Association for selection into the NSW
Teams for each level (6 per team to compete at the national championships. The
NSW State Championships is a major competition, for which the gymnasts must
qualify. National Clubs is a team event held each year and contested by clubs
from all over Australia. Participation by Bunnerong will depend on the fielding
of teams from the club. Various international competitions are also considered
in the year's calendar, and participation is determined according to numbers,
readiness and appropriateness for the particular gymnasts. Earmarked
competitions are financed by fundraising by the team and club.
Parent/Coach meetings
These are conducted each term to keep parents up to date and outline the program
and expectations for the year. At this level, the parents are a vital component
of the gymnast/coach/parent team and must support the coach to deliver the best
possible program for the gymnast to achieve her goals.
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international
elite stream
Bunnerong and the AIS
The International elite stream has been operating at Bunnerong for 15 years. It
was inspired by Ju Ping Tian, current AIS Women's Coach, who coached at
Bunnerong for six months soon after arriving in Australia. We have a close
connection with Ju Ping Tian and the AIS and trips to the AIS Clinics are
organised from time to time, enabling selection of gymnasts from the club into
the AIS Program and maximising our gymnasts' opportunities to develop into
international class gymnasts.
Programs
Gymnasts are selected from the Development program into the pre-elite program.
This is an orientation program which focuses on body preparation and basic
skills and also provides an introduction to the expectations of elite training.
Talented children can also be identified from our various classes and the
parents are approached about placement in one of the elite programs. Gymnasts
then progress through Stages 1-4 according to their age, technical readiness and
mastery of the previous stage. Training hours are much longer than in the Levels
stream, gradually increasing up to approximately 28 hours per week for Stage 4.
Some of the training sessions in the higher stages occur in the mornings. A
greater level of commitment on the part of the gymnast and the family is
required for the Elite stream than the Levels Stream. Regular strength,
flexibility and skill testing occurs throughout the year and parents are kept
informed of the gymnasts progress and suitability for the program. Swapping
across to the Levels Stream can be easily arranged if the Elite Program is not
appropriate for the gymnast for any reason.
bunnerong
backflips
This is a performance group of competitive gymnasts
and retired elite and Level 4-10 gymnasts. The group trains in two groups, a
development group and an advanced group, once or twice per week to put together
tumbling and choreographed routines. Performances are given at various community
events, school fetes and festivals and corporate functions. All enquiries to the
Co-ordinator, Tasha
Jakinoff or
assistant Coordinator Kate Spencer.
Gym
classes are always scheduled on public holidays.
