What options for competitive gymnastics are available at C.I.T.Y.?

preTeam -  USAG Developmental Program
 Team  CITY-X  - USAG Xcel Program
  Team Yurchenko -  USAG JO Compulsory, Optionals,  Elite Programs

What is the difference between the various competitive options?

PASSION    -   The child's desire to commit to the sport of gymnastics.  The child's ability to enjoy the sport and have  fun with all of the challenges.

TIME    -   Time committed to practice.  Time away from other social events that get missed (birthday parties, school functions, etc).  Time management for homework and school.  Time committed by the family to transport child to practices and meets.

AGE    -   Typically competitive development begins early from 4 years old and up.  Gymnastics is an early development sport. The competitive options have ideal age ranges.  Girls are best trained  with girls in a similar birth year due to similarities in size   and physical development.

ABILITY   -   Ability starts with inherent strength and flexibility.  A breadth of abilities can compete in gymnastics.  Ability also refers to physical ability, emotional maturity, mental understanding, and social awareness.

Why should I drop my gymnast at practice?

The role of a Team parent is to be supportive and encouraging. When parents watch practice, it leads to comments outside of this role and opens the door to talking about a part of their sports endeavor you should not be talking about.

Sometimes it's better not to know. It's better not to know if our child isn't paying attention, or if our child is struggling with the bars or the beam, or if your child is not working as hard as you know they can or should. It's better not to know because when you do know these things, the stress and the desire to intervene creeps in. Trust in your coaches to help your gymnast find her ability to challenge herself and handle herself as a teammate.  

When parents watch practice, there is a clear shift in the dynamic between the gymnast, their team, and coaches. Parents are the most authoritative figure in the child's life. Naturally, they feel differently when you are watching practices. 

Being a Team gymnast is an honor and a responsibility. Girls must learn to enjoy gymnasts and work hard for themselves, their Team, and their coaches, not for their parents. When parents watch practice they distract  the gymnast and her Team.  The gymnast naturally does things for the parents like showing off or holding back.  They cannot fully concentrate on the coach.  Allow children to concentrate on winning the approval of their coaches through their personal level of commitment.

A child's commitment to their Team  and sport needs to be a decision they make, it can't be anything parents try to facilitate. Manipulating this decision, can eventually cause burn out or loss of  interest.  You must allow their commitment to their Team and sport to come from within them. This lets them develop an identity as a gymnast, an athlete, a teammate.  Parents being too involved hamper this development.

What are the benefits of competitive gymnastics?

• General benefits of athleticism and fitness.

• Building a child's focus, ability to overcome challenges, and development of a core of self-confidence.

• Life skills such as time management and goal setting.

• Ability to step out of one's comfort zone and overcome fears.

• The opportunity to compete and advance.

• Enhancement of another sport such as dance, swimming, cheer, soccer, hockey, etc.

• Opportunity to obtain a college scholarship.

• Great friendships and learning to manage oneself in the setting of  a Team

What does it take to make the competitive team?

Earning a spot on Team Yurchenko not only requires a passion for gymnastics and competitive spirit, but a willingness of the gymnast and her family to dedicate many hours to practices and meets. 

 Each session coaches evaluate girls from within the Club preschool programs for a spot on the preTeams.  The age range is 4 - 7 year old girls. This is Invite Only.  If you are interested in this path for your child, talk to her coach.  

This preschooler really enjoys gymnastics and is able
to pay attention in class independently.  She is naturally strong, and naturally flexible.  No specific gymnastics skills are required (better to learn the skills from TEAM coaches). This child is emotionally able to listen and pay attention,  mentally able to understand instructions, and socially able to focus in a group setting . She also has a low fear level. 

Our girls' recreational programming also allows older girls (greater than 7 years old) a path to competition through our ability and skills based sessions-beginner through advanced.  Girls making it to the Advanced classes have an opportunity to join our Team CITY-X.

If your gymnast is from outside the Club and interested in being evaluated for the Team, please e-mail the Club for more information-   Team@cityclugymnasticsacademy.com 

How does my child progress to the next level?

It is at the coach's discretion to move a gymnast to a higher level of practice at anytime the coach deems necessary. This is based on the athlete's physical, emotional, and psychological readiness.

Advancement to a higher level of competition also requires achievement of a minimum score in competition at the current level. This is a USA Gymnastics requirement.  

What does it cost to be on a team?

Expenses for the team include tuition, dance fees, USAG registration, practice leotards, competition uniform, competition meet fees which include an administrative cost, coach meet expenses. Your athlete and family travel expenses to competitions, There are also choreography fees (level 6 and above), and other incidentals.
     
Team tuition is a commitment for a full competition year. There are no refunds or make-ups for illness, vacations or injury.
There are also time and volunteer expectations from Team parents required to enhance the entire team experience.