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Provincial Competitive Program
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The provincial competitive program
is the natural progression for athletes who have a taste for increased
challenges in the field of gymnastics. Girls and boys have joined the
Provincials by way of the Recreational classes or the Regional Competitive
classes. The children's coaches are able to identify that special child
who has fallen in love with the sport, and wishes to explore their abilities.
The main distinctions with these athletes are their marked gymnastic
ability, strength, flexibility but most of all the desire to push themselves:
to constantly strive to accomplish those "extra" movements.
These athletes will train many hours per week, consistently perfecting
their skills. A huge majority of our young ladies excel scholastically,
despite their many training hours. Having developed discipline in their
sport, the self discipline is transferred to their schooling and home
lives. Many of our senior competitive girls have such a love of gymnastics,
that they have progressed to sharing their passion through the CIT program
(Coach in Training), especially working with the youngest athletes.
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Invitational Program
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The invitational program is very similar to the provincial
program at Tumblers with a few fundamental differences. Athletes in
the invitational programs are restricted in the number of hours they will
train weekly. Dependant on the child's age, either 6 hours or 9 hours
weekly is the maximum training time, whereas some provincial athletes
train over 20 hours per week. This allows the athlete who wishes to
compete to be able to do so, while still being able to participate in
other events. As with the restricted training hours, these athletes
are restricted in the skill difficulty permitted in training and competition.
These athletes will train many hours per week, consistently perfecting
their skills. A huge majority of our young ladies excel scholastically,
despite their many training hours. Having developed discipline in their
sport, the self discipline is transferred to their schooling and home
lives. Many of our senior competitive girls have such a love of gymnastics,
that they have progressed to sharing their passion through the CIT program
(Coach in Training), especially working with the youngest athletes.
The Tumblers presently have several development programs for gifted
athletes, starting with the Kinder Elite program, (ages 3-4-5) and progressing
through 6 hour, 9 hour, 12 hour and 16 hour pre-competitive groups with
ages ranging from 6 to 9. Provincial competitive athletes train from
12 to 20 hours per week, and will compete in various provincial meets
throughout the year.Most of the children in the invitational program are identified
by their coaches in the recreational programs as athletes who "want
more". Another fundamental difference with the provincial program
is the mean age of these athletes when they enter the program. While
children may compete in the invitational program as of age 7, many gymnasts
do not enter the program until they are 8 or 9, and have expressed the
clear desire to compete, and try to challenge their abilities. So it's
never too late to be a competitive gymnast!Our girls' program currently features over 30 athletes,
ranging in age from 7 to 17. Each of these athletes will compete in
3 to 4 competitions per year, meeting athletes from other centres within
our region. |
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