Banquet Location

Just letting everyone know that the banquet will be held at


The Harbour Banquet & Conference Centre - 
2340 Ontario Street, 
Oakville, ON L6L 6P7




http://harbourbanquet.ca/contact

July Acro Schedule Updated

Here is the most up to date July Acrobatic Gymnastics Schedule.  


The big changes is that Valerii Luchko has now decided to not come join us until he as full immigration status for his family.  This could take a while so I am now actively pursuing another coach from the UK.  In the meantime Jane's sister Emma has arrived from Ireland and was herself an acro athlete and coach as well.  She will be taking the Acro Interclub Group 1 in Valerii's place until we can find a suitable replacement.


Here is the up to date schedule:

As some people have a hard time deciphering my schedules I will break it down this one time:


Interclub Acro Group 1: Emma coach
Mondays 6:00 - 8:00pm
Tuesdays 6:00 - 8:00pm
Thursdays 6:00 - 8:00pm


Interclub Acro Group 2: Jane coach
Mondays 3:30 - 5:30pm
Wednesdays 3:30 - 5:30pm
Thursdays 3:30 - 5:30pm


Provincial Acro Group: Jane coach
Mondays 5:30-8:30pm
Wednesdays 5:30-8:30pm
Thursdays 5:30-8:30pm


Provincial Elite Group: Don coach
Mondays 3:00 - 6:00pm
Tuesdays 3:00 - 6:00pm
Wednesdays 4:00 - 6:00pm
Thursdays 4:00 - 6:00pm
Fridays 12:00 - 2:00pm


Hope this break down makes the schedule a bit more clear for everyone.


Please email Don with the days that you will be away during the summer for vacation, camps, etc.

June Parent Meeting Information OGC Acro Program

Communication from the June 2012 Acrobatic Gymnastics Program Parent Meeting at the Oakville Gymnastics Club

Congratulations to all the Acrobatic Gymnasts who were offered spots in the Oakville Gymnastics Club Acrobatic Gymnastics Program for the 2012/2013 season. We do appreciate your dedication, commitment and loyalty towards the acro program.

Biographies:

Don Holmes – Head Coach/Director of the Acrobatic Gymnastics Program – Coach Elite Acro Group

Jane Kirwan – Coach Provincial Acro Group & Interclub Group 2

Valerii Luchko – Coach Interclub Acro Group 1 (starting mid-July)

See the OGC website under Competitive Staff.

The One Year Contract Policy:  As you know the Acrobatic Gymnastics program offers your child a space in the program for one year and at the end of each season we do ask all of our athletes to “ReTryout”.  By implementing the ‘Re-Tryout’ and ‘Tryout’ protocols we are not trying to be mean or unsupportive of those athletes that we have been working with and developing over the previous year (or years). Our program is a competitive program with a limited number of spaces. We are simply trying to ensure that those athletes who are the most deserving of a spot on the team are receiving those spots. If at some point we do ask your child to leave the program this may be thought of as a good thing allowing the athlete the opportunity to explore other sports where he/she may be more suited physically, mentally or socially. 

Summer Attendance: During the summer session we expect 50% attendance as a minimum. We would prefer that your child attends 100% of their scheduled classes but we understand summer schedules are far more diverse and we would hope that kids take the time to enjoy summer camps, weeks at the cottage and time with family. Please send an e-mail to your athlete’s coach with the dates that your child will not be at gymnastics. Low attendance in some groups on specific weeks may allow us to accommodate other athletes who have summer training conflicts and permit them to make the minimum number of training hours.

Fall/Winter/Spring Attendance: During the school year we expect 80% attendance as a minimum. Obviously the less your athlete trains the less they will progress and the less they will be prepared for competition. It is in your best interest to have your athlete at the gym as much as possible.

Note:  Attendance in Acrobatic Gymnastics is very important as when one of a pair or group is not at the gym the entire group cannot work on the specific skills that make acro what it is.  Please make sure that your athlete and family are accountable to the other group members.  Share phone numbers and emails so that you can communicate before a practice whether or not you are sick or going to be absent for some reason.  Also look to plan family vacations at the same time or after major competitions so that time is not lost prior to a competition or training camp.

Violation of Attendance Minimums and Removal from the Program: We cannot hold spots for athletes who do not attend the program. If you have schedule conflicts that will prevent your athlete from reaching the minimum attendance requirement but wish to remain as part of the acrobatic gymnastics program please e-mail the Acrobatic Gymnastics Program Director outlining your situation.

OGC Code of Conduct:  We have created a specific code of conduct for our athletes while part of the team, mostly for traveling with us while not with a parent.  As we travel to competitions you will see this document and if you have any concerns with it at that time we can address them then.

Schedules: Summer Schedules and Fall/Winter/Spring schedules have been distributed. We understand the logistical difficulties that families encounter by receiving these schedules in June as summer camp registration and vacations need to be booked several months in advance. Please note that we create our schedule with careful consideration. We realize that there will be conflicts and we have outlined how we are attempting to provide concessions for these conflicts.  Also note that due to the ever evolving space usage of the gym we may find it necessary to change a scheduled class temporarily or permanently depending on the situation.  We cannot foresee these situations but we will try to provide you with as much notice as possible prior to changes.

NOTE:  ERROR!!! There was an error on the schedules that went out.  The schedule showed that the Acro Interclub Group 1 was coached by Jane for the summer and Valerii in the fall.  This is an error.  Jane will be coaching the Interclub Acro Group 2 at the times that are indicated for Jane.  Valerii will be coaching Interclub Acro Group 1 at the times designated for Valerii to coach.  An updated schedule will be posted on the blog this week.

Increased Hours and Extra Training:  This year we have increased the training hours for all groups: Interclub increased to 6 hours, Provincial to 9 and Elite to 12.  We also will offer an additional Individual Skills class in the fall and winter recreation sessions, instructed by one of our staff for those who need additional work with their tumbling elements.  As well we will offer a Peak Performance class for all acro athletes where they will learn the finer points of performing when delivering a routine.  These extra hours will be for you register in addition to your regular training hours and will be an additional expense.  As well there will be routine choreography in the fall and early winter as needed.  These additional choreography sessions and their cost will be discussed at the Fall Parent Meeting.

Acrobatic Gymnastics Program Weeks Off during the Summer: Note that these change each year as we need to address the competition schedule that is also ever changing.  We will try to let you know well in advance so that you can plan vacations/camps/etc.

Active Rest: During the rest periods we expect athletes to remain active. We give the acrobatic gymnasts a checklist of activities to do during their off time in order to keep them fit.

Nutrition: We will post some nutrition information on the blog at some point to assist you with meal planning for effective trainings and competitions so keep you eye on the blog.

Viewing Area Closure: During the summer months and on some holidays the viewing area may be closed in the evening so there will be no parent viewing. Your child will be let in at the sliding glass doors at the front of the club and be ushered out at the end of their session. When the viewing area is closed no one is permitted in the gym lobby for safety and liability reasons. Our apologies for the inconvenience that this might cause.  If there is an emergency and you need to contact us inside the gym we ask that you bang on the back door of the gym to try and get our attention.  

Individual Parent Meetings: We offer individual parent meetings as we or you feel they are necessary. If you have individual questions that pertain to your specific situation we ask that you not address these in a public forum but leave it to an e-mail or individual meeting.

Chain of Command:  Speak to your child’s coach(es) directly for anything you may have questions about.  Then you may speak to Don.  If he is not able to help you then you can speak to Wayne Hussey the COO.  If you have a question about an event/competition DO NOT contact Gymnastics Ontario directly.  DO NOT contact the host club of an event directly.  If you have a question address it through the coach(es) and we will ask GO or the event host for you as your question is likely one that other’s have.

Sponsorship: Athletes are able to search for sponsors to offset the costs of training and competitions. The OGC has created a sponsorship package for all competitive athletes. Please enquire if you are interested in sponsorship.

Fundraisers: No fundraisers are set for the Acro Program as of yet but we are open to ideas from parents.  Simplicity, appropriateness and fund generation are key points to remember when making your suggestions.  Thanks.

Event and Competition Schedule:  To be posted on the 

blog in the early fall.

Competitive Structure Provincial and National – See attachment, previous post

The Competitions – see attachment

Training Wear:  For acro we prefer that athletes wear a leotard and shorts.  Athletes with long hair are expected to keep it in a high bun so that it is out of the way while performing skills.  Boys shorts should be above the knee as you may be doing elements where another athlete need to stand on your thighs.  Please not long board shorts.  Gymnastics shoes are optional.

Competitive Wear: 

We have a warm up leotard/shorts or singlet/shorts combo for the Provincial and Elite Group that they need to have when we go to competitions.  This Warm Up clothing if for the stretching and warming up portion of a competition.  Usually the suit you will wear for competition is more elaborate and we don’t want to cause damage to the competition suits by doing too much activity in them.  A new royal and black suit for the girls will be for purchase in the fall through Saucy’s World.  More information to be circulated in the fall.  Boys are permitted to get a black singlet and shorts from any manufacturer as it is a simple black suit.  You will receive information shortly about the warm up leos soon.  If you are in the Interclub groups you are expected to purchase the warm up leos as it may be your competition suit for the year depending on the pair or group you will be competing with.  An additional competition suit may be required.

Competition suits:  Each pair or group will have a matching leotard or singlet/sorts/pants for each competitive routine they perform.  We will generally keep the same suit for the season.  Athletes going to larger competitions or higher levels may have three competitive outfits.  Plan for this cost as competitive suits usually cost between $100 and $600 dollars per athletes.

Tracksuits and OGC apparel:  We have the royal OGC Acrobatic Gymnastics program t-shirt for $12 at the gym.  This all you need as a minimum.  There are OGC Tracksuits that will be available through the main office.  We will also have OGC fitted women’s tracksuit in a Lululemon style available to purchase in the fall.  Stay tuned for more information on these items.  What do you need? The t-shirt (parents and family members are welcome to buy the royal acro t-shirt as well).  If you are on the Elite or Provincial Team women should have either the general OGC tracksuit or the new fitted tracksuit.  Boys we prefer that you have the general OGC tracksuit for competitions.  Interclub athletes all tracksuit and OGC apparel is optional for you.  I suggest getting the royal blue t-shirt if you plan to attend a training camp or competition this year (and you will be so get the t-shirt).

Other OGC Apparel:  We will have a navy or white hooded sweat shirt avail and navy or white OGC sweatpants available to purchase in the fall.  These additional items are optional and make great Christmas presents.

Any Financial questions please direct to Agnes Jankura in the main office.

Check your e-mails regularly for OGC info.

READ THE BLOG REGULARLY: It is VERY IMPORTANT that YOU keep up-to-date on the blog. It is the online bulletin board for our program. Everything is archived there so you can go back and pull any information that you might need. http://ogcacrobaticgymnastics.blogspot.com/

FALL PARENT MEETINGS:  We will have another Parent Meeting in early September to regroup and prepare for the competitive season.

Questions?

Any questions can be directed to: dholmes_tumbling@homail.com

Cirque du Soleil Audtions Burlington Ontario

 Here is a notice about the upcoming auditions for Cique du Soleil taking place in Burlington, Ontario. 

Parent Meeting for 2012/2013 Acro Team

There will be a Parent Meeting for parents of athletes whose children will be part of the 2012/2013 Acrobatic Gymnastics team on Tuesday, June 19th from 7:30 to 8:15pm in the Meeting Room B in the Glen Abby Rec Centre.

Please be sure to have one parent (or both) attend this important information meeting.  If you have questions please hold onto them until after the meeting.  Your questions may be answered during the meeting.  There will be a question period at the end of the meeting.

If your athlete is not returning for the 2012/2013 season then you do not need to attend the meeting.  If your child did not receive a spot on the team you also do not need to attend the meeting.

Fall Draft Schedule

Here is the draft schedule for the fall and winter months.

I have put a September/October schedule and then a November onwards schedule as Niki Lavoie will be returning to the Tumbling program and there will be some changes in the tumbling program as of November 1st.  The Acro program will remain the same from September onwards until the end of the 2013 season on June 30th.

Vlarii is a male coach who will be coming to us from the Ukraine.  He has years of international, high level coaching experience.  Please welcome him to the club.

If you click on the image of the schedule it should come up in a larger format.

Summer Schedule

Here is the Summer Schedule for Acrobatic Gymnastics and Tumbling (yes the schedule posted says Tumbling Schedule but if you look closely the Acrobatic Gymnastics times are included).  We have tried to keep it all between Monday and Thursday for everyone.  This way you will be able to head to the cottage early on Friday.  We will be taking the last two weeks of August off (August 20th to 31st).  


We will plan to have Parent Meetings at some point at the end of June.  We will let you know when those will take place.


A September schedule is being worked on.  We will post it here as soon as it is completed.  


Competitive athlete packages will be ready in the Office next week.  Please stop by the office to pick up the information package from Agnes. 


Valerii is a male coach from the Ukraine that we are bringing in to work with Tumbling and Acrobatic Gymnastics.  He is presently performing with Cirque du Soleil.


If you have questions please address them in an email as we now have approximately 110 athletes offered spots in the Tumbling and Acrobatic Gymnastics program and just under 100 who did not receive a place in the program.  We will try to get back to everyone as soon as we can. 


Congratulations to everyone who was offered a spot in our programs.

Groups 2012 2013

Here are the Acrobatic Gymnastics groups set for the 2012 2013 season.  I will post more information later today or this evening regarding schedules for the summer and a draft schedule for the fall.

June Schedule complete

Here is the complete June schedule.