Oakville.com Article

Here is a link to another great article about the Acrobatic Gymnastics 1st Ontario Cup we hosted on the 18th.


Check out Oakville.com 


Follow the link in the article for more pictures.

http://www.oakville.com/articles/local-gymnasts-win-23-first-place-titles/

Happy Holidays from OGC Acrobatic Gymnastics Staff

North Oakville Today 1st Ontario Cup Acrobatic Gymnastics article

Oakville Beaver Article 1st Ontario Cup for Acrobatic Gymnastics article

OGC Acrobatics in Oakville Beaver and Oakville Today

Check us out in the newspaper and online at the following link:

http://www.insidehalton.com/sports/article/1263948--oakville-gymnastics-hosts-acrobatics-qualifier-sunday

Twist Activewear Apparel to be picked up

The Twist Activewear order is in.  Please pick up your items from the office today after 3:00pm.

If you have any concerns with the order please contact Twist Activewear at twist@cogeco.ca

Thanks for your orders.  Just in Time for Christmas.

1st Acro Cup Schedule

Hi Everyone,


Here is the schedule for the 1st Ontario Cup for Acrobatic Gymnastics.


My apologies for the lateness that you are receiving this schedule.  The problem with schedules is that it takes a bit to create them as we are often waiting on late registrations and dealing with corrections, changes and with-drawls.


Once we have the entire registration then we can create a definitive schedule.  Please note that this is common to receive a competition schedule the week before the competition or the week of, in this case.


Simply try to plan to be there for the entire day and once you receive the final schedule then you can make alternative arrangements.  I also understand that with it being the weekend before Christmas holiday many of you will have family events planned for this weekend.  Please feel free to bring them along for the competition as it will be quite a show.


I was very keen to have Oakville Gymnastics host this inaugural event and the only weekend where we would not have to have rescheduled several hundred recreational athletes was this Sunday at the end of the recreational session.  


Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and support as we strive to develop this new gymnastics discipline and to deliver the best opportunities for our Oakville athletes to achieve success.


Please be at least an hour early for your event as the competition may run ahead of schedule (fingers crossed).


Be sure to have your daughter's hair up in a tight bun.  No nail polish.  No earrings  (or body piercings, etc.)


Good luck and don't forget about the Saturday night training for all OGC acrobats competing this weekend between 5:00 and 7:00pm at the OGC.

Watch British Open on BG webTV

Watch the 2011 British Open Tournament for Tumbling and Acrobatic Gymnastics live on the BG web TV.


Jamie Patrick and Cory Marsh will be competing in the Junior MP Balance competition at 9:30am UK time (4:30am Canada time).


Jack McGarr will be competing in the Men's 15-16 Tumbling at 14:40 (2:40pm) UK time (9:40am Canada time).


Follow the link:

http://www.british-gymnastics.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2354&Itemid=419

January 2012 Acro Schedule

Here is (an albeit not so clear) January 2012 schedule for the acrobatic gymnastics program.

Please note the special training on Friday, January 6th for all Interclub Group 1 and 2 athletes.  Think of this as a mini-training camp.  Please let your coach know if can come to this session.

December 2011 schedule

Here it is!  The December schedule.

Please note the special training set for Saturday, December 17th from 5:00 to 7:00pm for all of those acro athletes who will be competing during the competition on December 18th.  This is one last run through of routines before the big day.  

Please be sure to confirm with your coaches that you will be at this mandatory training session.

There are No Interclub Group 1 or 2 classes over the holiday break.

All athletes should be sure to let their coaches know when they will be away over the holiday break if they will be missing training.  Note the alternative training times.  The week between Christmas and New Years the viewing area may be closed so athletes will be dropped off and returned to the sliding glass doors at the front of the club.

1st Ontario Cup for Acro Poster

We are getting closer.  Good luck to all of our hard working acrobats as they prepare for the Acrobatic Gymnastics 1st Ontario Cup.

December schedule on its way...

 The December schedule is on its way.  We have a Director's Meeting on Monday, December 5th to finalize all training times over the holiday break.  


The schedule will be posted on Monday evening.


As for now all classes are running as per the normal schedule.


Please note that acro trainings will likely be in the afternoons on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each of the two weeks the athletes have off from school.

1st Ontario Cup for Acrobatic Gymnastics

The Oakville Gymnastics Club will be hosting the first ever official Acrobatic Gymnastics competition on December 18th, 2011. 


For details on the competition please follow the link to the Gymnastics Ontario website events section.


http://ogf.com/events/details.php?event_id=2860


We look forward to hosting clubs from across Ontario and welcoming friends from Alberta and Quebec.

OGC Judges: We have 8!!!

Sitting Front (l-r) Suren Torosyants, Sarah Thomas, Valere Binet, Don Holmes

Standing (l-r): Nancy Carss, Debbie D’Sousza, Amanda George, Suzie Owen, Jane Kirwan, Marissa Balogh, Jackie Wald, Anastasiya Torosyants, Tony Baker, Jackie Patrick, Joe Pacheco, Sandra Baker

On October 29^th and 30^th Gymnastics Ontario hosted the first ever Acrobatic Gymnastics Judging course in Canada.   With 14 participants completing the course we now have a great base of judges to put to the test during this year’s Acro competitions.  With two qualifiers and a Provincial Championships our new judges will have ample opportunity to perfect their eye for detail and delivery of scores.

Sarah Thomas and Valere Binet from USA Gymnastics Federation flew in from Annapolis, Maryland to instruct our group of enthusiastic new judges on the ins and outs of judging acrobatics.  Sarah is also a coach at 1^st Class Gymnastics Club where she heads a program of 50 acrobatic gymnasts and Valere is a USAG Judge for Acrobatic Gymnastics formerly from Belgium.  Thank you to this dynamic duo for educating our group on how to be top judges.  

Thank you to Sarah and Valere as well as the USA Gymnastics Federation for the help and support we have received for this course and over the past several years as we have been developing Acrobatic Gymnastics in our Province. 

Good luck to all of our new judges and we look forward to smooth adjudication throughout the 2011/2012 Acrobatic Gymnastic season. 

Sunday October 30th Schedule CHANGE

Hi Everyone,

This Sunday Gymnastics Ontario is hosting a Judging Course for Acrobatic Gymnastics.  Don, Amanda, Jane and Dana will be participating in this course so there are some changes to this Sunday's schedule so that we can get back from the course to coach.

Developmental 3 Tumbling moved to 4:30 to 6:30pm with Amanda

Provincial DC Tumbling moved to 6:30 to 8:30pm with Amanda and Dana

Developmental 2 Tumbling moved to 6:30 to 8:30pm with Amanda and Dana

Interclub Acro Group 1 moved to 4:30 to 6:30pm with Jane and Dana

Interclub Acro Group 2 moved to 4:30 to 6:30pm with Jane and Dana

Also the Provincial Acro group and the Elite Acro group WILL have class on Sunday night.  I sent an email to let you know this but am posting it here as well.  On the October schedule it was originally cancelled when we thought the judging course would run longer.

Our apologies for the late notice on this change.  Most of you have already sent me a message back to inform me that you received this message.  Thanks.  For those of you who have not gotten back to Don please do so, so that we know you will not be coming to gym at the regular time.  

Please Note:  THE VIEWING AREA WILL BE CLOSED AFTER 7:00PM.  You can collect your child from the sliding glass doors at the front of the gym at 8:30pm.

Thanks for your understanding,

Tumbling and Acro Program

OGC Apparel! More pics.

Here are some better pictures of the apparel we have for sale.

OGC Apparel!!!

Here it is, THE OGC APPAREL LINE FOR 2011/2012!

Twist Activewear will be sizing athletes for these clothing items on 

Sunday, October 23rd between 12:00 and 4:00pm

Monday, October 24th between 4:00 and 7:00pm

Tuesday, October 25th between 4:00 and 7:00pm

All items are optional.  

Great Christmas presents!

You are not required by the tumbling program to get an OGC tracksuit this year but you are still welcome to.  Orders for the traditional tracksuit will be done through the office at a later date.  You could opt for the slimmer fitted tracksuit for the girls offered through Twist Activewear.

These items are on sale now.  

You can see the samples when you are fitted.  

These items are available to the athletes in the Tumbling and Acrobatic Gymnastics Program.  Interclub, Provincial and National athletes are invited to purchase some great OGC items to wear to training, competitions, at the mall, wherever you want.  

The sweat pants will look great with your Ugs, ladies!

Bring a Friend Family Fun Night

If anyone is interested we are hosting a fundraiser for the tumbling program on Saturday, October 22nd from 5:00 to 7:30pm.


All are welcome.


See the poster below.  Click on it to see it in a larger format.

Handstand Photo Contest Winners!

In 1st place with a total of 20 points (3 points for a 1st place vote, 2 points for a 2nd place vote and 1 point for a 3rd place vote) is Erin Oswald and her flexible handstand photo.

2nd place was Ally Maurice's handstand photo from a beach in Alaska.  Ally had a total of 16 points.

 3rd place was Kelsey Horn's handstand against the rock.  Kelsey had a total of 14 points.

Honorable mention, me.  I tied with Kelsey for 3rd but I am not really in the contest.  

Congratulations to all the those who stood on their hands.  Thanks for all the great photos.

Happy Thanksgiving

Please note that there will be NO TRAINING for the Acrobatic Gymnastics program on Sunday, October 9th or Monday, October 10th.


Interclub Group 1 will have a Make Up Class on Wednesday, October 12th from 6:30 to 8:30pm to replace the Sunday class.


Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Handstand Photo Contest Prizes

Hey Everyone,


I am asking for votes on this summer's best handstand photos.  So scroll down and give all the handstand photos a a second look.  Choose your top three in order and send me your 1st, 2nd and 3rd place handstand photos.   


Please email me, Don, either at this blog address:  
dholmes.acro@gmail.com 
or 
dholmes_tumbling@hotmail.com 
to submit your vote.


I will be bringing in a photo contest sheet to class for everyone to vote on as well.


Here are the great prizes you might win!
1st Place, a t-shirt, a program from Cirque du Soleil's Varekai, and 26 mini-chocolate bars

 2nd place, a bag of Smarties because you were so smart with your photo

3rd Place, a frog or a cow that love handstand as much as you do 

(Note:  There are two of everything because I have a Flip Photo contest in the Tumbling Program and a Handstand Photo contest in the Acrobatic Gymnastics Program.  Winners don't get double the prizes.  Sorry.)

October Acrobatic Gymnastics Schedule 2011

Here is the October Acrobatic Gymnastics program schedule.  My apologies for not having it posted before October started. 


Please note that there are a few changes to the schedule.


As mentioned at the Parent Meeting the Provincial Group schedule would be changing.  For this month the Sunday and Tuesday times will remain the same.  Sunday will be coached by Dana.  Tuesday will be coached by Dana with Don assisting.  The Thursday night training time will be moving back to 7:00 to 9:00pm so that the athletes will have more floor time to work routines as we will be starting choreography in the next couple weeks.
Once our new coach arrives the Tuesday Provincial class will also move back to the later time slot.  Sorry for the changes but we have to work around the heavy gym loading on those two days.  By switching to the later time the Acro program will be better served.


We are still caught up in paper work for Jane but we will have her here sooner than later.  Fingers crossed. 


All other groups will run normally for October with noted exceptions being Thanksgiving and Halloween.  We will email you with Make Up Class times.


The weekend of October 29th and 30th there will be a training camp for the Provincial and Elite Group as well as a Judge's Course for all of those who are interested.  More details to come on those two events.  Interclub Acrobats will have a training camp in January.

Competition Training Suits

Just letting everyone know that we will be having Saucy's World (a local gym suit manufacturer) come into the gym on Sunday, October 2nd to measure athletes for the royal blue and black leotards.


Athletes are expected to have this short sleeve leotard for Training Camps, Competitions and demonstrations.  We will be using this suit during the warm up and training sessions at competition so all Provincial and Elite group acrobats need to have it.  The cost is minimal.  (For competitions the athletes will get other suits that are suited to the routines we will be building).


Measuring will take place between 5:30 and 6:30pm.  I think all boys have the black singlet and black shorts but if there are any others they are welcome to purchase them as well.


I have sent an email to everyone who I think needs the suit.


If you are in either of the Interclub groups you are welcome to purchase the suit but you are not obligated to.  If you would like a suit you should come to the measuring session on Sunday, October 2nd at the gym.


The suit looks like the one Alexandra (the base) is wearing in this picture.

Handstand Photo Contest 21

Here is the last of the handstand photo contest submissions.  Erin looks way too comfortable.

Acrobatic Gymnastics Event Schedule 2011/2012 in Ontario

To see this image in a larger format click on the image.

Parent Meeting Notes 2011

For all of those parents of athletes in Acrobatic Gymnastics program who are a little confused or missed the parent meeting here is everything that was mentioned during the meeting.  Always check your emails and keep you eye here on the blog for more info.  If you have questions feel free to contact Don.


Congratulations to all the Acrobatic Gymnasts who were offered spots in the Oakville Gymnastics Club Acrobatic Gymnastics Program for the 2011/2012 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
Niki Lavoie – Coach Provincial Acro Group
Dana Khan – Interclub Acro Groups 1 & 2
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, cell 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.



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.


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.


Maternity Leave:  We are in the process of hiring a coach from abroad to take over the Provincial Group coaching for Niki as of October 1^st.  If there is a delay in the paper work needed to bring this coach we will simply continue with the present groups and coaches until that coach arrives.  When the new coach arrives she will also take the Interclub 1 & 2 groups.  When this change over occurs the Provincial Acro group will have a change of training times: Tuesday will change from 4:30 to 6:30 to 7:15 to 9:15pm, Thursday will change from 3:30 to 5:30 to 7:00 to 9:00pm.  These later times work better for gym loading and will provide out acrobats with more time on the floor as they work on building their routines.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation regarding schedules.  These changes will remain in effect until June 30^th, 2012.



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:  See attachment.


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.  The royal and black suits for the girls can be purchased through Saucy’s World.  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 welcome to purchase the warm up leos but it is not mandatory. Only a competition suit will 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 $300 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 in the next couple weeks.  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 next couple weeks.  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/


OGC AGM Sunday, October 2^nd in the Rec Centre.  You get 3 volunteer hours for attending so it is worth it to come and sit through the meeting.  It is an important part of your responsibilities as a Parent of a Competitive athlete to attend this annual event.
Questions?

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

Handstand Work View WOW!

Here is one of the most impressive handstand acts I've ever seen.  Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBSjhzYnfAs