2012 Canadian Sport Policy

LAYOUT
September 2012
On the Cover: Oh Canada!
History in the making! Included
is BC’s Brittany Rogers who became the first Canadian woman
to make an event final at both
a World Championships and
Olympic Games!
Managing Editor
Brian Forrester
Editor
Sandra Lewis
Contributors: BC Sport Agency,
Laura-Ann Chong, Coaching Association of Canada, Cowichan News
Leader Pictorial, Cranbrook Townsmen, Delta Gymnastics, Glacier
Gymnastics, Gymnastics Canada,
Sandra Lewis, Nelson Star, Philip
Raphael (South Delta Leader),
Richmond Review, Emanuel Sequeira (Penticton Western News),
SIRC, Squamish Chief
Gymnastics BC
230-3820 Cessna Drive
Richmond, BC, Canada, V7B 0A2
Telephone: (604) 333-3GYM | Fax:
(604) 333-3499 | email: info@
gymnastics.bc.ca | www.gymnastics.bc.ca
Gymnastics BC Board of
Directors
OLYMPIC CHAMPION!
Canada’s Rosie MacLennan celebrates her gold medal at the 2012 Olympics.
MacLennan upset the favoured Chinese with her high-flying routine that set a
record for the highest score in competition. Karen Cockburn narrowly missed out
on her fourth Olympic medal as she finished fourth. MacLennan was Canada’s only
gold medalist. For more on the Olympics see page 9 (photo by Grace Chiu)
4
Beatboard
10 Chalk Talk
Behind the Curtain at Cirque du Soleil, Help Build
Futures, 2012 Canadian Sport Policy, Dismounts
Success in Squamish, Cheerleading Expansion
6
Flood & Hangout - Club reopens after flood, new
home in Penticton
Athletes
From Mats to Tracks, WAG National Team,
Merciful Voyage for former Ladner Gymnast
9
Olympics
Canada makes history at 2012 Olympics
10 2012 Canada Cup
11 Clubs
12 Coaching
Fuelling the Young Athlete, Mental Training
16 Coming Attractions
President Twyla Ryan; Vice
President Susan Willett; Finance
Ryan Finner; Directors at Large
Andrea Donohoe, Dorothy Sitek,
TBA; Technical Chairs WAG
Megan Conway, MAG Mike Hood,
TG June Booth, GFA Mary Morice
Gymnastics BC Provincial
Advisory Committee
Zone 1 Tracy Simpson; Zone
2 Heather Ivanitz; Zone 3 Ken
Stewart; Zone 4 Carlene Lewall;
Zone 5 Cari Wilson; Zone 6
Heather LaPage; Zone 7 Laureen
Kean; Zone 8 Lucia Fendelet
Gymnastics BC Staff
CEO Brian Forrester; Technical
Director Andrée Montreuil;
Marketing & Communications
Director Sandra Lewis;
Gymnastics For All Coordinator
Aimee Kapil; Coaching
Coordinator Catherine Dubinsky;
Community Access Program
Coordinator Brittany Cawson;
Event Coordinator Chantelle
Judd; Provincial Coach Richard
Ikeda; TG Coordinator Debbie
McBoyle; MAG Coordinator John
Carroll; WAG Coordinator Nancy
Beyer; IST Coordinator Gavin
Leung
3 | GYM N A ST I C S BC | S E PT E M B E R 2 0 1 2
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Beatboard
Behind the Curtain
BC’s Laura-Ann Chong details life as she begins training with Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du LA?
Is this really happening?
Am I really in the circus??
It sounds so silly and yet,
amazingly awesome!
I didn’t get to my
residence until late... almost
midnight and had to get up
on Wednesday at 9:30am
for my initial welcome and
physical test.
The first thing that happened that morning was that I got my
picture taken for my company ID tag :) It was music to my ears
to hear: “Welcome to Cirque! You are now officially a member of
the company.”
After meeting with the physio, finishing my Impact test
(neurological testing), and meeting with the doctor, I was cleared
for full training :) I had never been so relieved to hear those
words!
We then had a general welcome with everyone in the
General Formation (GF) program. It was a small group made up
of athletes from Russia, Argentina, the United States, and I was
the sole representative for Canada.
Let the training begin!
Week 2 in Montreal meant the first week of official training!!!!
WOOOO!!! Even though I had been in Montreal since Tuesday
night, it didn’t really feel like I was a part of Cirque because all
I had really had was a bunch of meetings and tests that told me
I was in the circus... I never really got to experience it last week.
But... Monday came and FINALLY! I can now, officially feel like
I’m starting to live it.
On Monday, my training partner, Melissa arrived! I was
relieved to find out that I wouldn’t be working out by myself for
all of formation. Mel had just finished a temp contract as part
of Saltimbanco, so it’s nice to have her experience of being on a
show. We had one artistic class later in the week, which is where
our choreographer from our show comes to work with us and
helps us develop into the characters we need to become on the
shows. It is REALLY challenging for me to just move and not
look “too gymnastic-like” and just let myself loose and move
without criticizing what I look like.
We train bars for 2 hours everyday... my coach back home,
David Kenwright, would have LOVED this. 2 hours of bars..
and no complaining haha. It is nice though because we split up
4 | GYMNASTICS BC | S E PT E M B E R 2 0 1 2
training so the second hour we work only on classic bars or “old
school bars,” where they are MUCH closer. This has been very
cool and very interesting to learn. It is completely different than
what uneven bars is in this day and age, and I never thought I’d
be training bars like this because well... it’s ancient! haha.
On Wednesday evening, I headed downtown to meet up
with three girls that I use to compete against back when I was
on the Novice and Junior Canadian National Teams! We figured
out that our last competition with each other was probably in
Kiev, Ukraine back in... 2002? It’s amazing to think how many
connections I have across Canada.. and the world, just because of
the opportunities gymnastics has provided me with.
Week Threeeee!!
Wow, time is flying. I’ve already completed 2 of the 7 weeks I have
to train here in Montreal for the uneven bars act in Amaluna!
Time is flying by and I have a feeling it’s only going to go by
faster.
On Tuesday, my training partner and I got to go to the
gymnastics club, Club Gymnix, to train with some softer mats
and a pit and to work with Pierre Prive, who is one of the head
coaches at Gymnix and actually helped in the creative processes
of Amaluna.
I’ve known Pierre from my previous gymnastics career as we
have both been around for a while and have had several occasions
where we’ve encountered one another. He’s a great guy and I’m
so excited that I get to work with him, especially since he had so
much to do with the creation of the act. I can definitely trust that
he knows what he’s doing and he’s very willing to help us come
up with some original moves that we can introduce to the show.
We also started conditioning this week and we had a circuit
made specifically for us. Was quite challenging, but not over the
top. It’s just nice to have a program again. For me, it definitely
keeps me on track as I try to work out on my own, but it’s never
as beneficial as if I had a schedule to follow.
The artistic stuff is starting to improve and I can tell I’m
feeling a little more comfortable. After talking with my artistic
coach we pinpointed what’s holding me back... my entire life, I’ve
been judged on how I look. That’s what gymnastics is all about.
So naturally, I’ve grown up to be self-conscious in my movement
and that is exactly what I need to forget about in order to excel
and really perform. I think now that I’ve identified the issue, I will
start to really progress... so I hope :P
For more on Laura-Ann’s Circus Adventure check out her
blog: http://www.laura-annchong.com/blog.php
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Beatboard
Help Build
Futures
For 2012, Gymnastics BC has
committed to four scholarships, in
reflection of the quality of our studentathletes. With your donation, we can
Gymnastics BC Scholarship
increase the support provided to our
Fund
exceptional members.
With rising tuition costs, and reduced
Since 2006, Gymnastics BC has
government funding, the Gymnastics BC
awarded nearly $10,000 in scholarships
scholarships help our
to 19 registered
athletes achieve the
Gymnastics
BC
Gymnastics
BC
future of their dreams.
athletes. All
of
Scholarship
Fund
One way you can
these
recipients
help build futures is
are
remarkable
by contributing to the Gymnastics BC
young
adults
with
outstanding
Scholarship Fund and directly to the
accomplishments, both in and out of the
futures of these young athletes. Your
classroom.
donation ensures that this program
Each year, the selection committee
continues and grows to meet their needs.
is faced with the difficult decision of
Make your donation to the Gymnastics
choosing among several students who
BC Scholarship Fund today: http://
excel in gymnastics, academically and
tinyurl.com/gbcscholars
within their community.
2012 Canadian
Sport Policy
The 2012 Canadian Sport Policy is now
finalized and is ambitious in its effort
to improve the full spectrum of sport in
Canada. The vision for the 2012 Canadian
Sport policy emphasizes a commitment to
learning and implementing best practices
in an ever changing environment.
This includes building collaborative
partnerships and linkages within the sport
system, as well as with other sectors such as
education and health, within municipalities,
municipal governments and community
organizations, and with schools, recreation
providers and the private sector.
The vision also recognizes the
importance of creative, progressive
approaches to resource sharing,infrastructure
development, community partnerships,
and program delivery. The vision reflects
the importance of nurturing a culture that
develops all aspects of sport participation, is
proud of its high performance athletes, and
DISMOUNTS
Leader Change
Delta Gymnastics’ Excecutive
Director Mark Friesen has left
the society to pursue a Master’s
degree in Urban Studies at SFU
this fall. Taking over the helm is
Ana Arciniega, who, for the past
six years has served as Executive
Director of the Tsawwassen Business
Improvement Association.
Three Amigos
Richmond Gymnastics’ Jason Scott,
Robert Watson and Joshua Stuart
were among the 10 area athletes
selected by the Richmond Review
to watch for at the 2016 Olympics!
http://www.richmondreview.com/
sports/163953806.html
New Facility
Key City Gymnastics in Cranbrook
is finalizing plans to move into a
new facility. The exciting news was
announced during their year-end
show in June!
Homecoming
leverages sport for the benefit of its youth
and the enhancement of its communities.
Links to the complete edition of the
2012 Canadian Sport Policy as well as a
summary version are available below:
Complete Report: http://sirc.ca/
CSPRenewal/documents/CSP2012_
EN.pdf
Low Res Version: http://sirc.ca/
CSPRenewal/documents/CSP2012_
EN_LR.pdf
Summary Sheet: http://sirc.ca/
CSPRenewal/documents/CSP_Sheet_
EN.pdf
Gymnastics BC’s Men’s Artistic
Gymnastics Coordinator, John Carroll
has returned to the Surrey Gymnastic
Society as the Competitive Program
Director. This follows a stint with the
Kamloops Gymnastics Trampoline
Centre
CRUSHED
In a recent game, Vancouver
Canadians designated hitter Art
Charles crushed a mammoth solo
home run that landed on the roof of
the Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics
building beyond the right field fence.
The Canadians won the game.
5 | GYM N A ST I C S BC | S E PT E M B E R 2 0 1 2
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Athletes
From Mats to Tracks
F
ormer Duncan Dynamics gymnast Taryn Smiley has
moved from the mats of gymnastics to the track.
The Cowichan Valley Athletic Club Jaguars track
and field athlete, who’s going into Grade 10 at
Cowichan Secondary School and turns 15 on September
13, picked up gold and silver medals this summer at the BC
Summer Games.
Smiley joined Chicago Bains, Hannah Cater of Oak
Bay and Taylor Morton on a 4x100 metre relay team that
set a B.C. Games record.
Smiley also won silver in the 100 meter with a great run
and added a fifth in the 200.
“I always did track and field with school,’’ said Smiley,
who’s been with the Jaguars for two years.
She spent five years with the Duncan Dynamics
Gymnastics Club that really helped with her strength and
power. “For a couple of years I did both,’’ said Smiley, who’s
still coaching in gymnastic camps.
edited from the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial
T
aryn Smiley’s CVAC teammate is another former
gymnast, Chicago Bains, who represented Lion’s
Pride. Bains attended the 2008 BC Winter Games
in gymnastics before making the switch to track and
field.
This season, Bains is one of the best in Canada in her
age group in the 80 metre hurdles. She recently returned
from the 2012 Legion Canadian Youth Championships in
Charlottetown with a silver medal.
What makes this even more noteworthy is that she was
competing against girls two years older than her. Her time
of 11.77 was a personal best. She also ran the first leg for
the Jaguars relay team that finished third in the U18 girls
relay.
Bains started with the hurdles this season and has
quickly become one of the best in BC. At the B.C. Athletics
provincial championships in Coquitlam she showed just
how far she has come.
She not only won the 80-metre hurdles, she did it in
the third fastest time ever in B.C. for 14-year-old girls. The
record of 11.5 seconds goes back to 1986 and Bains came
close in 11.85 in circumstances that even amazed her coach
John May of Black Creek.
“It was into a headwind,’’ he said.
“The kid’s amazing. I’ve worked with lots of young
hurdlers. What she’s got is very rare.’’
The effects of the negative 1.9 wind meant athletes
were all off their personal bests, except Bains.
“She’s running .17 under her personal best,’’ May said
in disbelief.
“I was hoping she could get under the 12-second mark.
She just blew it away — literally.
edited from the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial
Top Right: Taryn Smiley (r) in the 100m at the BC Games.
Left: Chicago Bains dominates the hurdles.
6 | GYMNASTICS BC | S E PT E M B E R 2 0 1 2
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Athletes
Brittany Rogers & Shallon Olsen Selected to Women’s
Artistic Gymnastics National Team
2012 Olympian Brittany Rogers (Flicka)
and Canadian Junior Champion Shallon
Olsen (Omega) have been named to the
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics National
Team.
Rogers continues to be a member of the
senior team. She won medals at two world
cups before helping Canada to a best ever
5th place finish at the 2012 Summer
Olympics. Her season was capped by
finishing 7th in the Olympic vault finals.
Olsen is a young dynamo who won the all
around title at the Slovenian International
Junior Competition and bronze at the
Top Gym Competition. She is a member
of a very strong Canadian Junior team
shown regular improvement in her D and
E scores in the last 12 months and:
that is impressing with their talent.
For selection to the national team as
stated by Gymnastics Canada an athlete
must obtain very good results for her year
of birth at a minimum of two national
level competitions in a row (Elite Canada/
Canadian Championships or Canadian
Championships/Elite Canada), have
•
be considered as having the talent,
dedication and environment to reach
Senior National Team status in case
of a Novice or Junior athlete;
•
have demonstrated the ability to
perform well on the international
scene in case of a Senior National
Team member.
Omega’s Seina Murase-Cho was selected
to the Espoir team for athletes who have
not yet made the National Team but have
demonstrated the possibility of making it
within the next six months.
Merciful voyage for former Ladner gymnast
edited from article by Philip Raphael, South Delta Leader
Ladner’s Tabitha Goossen is
looking forward to a cruise off
the coast of West Africa at the
end of the month.
But don’t be thinking of
leisurely games of shuffleboard
on the Lido Deck, or cocktails
in a comfy lounge recliner by
the pool.
The reality will be assisting with some
life-changing medical help for many
residents making their way to Conakry,
Guinea, where Goossen’s home for six
months starting at the end of August will
be the Africa Mercy.
It’s the world’s largest charity hospital
ship, a 152 metre long, re-fitted and repurposed rail ferry—one of four vessels in
the Mercy Ships fleet.
It’s a place Goossen, a 22-year-old
former competitive gymnast with Delta
Gymnastics, says she wanted to be after
8 | GYMNASTICS BC | S E PT E M B E R 2 0 1 2
hearing about the experience
from a friend who had recently
served aboard one.
Goossen, who graduated a
year ago from UBC’s human
kinetics program, says she
plans to use her knowledge as
one the 450 volunteers aboard
the Africa Mercy to make a difference.
On the ship she will serve as a receptionist.
“Basically, I will be the first point of
contact for pretty much everyone,
whether they are patients or other crew
members. I will also be qualified to do
other medical-related stuff,” she says.
“They get surgeons, doctors and physios
from all over the world to volunteer their
time. They provide everything from basic
medical care to surgeries for people in
West Africa.”
She will get the opportunity to spend her
off hours viewing some of those medical
procedures done on the vessel, and is also
hoping to use her knowledge with rehab
work on patients.
A few weeks ago she attended special
safety training courses in Texas. And she
is busy raising funds to help pay for her
stay aboard the Africa Mercy.
“We have to pay our crew fees, which goes
to maintaining the ship,” she explains,
adding her goal is to raise $8,000.
So far, family and friends have donated
around $3,500.
Following her stint on the Africa Mercy,
Goossen plans to apply for medical
school.
Donations to her fundraising efforts can
be made on her Mercy Ships web page
at http://mercyships.donorpages.com/
MERCYGIFTS/TabithaGoossen/.
Read more: http://www.southdeltaleader.
com/community/166419856.html
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Canada Makes History at 2012 Olympics
BC’s Brittany Rogers and
Canadian team go down
in the history book as the
best ever!
In the history of women’s gymnastics in
Canada, there have been some great
Olympic performances. BC’s Kate
Richardson competing in the floor exercise
final in 2004 or the previous team best of
ninth in 2000 come to mind. But never has
a team qualified for the team final in a fully
contested Games, nor have two athletes
made an event final!
That is until 2012 when a team of young
women from across Canada made history
in London. BC’s Brittany Rogers (Flicka)
and teammates Kristina Vaculik, Victoria
Moors, Dominique Pegg and Ellie Black
proved that Canada is among the world’s
best.
Simply by qualifying for the team finals,
the Fabulous Five reached unprecedented
heights, notching the best ever team result
in Olympic competition in a non-boycotted
Games while qualifying two gymnasts in
the vault final and another in the individual
all around final.
Competing in the third of five subdivisions
in the qualification round, the Canadian
team ranked fourth in intermediate results
and had to wait it out for the next two
groupings to see if they made it into the top
eight, ultimately snagging
the eighth and last spot in
the final.
“We kept fighting and
never gave up, even
when things didn’t go well
after our beam rotation,”
said Rogers. “It really was
all about the team.”
Rogers was one of
Canada’s leaders as she
scored top scores on both
vault (7th) and uneven
bars (16th).
By already having achieved their goal
of making the team finals, the team
came out with confidence and attacked
the apparatus. With broadcasters Kyle
Shewfelt and Rod Black among those
waving Canadian flags, they hit every
routine.
As expected the Americans won the gold
handily but sitting just four points behind
the Chinese were the Canadians in fifth!
An amazing result for the five gymnasts
who have jelled into Canada’s best ever
women’s Olympic gymnastics team despite
the absence of team star Peng Peng
Lee, who was knocked out of the Games
with a knee injury at the 2012 Canadian
championships at the end of May.
“It honestly is amazing,” national team
director Kyna Fletcher said. “You’re in the
big leagues, and when you’re dealing with
the top four, where they are now, you know
you’re in reach. It’s fabulous.”
“We thought, coming in, that we could be
sixth,” Canadian coach Dave Brubaker
said. “We were going to be happy with
eighth or seventh. And fifth is just icing on
the cake.”
Vault finalists Rogers and teammate
Black are among a handful of Canadian
women gymnasts to qualify for an Olympic
individual event final. Only two
other Canadian women have
made it to an Olympic event
final: Kelly Brown who placed
sixth on vault at the 1984
Games and Kate Richardson,
eighth in the women’s floor final
at the 2004 Games in Athens.
And for Rogers, she becomes
the first Canadian woman to
ever qualify for an Olympic and
World Championship event final!
In the vault finals, Rogers was
the first athlete to compete and shook off
the nerves associated with being first-up
and landed two solid vaults. By the end of
the competition she was seventh and one
of only three athletes to land both of their
vaults!
“I couldn’t have imagined a better
Olympics for me,” Rogers told Postmedia
after the competition. “I didn’t get the gold
medal but it was so much fun out there.”
Black fell on her first vault and injured her
ankle resulting in her not completing her
second vault.
Canada’s other finalist was Dominique
Pegg who competed in the All Around final,
finishing 17th.
Pegg also made headlines earlier in the
week when Justin Bieber’s reply to her
Tweet went viral.
Before the team qualification, Pegg
tweeted, “K @justinbieber I will be
competing in the Olympics in a few hours
now. I think its time that you say goodluck!
#London2012 #TeamCanada :)”
His response, “@domiP3gg sorry im late 2
the party. want to let you know as a proud
canadian Im always supporting you and
proud of you. STAND UP CANADA! :)”
And stand up they did! Congrats to the
entire Olympic team!
9 | GYM N A ST I C S BC | S E PT E M B E R 2 0 1 2
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BC Hosts the World at
2012 Canada Cup
Athletes from across Canada, Great
Britain, Germany, France and Japan
competed in July at the 2012 Trampoline
Gymnastics Canada Cup in Langley.
trampoline titles on the final day of
competition.
With Karen Cockburn, Rosie MacLennan
and Jason Burnett at home in Toronto
putting the finishing touches on their
preparation for the London Games, the
door was wide open for Canada’s rising
stars in trampoline to make a splash.
Olivia Bortolazzo (Shasta): 1st DMT
(Senior)
BC athletes won 28 medals during the
weekend including 11 gold:
Anita Cirillo (Shasta ): 3rd Trampoline
(Senior)
Liam Doherty (Shasta): 1st Trampoline
(Novice 11-14), 3rd DMT (Novice 11-14)
Sebastien St. Germain of Montreal and
Mariah Madigan of Toronto did just
that winning the men’s and women’s
Ben Blais (Shasta): 2nd Trampoline
(Novice 11-14), 2nd Synchro (Novice)
Duncan Blais (Shasta): 3rd Trampoline
(Novice 11-14), 1st DMT (Novice 11-14)
Carolina Cirillo (Shasta): 1st Trampoline
(Novice 15+)
Matthew Bloudov (Shasta): 2nd
Trampoline (Novice 15+)
Poppy Quinlan (Shasta): 2nd Trampoline
(Open)
Emma Tucker (Okanagan): 2nd DMT
(Youth)
Danielle Gruber (Okanagan): 3rd DMT
(Youth)
Kyle Carragher (TAG): 2nd DMT (Youth),
1st Tumbling (Youth), 3rd Synchro
(Novice)
Erin England (TAG): 1st DMT (Novice 1114), 2nd Tumbling (Novice 11-14)
Adele Lefevre (Okanagan): 3rd DMT
(Novice 11-14), 1st Tumbling (Novice
11-14)
Tiana Hesmert (Club Aviva): 1st DMT
(Open)
Poppy Quinlan (Shasta): 2nd DMT (Open)
Alex Phillips-Taylor (TAG): 3rd DMT (Open)
John Rowden (TAG): 2nd DMT (Open),
3rd Synchro (Novice)
Connor Doherty (Shasta): 3rd DMT
(Open)
Jared Khalifa (TAG): 1st DMT (Novice
15+), 1st Tumbling (Novice 15+)
Tamara O’Brien (TAG): 1st Tumbling
(Youth)
Tyler Edwards (Shasta): 2nd Synchro
(Novice)
Chalk Talk
Sqamish
Success
Gymnastics
Program
A
I am writing to give some feedback about
the gymnastics/gymnaestrada program
that ran this past winter/ spring. Wow! It
blew my mind! The entire experience for
these girls in Whistler this past weekend is
by far the best I have ever registered any of
my kids for — in or out of BPRC. And I could
not speak more highly of Amanda Morris as
she is the reason it was what it was.
From a skill development perspective: I am
not sure I can accurately speak to this as I
10 | GYMNASTICS BC | S E PT E M B E R 2 0 1 2
am not a gymnast; however, it appears to
me that kids really learn and grow through
this program which in turn builds confidence
and a love of the sport. The routine was at
least in the top five at the B.C. Gymnaestrada
show in Whistler, I would say top three out
of 19 but some might say I was biased. She
maximized each girl’s abilities; it was a total
team event, and very entertaining.
Excerpted from a letter to the Squamish
Recreation Program and printed in the
Squamish Chief
Cowichan
Cheerleading
Spring Base
Valley
Allstars
establishes
Salt
Salt Spring youth had opportunity to try their
skill at a new athletic challenge when the
Cowichan Valley AllStars Cheerleading set up
shop at Fulford Hall this summer.
CV Allstars Cheer ran two week-long camps,
that provided the introduction to a complex
and fully involved athletic program for boys
and girls aged 12 to 18.
Gulf Islands Driftwood
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Clubs
Flood and Hangout
Club Re-Opens After Flood
Heavy rain on July 17 caused major damage
to Nelson’s Glacier Gymnastic Club.
“Our coaches were in the middle of
coaching and happened to look up and
see a bunch of water pouring through the
door,” said Heather Beaudoin, who works
at the gymnastics club. “They had to
hustle the kids up into the viewing area,
as they are obviously the first priority.
“By the time they had moved all the
kids, there were hundreds of gallons of
water coming through. So they couldn’t
do anything to block it.”
The floor ended up flooding with a
layer of water about 13 centimetres deep,
soaking the equipment and spring floor.
Dirt and other debris was also brought
into the gymnasium.
Clean up began as soon as the water
stopped flowing. After moving all the
equipment, crews started pumping the
water out of the floor and cleaning up all
the mud and debris.
The club reopened on July 30 with
regular summer programming, in large part
to all of the volunteers who were willing to
come and help clean up the space.
with files from the Nelson Star and Glacier
Gymnastics
Gymnasts find new hangout in
hangar
FitKidz Gymnastics Club has found its
dream home.
It took a few years, but FitKidz
Gymnastics Club will be in an airport
hangar thanks to Gordon Lindsay. For
the next five years, the gymnasts will have
nearly 9,000 square feet of space to have
fun and work on their skills.
“The airport hangar makes the perfect
space for our rapidly growing gymnastics
club,” said head coach and general manager
Annette Card. “It allows us to add programs
such as school age drop-in, rhythmic
Fitkidz Gymnastics club members Kalli Doell, Katelin Coombes, Olivia Devito, Katarina
Sterk, Olivia D. Owen and Gord Lindsay are excited about their new partnership.
gymnastics classes, pre-provincial teams,
Gym’n Jazz with the Okanagan Dance
studios, acro classes, special clinics such as
movie stunts and allows our competitive
teams to add more time.”
Card said she learned about the
availability while reading a story in the
Western News. Card added that there are
several clubs in the country that use airport
hangars because of its wide, open space.
“We can set the equipment up, have
a jumping station. There is a viewing area
for the parents,” said Card.
FitKidz Gymnastics Club, which
started in 2006, has 400 members in their
programs from ages 1 to 16 and will have
adult programs. Members have also been
rewarded for their efforts by qualifying
for provincials. Card said the move was
necessary because they had outgrown
their facility. The pre-school program
grew from seven to 249 kids in seven
months.
Susan Jordan, whose daughter Kalli
Doell is a member, is thrilled that a new
home has been found.
“The gymnasts are so excited and
now more families can enjoy the club,”
said Jordan.
Jordan likes the club because the
coaches create a safe, comfortable and
kind environment for children of all skill
levels.
“The coaches love their job, love
the children and I am thrilled that my
daughter has spent so many hours with
these amazing women,” said Jordan,
who is among the parents that help with
fundraising for the club, including trying
to save for a spring floor. “Everyone is
treated with respect and kindness and the
coaching skill level has been amazing.”
FitKidz Gymnastics Club will have
its grand opening Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m.
Emanuel Sequeira - Penticton Western News
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Coaching
CHUNKY Sport Nutrition
Protein & Related Sports Supplements
Athletes need more protein than inactive
individuals. While high quality food
sources (milk, meat, eggs, cheese, soy) can
easily meet their protein needs, athletes
often turn to popular protein supplements
as a quick fix.
They may also be confused about the
effectiveness and appropriate use of
other amino acid supplements, such
as L-glutamine, creatine, and possibly
“weight-gainers”.
EXAMPLES OF PROTEIN RICH
FOODS
Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese, cottage cheese,
tofu, nuts, nut butters, milk, yogurt and
legumes (kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc.)
Protein is an essential nutrient needed
for growth and development, to maintain
muscle, and to produce hormones,
enzymes, red blood cells and white blood
cells/ for the immune system. Dietary
protein is required on a daily basis,
especially on days of physical training.
Supplemental protein (in powders, bars
and drinks) is not superior to proteinrich foods, especially since many protein
supplements lack essential carbohydrates,
vitamins (e.g. B-vitamins), and minerals
(e.g. iron, calcium, zinc) found in natural
foods, hence the use of supplemental
protein as an “extra” rather than as a
replacement in meals.
Individually, athletes should have their diet
assessed by a Registered Dietitian who
specializes in sports nutrition to determine
if extra protein is warranted. A dietitian will
design a customized meal plan that ensures
optimal energy, protein, carbohydrate
and fat are balanced to meet desired body
composition and training goals.
Protein supplements, in the form of
whey, casein and soy, offer a portable,
convenient source of protein and calories
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for exercise recovery or a bedtime snack,
especially when combined with a mixture
of milk/soy drink, fruit, yogurt/ice cream
and/or possibly juice. In comparison, 125
ml (1/2 cup) of dried skim milk powder
provides the same amount of protein
as 1 scoop of most whey powders; skim
milk powder also contains both whey and
casein proteins.
If building muscle is an athlete’s personal
goal, be aware that a high protein diet or
protein supplements alone are not the
answer. Instead, to gain muscle, athletes
require enough calories (energy) from
fibre-rich carbohydrates, and healthy
fats, in addition to adequate high quality
protein, and regular strength training, i.e.,
2 – 3 times a week.
Excess protein from the diet and/or
supplements will be either used for extra
energy (if calories are too low), excreted
as waste, or potentially stored as body fat;
excess protein can also be dehydrating
unless ample fluids are consumed.
Popular “weight-gain” types of supplements
usually provide 600-1200 calories (or more)
per serving and while convenient, they are
expensive and not recommended for young
athletes. Most weight-gainers contain a
combination of protein, carbohydrates, and
fat with or without added vitamins and
minerals. Consider this less expensive, quick
and easy recipe:
Homemade High-Protein Shake:
50 ml (1/4 cup) dried skim milk powder
OR ½ scoop of whey
1.5 cups ice cream
1.5 cups 2% milk
1 banana
2 Tbsp chocolate syrup
Blend for less than 1 minute
1 serving = 953 calories, 35 g protein, 139
g carbohydrates, 28 g fat
WHAT IS......
L-Glutamine: The most abundant nonessential amino acid in our body is
L-glutamine. It has received popularity
with athletes since research has found
that during times of exhaustive exercise,
glutamine levels in the blood are reduced.
It is inconclusive if supplemental
glutamine helps to reduce post-exercise
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muscle soreness and/or boosts the immune system. Protein rich
foods contain sufficient glutamine (e.g. 4 ounces (120 g) meat,
fish or poultry = 4000-5000 mg glutamine). Milk, soy beverage,
tofu, legumes (i.e., kidney beans, chickpeas, baked beans) and
nuts also provide glutamine and help keep the immune system
strong.
Creatine: Supplemental creatine has been used by athletes for
decades, usually under the premise of building muscle. While
indirectly it may help promote muscle gains, specifically creatine
works by restoring energy (ATP) faster than normal recovery
between high intensity exercise efforts. Therefore, if an athlete
can recover faster after lifting a set of weights, or recover faster
between sprint intervals, they may in turn be able to do more
training and subsequently build muscle. But it’s not all great
news. There is no research to conclude if creatine is safe to take by
those under 18 years of age. Also, some athletes may experience
weight gain/water retention, and increase the risk of tearing
tendons or ligaments. This “short cut” to building mass is not a
quick fix solution to training hard and eating well.
While product manufacturers may make grandiose claims about
the benefits of supplemental protein and related supplements, it is
strongly recommended that athletes seek expert dietary advice by a
sport dietitian before reaching for these or other dietary supplements.
http://www.coach.ca/protein-related-sportssupplements-p142459
Classifieds
Nanaimo Gymnastics is hiring Competitive and Recreational Coaches coaches. (http://gymnastics.bc.ca/uploads/NanaimoAugust-2012.pdf)
Kamloops Gymnastics Trampoline Centre is looking for a Gymnastics For All Director (http://gymnastics.bc.ca/uploads/Kamloops_GFA_August_2012.docx)
UBC Gymnastics is accepting applications for the position of Active Kids Program Assistant (http://gymnastics.bc.ca/uploads/32475_Active_Kids_Program_Assistant.pdf)
Wayland Sports (Richmond) is currently looking for qualified and energetic Gymnastics and Trampoline Instructors to help with
recreational programs, birthday parties and field-trips. (http://gymnastics.bc.ca/uploads/Wayland-coaches-Aug2012.pdf)
Gymnastics Canada is seeking a qualified and accomplished professional and invites application for the position of Director of
Events. (http://gymnastics.bc.ca/uploads/32475_Active_Kids_Program_Assistant.pdf)
Saltos Gymnastics (Newfoundland) is hiring a coach responsible for the development of their athletes in the competitive men’s
and women’s gymnastics program. (http://gymnastics.bc.ca/uploads/Saltos_Coach_August_2012.pdf)
Revelstoke Acrobats is selling older Nissen trampoline frame with Ross bed, springs and frame pads. (http://gymnastics.bc.ca/
uploads/32475_Active_Kids_Program_Assistant.pdf)
Flipside Gymnastics (Nanaimo) is selling an AAI International ELITE™ Rhythmic Floor Top and 40x40 sprung floor system with
extra springs (http://gymnastics.bc.ca/view_doc_by_id.php?id=2743)
13 | GYM N A ST I C S BC | S E PT E M B E R 2 0 1 2
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Mental Training
You’ve worked hard and your body is in
peak condition, it’s important to ensure
your mind is also ready for the competition
ahead. Studies show that the highest
achieving athletes are those who train not
just physically, but mentally as well. Every
athlete has suffered from nervousness
or anxiety and without mental training
these nerves will likely affect performance.
Athletes who use effective mental training
can learn how to focus on the task at hand
and block out the fears they may have
when the pressure is on.
SIRC has compiled articles and links that
will help teach you about mental training,
it’s influence, who uses it, and how you can
incorporate into your own training to be
successful.
May Your Thoughts Come True
It is not unusual now in sports to see
athletes take a short moment in their
preparation routine to close their eyes,
relax, and focus before engaging into their
performance. A baseball player will do it
in the on-deck circle, a hockey goaltender
in the dressing room prior to the game, a
skier on top of the hill before a downhill
run, or a soccer player in preparation
for a penalty kick. Why are they doing
this? The answer is quite simple: they are
programming their minds and bodies to
respond optimally. By doing this, athletes
have the capacity to see, feel, and believe
which gives them the confidence and the
focus to perform successfully. Read More:
http://www.sirc.ca/newsletters/July12/
documents/Free/May%20Your%20
Thoughts%20Come%20True.pdf
How Coaches Molded Olympians
It has long been recognized that to
achieve success, Olympians not only
need to possess excellent technical skills
and physical fitness but also strong
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psychological skills. Mental toughness,
ability to focus, confidence, goal setting,
sport intelligence, positive or adaptive
perfectionism, willingness to be coached
and high optimism were some of the
important psychological factors found
among top Olympic performers. Beyond
knowing what it takes psychologically
to be great, we wanted to know what
influence coaches and other individuals,
significant in athletes’ lives, had on the
development of key mental skills and
characteristics. Read more: http://www.
sirc.ca/newsletters/July12/documents/
Free/How%20Coaches%20Molded%20
Olympians.pdf
Sweat is not Enough
Hours upon hours are spent preparing for
races. Miles are run. Intervals are timed,
and for many, the cross-training hours are
also logged. However, sweat is not enough
to maximize your potential. Planning
is one of the often-forgotten skills that
allow each athlete to toe the line with
confidence on a competition day. Yet,
planning or preparing a routine seems to
be a lost art. We’re not talking about the
physical warm-up and cool-down; sweat
is not enough. Rather, we’re referring to
mental and emotional preparation for
competition. Read more: http://www.sirc.
ca/newsletters/July12/documents/Free/
Sweat%20is%20not%20Enough.pdf
10 Minute Toughness
Premise of mental training: if you have
a strong belief in your ability to perform
well, the chances of your actually
performing well greatly improve. Goals
of mental training: calmness, confidence
& being focused on what is needed to
be successful to yield your maximum
performance and potential … and
beyond. Mental training also helps with
personal judgment and decisions in your
personal life. Read more: http://www.
sirc.ca/newsletters/July12/documents/
Free/10%20Minute%20Toughness.pdf
From the July 2012 SIRC Newsletter
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Coming Attractions
SEPTEMBER 6-9
SEPTEMBER 30
NCCP Level 2 Artistic Gymnastics Course, Duncan
Dynamics
NCCP Gymnastics Foundations Artistic - Course 2/3,
Surrey Gymnastic Society
SEPTEMBER 7-9
OCTOBER 8
NCCP Gymnastics Level 2 Trampoline Course, Prince
George Gymnastics
Thanksgiving, Gymnastics BC Office Closed
OCTOBER 20
SEPTEMBER 8
NCCP Gymnastics Foundations Active Start - Course 2/3,
Prince George Gymnastics
Gymnastics BC Awards Reception, Hilton Hotel, Metrotown,
Burnaby
OCTOBER 20
SEPTEMBER 15-16
2nd Annual Trampoline Gymnastics Retreat, Loon Lake,
Maple Ridge
SEPTEMBER 15-16
NCCP Gymnastics Foundations Intro - Course 1, Duncan
Dynamics
SEPTEMBER 21
NCCP Gymnastics Foundations Theory - Course 2/3, Duncan Dynamics
OCTOBER 21
NCCP Gymnastics Foundations Artistic - Course 2/3, Duncan Dynamics
For more on Upcoming Events, visit http://www.gymnastics.bc.ca
Introduction to Competition Part “B” (aka Theory Level 2),
Evergreen Hall, Chilliwack
SEPTEMBER 29
NCCP Gymnastics Foundations Theory - Course 2/3,
Surrey Gymnastic Society
SAVE THE DATE
2012 Gymnastics BC Awards Celebration & Reception
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Hilton Vancouver Metrotown
6083 McKay Avenue
Burnaby, British Columbia, V5H 2W7
Join us as we celebrate and honour
the best in BC Gymnastics!
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