QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING GYMNASTICS IN GENERAL
When is the actual gymnastics season?
Usually, new level 4's compete for the first time in December or January. All other levels compete from November through state which is held in March. Levels 8 through 10, go on to regionals and nationals after March, if a gymnast qualifies.
What is a level?
There are different levels within gymnastics. WGC offers team to levels 4 and up. Therefore, we have gymnasts at levels 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Levels 7, 8, 9, and 10, are considered optionals. Lower levels cost less to enter meets, train less days, and have less intense skills required during competition. As the levels progress, the skills get harder, meets cost more, and training usually increases by a day.
Does my child remain the same level all season long?
Ultimately, this is a question for the coaches, as they are the ones working with your child regarding their skills. However, during summer schedule is usually when the girls begin working on the needed skills for the next level for the next season.
Is traveling a part of gymnastics?
Yes. There will be a couple of meets available here in the Wichita area. However, most of the meets are away. Where you go depends upon the level of the gymnast and where you choose to go.
What if my child ends up being sick, has an injury, or bad weather occurs when we are to go to a meet?
Bad weather does not create a reason for a refund of meet fess. There are things that come up like sickness or injury. Most times, once we have paid for your child to go to a meet, we CAN NOT get monies back for a meet fee. There are occasional exceptions to this rule. If sickness or injury occurs, touch base with Linda at the front desk, and she will direct you and also follow up with WGBA.
Can I carpool with another teammate?
Absolutely!!! See the map in your handbook to access teammates in your area.
Please be careful in arranging rides as gymnasts on different levels or even same level but different ages might compete at different times.
Please be aware of this.
So… not everyone goes to the same meets?
No. A tentative schedule of all the available meets for your child to compete in for the entire year at her level will be given to you at a parent meeting in August. Just because the gym is going to a meet, does not mean you have to send your gymnast, but we encourage it! They practice so hard! A meet is their chance to "show off" what they have been doing in the gym. However, going is not mandatory. You may pick and choose which meets to go to if you so choose. Not all levels go to all the same meets.
What if we are going to be out of town and cannot go to a meet?
to a meet, is a sign-up sheet if you DO NOT want to go to a meet. If you are NOT planning on going, you MUST sign this sheet. Any gymnast's name on this sheet WILL NOT have their meet fees paid for by WGBA for that particular meet. There is a new sign-up sheet for each meet. If you are planning on going to a meet, you simply do nothing and the proper information will be given to you.
What does my gymnast wear to compete in?
Prior to season, you will be seeing information come out about team apparel ordering. We all order leos, warm-ups, and bags. Our Team Apparel Coordinator will be getting in contact with everyone in August to set up sizing times.
Can I go down to my gymnast when they are competing?
No. This is the time where the coaches are their immediate support. Once competition is done, the coaches make sure all gymnasts get hooked up with their parents. USAG rules state ONLY certified coaches are allowed on the competition floor. As parents, we do not want to jeopardize the status of our girls or the team. Therefore, we MUST respect this rule from USAG.
How will I know where to go and when to have my child there?
Specific meet information will be passed out prior to each meet by Linda. She provides hotel/motel information, directions, and addresses/phone numbers. Meets are usually held on Fridays, Saturdays, and/or Sundays. However, the day and time you child competes will only be given to you approximately a couple of weeks before the meet. During the August parent meeting, you should know the weekend a meet will take place (for the most part - some might change), but not the exact day or time. Your child might compete on a Friday night, a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday morning. As parents, we never know when our child will be competing until just before a meet. Unfortunately, this information is not given to us until the hosting team has final numbers of gymnasts and a schedule put together. Neither WGBA nor WGC has any control of this.
May I put sparkle stuff or other "extras" in my child's hair or on their body?
No. This may distract the judges and affect a score. Team hair bows will be coming. Hair must be worn up off the shoulders and be neat in appearance. Pony tails, braids, and buns are all o.k. If in question, on a gym night, do hair before season starts to allow Linda or Shannon to look at it for "approval." No colored nail polish is to be worn. The golden rule for gymnastics is "nothing to distract the judges from watching the girls compete.
Will my daughter be competing against all the other girls at a meet?
No. Usually the way it is set up is each girl competes against other girls in their own age bracket. Sometimes when there are many girls in an age group, a hosting team will divide the age group into groups A and B, for example. In this case, if your child is in group age 9A, she would only be competing against other 9A girls.
What are the rules regarding sending the girls to compete with food, snacks and drinks in their bags?
As always, we encourage only healthy snacks while keeping in mind competition time and allowing food enough time to "settle." Water is always welcomed between events. No gum is allowed during competition.
Will my child compete in all four events?
This is ultimately a coach and gymnast decision, especially if an injury is involved, however, under normal circumstances, yes.
