Developmental Team Handbook 2024-2025
Welcome to the 2024-2025 season! We are extremely happy to have you and your daughter as part of our Gravity Developmental Team Program! We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate your daughter on her hard work. As we embark on this journey together, we are thrilled to have each of you bring your unique talents, skills, and passion to our development team. This season promises to be one of growth, achievement, and camaraderie as we work towards our common goals. Whether you are a returning member or joining us for the first time, we are excited to build upon our successes and create lasting memories. Together, let's strive for excellence, support one another, and make this season truly remarkable!
Within this handbook, you will find essential information designed to guide you through the 2024-2025 season. Key sections include athlete expectations, communication channels, insights into competitions, including preparation tips and performance guidelines. Our coaching philosophy, practice schedules, and other valuable resources will also be detailed to support your journey towards excellence in gymnastics.
Meet our Developmental Team Family
The first step in our gymnastics handbook is getting to know our competitive team family. We believe in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every member feels valued and respected. To ensure clear communication and effective management, we have established a chain of command. This structure outlines the hierarchy and responsibilities within our coaching staff and administrative team. It allows for efficient decision-making, problem-solving, and ensures that every voice is heard. As a team, we prioritize open dialogue and collaboration to maximize our potential both individually and as a cohesive unit.
Team Head Coach:
Hugo Rolon
Developmental Team Coaches:
Hindi Gomez
Irina Kadatko
Bladimir Duran
Genesis Rodriguez
Adela Cadenas
Yulexy Rodriguez
Kailynn Cook
Team Communication Director:
Angelique Matsushima
Team Administration Director:
Angelique Matsushima
Special Events Coordinator:
Hindi Gomez
Team Communication Channels
Effective communication is essential to our success as a team at Gravity Gymnastics. Led by our Communications Director, Ms. Yuki, our communication system is designed to keep everyone informed and engaged throughout the season. Please review our communication channels below:
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Monthly Zoom Q&A: Our monthly Zoom Q&A sessions are designed to keep you informed about training progress, upcoming competitions, and other important updates. These sessions also offer a platform for you to ask any questions you may have. It's a valuable opportunity to stay connected and engaged in your athlete's journey.
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One on One Scheduled Meetings: Should you require a more private discussion or have specific concerns, please feel free to request a one-on-one meeting with Ms. Yuki by emailing her at [email protected]. We are committed to ensuring clear communication and fostering a supportive environment for our gymnasts and their families.
Wearing a team practice uniform is essential for fostering pride, unity, professionalism, and equality within the team. It promotes a sense of belonging and identity, unifying members towards common goals while projecting a professional image to others. Uniforms also contribute to discipline and focus during practices, symbolizing a commitment to the team’s values and traditions. Athletes are required to wear their practice leotards to all workouts; while shorts are permitted, t-shirts over leotards are not allowed.
Developmental Practice Uniform:
All developmental team athletes must wear their Gravity Practice Leotard to every training session. Athletes will also wear this leotard to our In-House competitions.
Order Information: Order forms are available on our team website as well as on our Gravity Team App. Parents have the flexibility to purchase multiple leotards based on their child's practice frequency and laundry needs.
Tuition
Gravity Gymnastics is a year-round school with flexible enrollment and un-enrollment options. Tuition is budgeted on a 48-week year, allowing for a short Summer Break and a Holiday Break in December, with all 12 months averaging 4 weeks. Tuition is paid in convenient monthly installments, processed on the 25th of each month for the upcoming month's classes. A credit card on file or e-check information is required.
A $25.00 return check fee will be assessed for insufficient funds, and late notices will be emailed for past due balances. A $20.00 late fee will apply if the account is not up to date before the 1st day of the month, with clients given until the 5th to settle balances to retain their child's spot in class. No credits, refunds, or make-ups are offered for missed classes.
Clients may freeze membership for a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of eight, with a $30 freeze processing fee. During the freeze period, membership benefits do not apply. If a freeze request is received after tuition has been charged, a credit will be issued to the account. Freeze and un-enroll forms are available on our website: www.gravitygymnastics.com. Developmental Team Classes have no make-up options.
We schedule developmental team classes to optimize training time, and we request that athletes attend all practices punctually. Please note that occasionally, we may need to cancel a practice due to scheduling conflicts with meets or other events.
During winter break and the week of the 4th of July, training times are adjusted, with classes possibly held in the morning or early afternoon. These adjustments allow for equipment maintenance and facility improvements.
Our regular class schedule is created to accommodate all developmental teams, who will attend practice twice a week. As your gymnast progresses through our program, we gradually increase their practice time to ensure they have more opportunities to learn and develop their skills. The more time spent in the gym, the more they can achieve and grow.
Attendance and Punctuality
Attendance and punctuality are crucial for maintaining the effectiveness and success of our gymnastics program. By ensuring that athletes arrive on time and attend all scheduled practices and events, parents play a key role in supporting their child's development and the overall cohesion of the team.
Make up Policy:
There are no make ups for developmental team - there are no refunds or credits for missed classes.
Importance of Punctuality:
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Maximizing Practice Time: Arriving on time allows athletes to maximize their practice time, fully benefit from the training provided by our coaches, and participate in the warm-up session. This ensures athletes are adequately prepared to avoid injuries and engage safely in their activities.
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Respect for Coaches and Teammates: Punctuality demonstrates respect for coaches, teammates, and the overall training schedule. It helps maintain discipline and a focused atmosphere during practice sessions.
Vacations:
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Balancing family time with training is crucial for a gymnast's progress. While we highly value family vacations, it's important to consider that extended breaks, particularly during the summer months, can significantly hinder the athlete's development. Summer provides a critical window for focusing on learning new skills and building strength without the additional pressures of school commitments.
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Vacations lasting longer than three weeks may necessitate a reassessment by coaches to evaluate the athlete's readiness to return to their competitive level effectively. We encourage thoughtful planning of vacations to ensure that athletes can maximize their training opportunities and continue their progression in gymnastics.
Injuries:
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Please ensure to promptly communicate any injuries or complaints of pain your daughter may experience to her coach. Do not assume that the coaching staff is already aware of the injury.
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Depending on the severity of the injury, a doctor's note or medical clearance will be required before the gymnast can return to regular practice. Full participation in practice is not permitted until the necessary medical documentation is provided. In the meantime, please maintain open communication with the coach regarding attendance and any necessary modifications to conditioning and stretching routines. This will allow the athlete to participate in a modified practice schedule suited to their condition.
2024 - 2025 Competitive Season
The Gravity competitive season spans from December 2024 to May 2025. Athletes will participate in two in-house competitions. Attendance at all in-house meets is mandatory for all developmental team athletes for several important reasons. Firstly, participating in competitions helps athletes develop skills in stress management, confidence-building, and fear-confrontation, essential aspects of belonging to a competitive team. Secondly, our season's budget depends on the full participation of all athletes to ensure fair and equitable distribution of costs among team members.
There will be a $70 charge for each competition, which will be taken out prior to the event.
Please see below the competitive schedule for in-house competitions.
Competition Expectations
Competing in gymnastics is an exciting and rewarding experience that requires dedication, preparation, and adherence to certain guidelines. To ensure a successful and positive experience for all athletes, coaches, and families, we have outlined the following expectations for competitions.
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Finding Your Coach: Upon arrival, locate your coach. They may be finishing up another session, so be respectful and wait with other team families in the stands until the coach calls the athletes onto the floor.
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Parent Interactions & Behavior: To ensure athletes remain focused, parents are asked not to talk to or coach their children during the competition. This helps maintain the integrity of the coaching process and allows athletes to stay concentrated on their performance. Model good sportsmanship. Cheer for all athletes, respect judges and officials, and refrain from negative comments or coaching from the sidelines.
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Respect and Etiquette: Respect the rules and regulations of the competition venue. This includes keeping the area clean, being respectful to staff and other participants, and following all posted guidelines.
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Supportive Presence: Support all team members in a positive and encouraging manner throughout competitions and events. Cheer for all athletes, regardless of performance outcomes, to foster team spirit and camaraderie.
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Team Unity: Promote team unity by refraining from divisive or negative comments about other athletes, coaches, or teams. Uphold the values of sportsmanship and fair play in all interactions at competitions and events.
By adhering to these expectations, we ensure a supportive and structured environment that allows our athletes to perform their best and enjoy their competitive experiences. Your cooperation and commitment to these guidelines are crucial to the success of our gymnastics
Here are some quick, friendly reminders as we approach the competition:
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Check your gym bag to make sure you have everything you need (example: water bottle, grips or wristies, tape, extra leotard, hair stuff, snack).
Gymnast Rules & Responsibilities
To ensure a successful, organized, and disciplined gymnastics program, participants must adhere to the following rules, guidelines, and responsibilities:
Gymnast’s Responsibilities:
Improper behavior during practice and competition will result in disciplinary action. Examples include:
Any of the above behaviors, depending on severity and the gymnast’s history, may lead to:
Please know that keeping open communication between parents and coaches is essential to ensure a great experience for your daughter. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions that you might have; we'll be happy to help in any way possible!
Please share any comments or questions in the "Comments Box" below:
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