Rising Stars programme

For children aged 5 - 7 years interested in working towards a Competitive Pathway

The Rising Stars is a pre-competitive programme which aims to provide a stepping stone pathway to the Mini Squads* for very young gymnasts (aged 5 - 7 in the year).

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The Programme is part of our GfA offering for younger gymnasts who show aptitude for early specialisation.  The programme allows these young gymnasts to start their journey toward the competitive & performance pathway a little earlier, ensuring that the specific nature and type of training is appropriate to them and their aspirations.

Gymnasts usually spend a minimum of 2 or 3 terms in the Rising Stars (depending on their age) before being considered for transfer to a Mini Squad.  Gymnasts who are not ready after 3 terms may be offered an alternative pathway which will depend on their aspirations.

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Entry requirements are a guide only...

Entry Requirements for Rising Stars

We will consider Gymnasts who:

• Completed Stage 1 within one term whilst 5 in the year OR completed Stage 2 within one term whilst 6 in the year.

AND...

• Show natural co-ordination in core gymnastics elements and ease of general movement

AND...

• Are already very ‘coachable’ and positively responsive to feedback

• Show signs of wanting to do things well and improve rather than just learn something new or be better than others

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SELECTION & TRIAL

The Rising Stars programme is invite-only and involves a specialised session of up to 2 hours per week which should be taken in addition to a GfA Core Academy class at the appropriate Stage for the Gymnast (for days and times see the most recent Timetable).

Gymnasts may also be invited for additional training from time to time including some additional sessions during school holidays.  Your coach will let you know the exact dates, times and cost of holiday training.

Places on the Rising Stars Programme are reviewed each term.  We look at a variety of aspects including relative progress, response to coaching (including both praise and correction), response to failure, motivation orientation, learning styles and overall approach in order to get to know the gymnast and establish whether development toward competitive & performance is a good fit for them.

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The Fees for Rising Stars are due in advance each term and you should enrol and re-enrol via the JoinIn shop as you do for all other GfA Classes.  Where applicable, sessions in the school holidays are charged separately and must be booked separately.

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THE TRAINING

The training involves a significant amount of body preparation including strength work, stretching and drilling in order to prepare their bodies for the harder skills. Though it’ll still be fun and they will learn a lot, the expectations will be higher and it wouldn’t be unusual to see them struggling from time to time.  As a club we encourage a task-oriented motivation in our gymnasts and this is even more important with gymnasts who are training toward competitive pathways as they need to develop training skills not just gymnastics skills.

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UNIFORM

Uniform requirements are the same as all other GfA class on the Core Academy

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CLUB EVENTS

Rising Stars are expected to participate in any club events that they are eligible for as a compulsory part of the program.

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PROGRESSION

In the year they turn 7, (or earlier depending on suitability) they are age-eligible to join one of our Mini Squads if selected.  If they have not been selected to join a Mini Squad by the end of the year they turn 9, other pathways and options will be offered.

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PRIVATE Instagram page…

‘altongymnasticsclub’ we love to post and document all their progress pictures and videos, competition results and just the funny things all our gymnasts get up too. If for whatever reason you don’t want your child to be posted then please let your coach know.

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PARENTS ROLE

It can be very exciting to have your young child selected or recommended for a program such as Rising Stars.  It might feel like a great compliment or it may feel quite daunting to consider the commitment both now and in the future if they are successful on this pathway.  It is important as parents to weigh everything up before you make decisions along the way but it is even more important to keep things in perspective and to help your child do the same.  Your role as a parent is unchanged by this selection… to support and love your child, regardless of what they do or do not achieve in life (or in gymnastics).

Clubs can provide the opportunities for gymnastics training and learning life-skills but it is how you use these that counts the most, particularly with young children.  The MOST important thing to remember is that it is THEIR SPORT, not yours.  Please leave the critiquing and coaching to the coaches, and let your child know how much you enjoy watching them enjoy themselves and working hard … make this a priority and don’t let yourself get worked up about their progress or skills they can or can’t do.  Through success and failure, keep your own emotions in check!   It is very important to consider the messages we send our children especially at such a young and impressionable age.​