Competitive Program

Foundations’ Program

Foundations’ is our development program for children that have been identified as having a suitable body type, natural coordination and good response to being coached.

Foundations’ is the optimum pathway towards competitive gymnastics and is also a great foundation for all sports. Members enroll into the Pre-competitive Conditioning Program, which has a focus of developing foundation skills, promoting good posture, teaching correct body habits and building physical preparation (strength, flexibility and body actions). This program also fosters the development of positive self-esteem, confidence, resilience and determination.

Following Foundations’ gymnasts can move into either our Recreational Pathway, GymSports Level Program or Competitive Level Program.

Competitive Level Program

The Competitive Program is in place for children and their families who wish to prioritise gymnastics training and accelerate progression, with a long term goal of competing in Australian Level Program (ALP) 3-6 and then 7-10.

As part of this pathway a high level of commitment is required. Training hours build from 4 hours in level 1 and increase to approximately 16 hours in level 5, further increasing for level 7-10. Competitions involve travel through Far North QLD, North QLD and Central QLD for level 3-6 gymnasts, with Inter-state opportunities from level 5-10. Holiday training, club support and fundraising are all expectations of the program.

Gymnasts in the Competitive Program will develop a large ‘vocabulary’ of foundation skills that will be built into advanced skills. We offer competitive gymnastics for girls up to Level 10 (ALP). Members from all programs offered at South Cairns Gymnastics may be invited to enroll in our Competitive Levels Program.

Competitive classes are specialised programs that require both the athlete and their parent/guardian to sign a ‘Competitive Program Agreement’. This agreement is in place to ensure families enroll into a program where their commitment aligns with the program expectations.

GymSport Levels Progam

The GymSports Levels Program has been developed for children who wish to progress through the Australian Levels Program (with a ceiling of level 6) at an individually guided pace. The program allows members to develop in gymnastics while also having time to participate in other activities/sports. It is recommended that gymnasts enroll into a minimum of two classes of GymSports per week. However, a minimum of one class is required. All classes are 2 hour sessions.

Regional competitions are offered, which provides an opportunity to level test. Participation in competitions is optional. Holiday training is recommended, with leniency given when gymnasts do not attend some of the time. Club support and club fundraising is expected.

Gymnasts progress through the same skill content as taught in the Foundations and Competitive programs, which aligns with ALP level 3-6. The ‘vocabulary’ of skills required for level 7-10 is not introduced.

Athletes are mentored by highly qualified coaches. Our club fosters growth of the ‘whole’ athlete, including supporting nutrition, psychology, injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Australian Levels Program

The Australian Levels Program (ALP) is set by Gymnastics Australia to provide a national standard. The ALP includes both Women’s Artistic and Men’s Artistic Gymnastics. These programs:

  • Develop healthy minds and strong bodies for now and later life
  • Enhance co-ordination and agility, for body awareness and balance
  • Develops posture and confident body movement, including the ability to land safely.
  • Develops strength and flexibility, for life’s constant challenges
  • Enhances creativity and builds self-confidence, for sport and life.

Women’s Artistic Gymnastics

There are four competitive apparatus in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) Program:

Vault – a 20m sprint to the vaulting table followed by springing onto and off the hands and landing perfectly on the other side. Extra rotations at any point increase the difficulty.

Uneven Bars – requiring strength, precision, rhythm, concentration and courage; the gymnast moves from one bar to the other, alternating grip changes, releases and regrasps, saltos and changes of direction with circular swings.

Beam – balance at its most extreme, adding an extra element to the acrobatic sequences, gymnastic jumps and turns. It is an exercise not only of flexibility, but also of concentration, rhythm and expression.

Floor – a creative combination of expressive dance, daring acrobatics and powerful gymnastics performed to music, where each gymnast communicates her own personality and style.