What does it mean to be on a competitive team?

Being on a competitive team can be very challenging, but also rewarding. Gymnasts can build self-confidence by setting goals and overcoming fears to develop higher level skills. Performing in front of large groups and receiving ribbons for accomplishments can give gymnasts a sense of pride in their achievements. There are many positive reasons for a child to join a competitive team, but it does involve work by the gymnast as well as the parent.

When a child is on a competitive team, they will practice more hours and travel to meets around the state. At each meet, they will compete and receive placement or achievement ribbons depending on the level they are in. The higher the level, the more time commitment is necessary from both the gymnast and the parent. When your child joins a team, you as the parent must join our Booster Club Organization. This organization raises money to alleviate some of the expense of far away meets and summer trips. They need everyone's help when it comes to hosting a meet or having a fund-raiser. This club is essential to the competitive teams and it cannot function without everyone's support.

Gymnastics, unlike other sports, is year round. For most of our teams, the competitive season is from September through May. During the summer, we work on new skills for the fall. Quitting for the summer and returning in the fall is not an option. During the summer is when we concentrate on strength and perfection of next years skills. Very few gymnasts can take off for the summer and return in the fall to keep up with the rest of the team. This is only discouraging for the gymnast who now has to compete at a lower level than the year before.