Elite Squad

Our elite girls competition squad meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings with start times varying from 3.30pm onwards, depending on age, and on Saturday mornings from 10.00am to 1.00pm. There are sometimes extra practice sessions on Saturday afternoons. Gymnasts in this section will have between 12 and 20 hours training per week.

Our own club competition is held towards the end of every year, and is open to any of our gymnasts (including those from the general and boys squads). Where it is possible to give them, the results of competitions are on the competition results pages.   The forthcoming events section gives details of events the squad will be competing in, some of which may require statying away from home for one or two nights.

Gymnasts in the elite squad work very hard, and cover a range of gymnastic skills. Most will begin with floor and vault work, and will then progress to bench, beam, and bars. They will also do specific conditioning skills. This group is expected to be significantly more dedicated than the general groups, but we still hope that they have fun while they are learning. 

To help them with motivation, we have a system of awards to reward both progress and effort or attitude. These awards are not purely competitive, but also reflect each gymnasts individual rate of progress. The award system also applies to the other groups. Many of the elite squad are currently doing extra work for their BGA grades. This normally takes place after the regular sessions and is proving popular, though hard work.

We now have a number of gymnasts under the age of 8 in our competition squad, and new ones are joining as they improve their skills. Our boys squad has already had its' first few competitions, and now joins with the rest of the elite squad at some sessions. Gymnasts work in groups of similar ability and age most of the time, to enable efficient coaching and to help build friendships. Sometimes they will work as a large group which helps to build team spirit. Groups will rotate around the disciplines throughout the sessions.

There are also often extra coaching sessions to prepare for competitions, and additional skills such as dance are taught when appropriate.  We have regular exchange activities with other clubs, including those of Kendal in Cumbria, and of our American friend Don Clark.

There is an annual summer school week each year for those really keen ones, and this is always over subscribed.  Entry into the Elite Squad is at the discretion of the Head coach only and staying there depends on continued hard work and progress.  Gymnasts in this squad also require significant support from parents or family because of the intensive nature of the work.