Travel Meet

April 20, 2011 spiralmode

Darien YMCA Gymnastics

2013-2014 Travel Team Competition

Date	Meet	Meet Location	Levels	Meet Type	Directions	Meet Website	Results
November 30-December 1	All Stars	Windsor	3-6	USAG
December 7, 8	Glastonbury Invite	Glastonbury	3-10	USAG
December 28,29	Deary’s	Danielson, CT	6-10	USAG
January 5	Home Meet	Darien, CT	3-10	YMCA
January 11, 12	FUNomenal Flippers Invitational	Glastonbury, CT	3-10	YMCA
January 17 – 19	DGS Northeast Invitational	Hartford, CT	4-10	USAG
February 1, 2	Team Challenge	Danbury, CT	3-10	USAG
February 8, 9	USAG States	TBA	4 – 5	USAG
February 14 -16	NO MEET
February 22, 23	Wilton	Wilton YMCA	3-10	YMCA
March 1, 2	Ocean State Classic Meet Closed Out	Lincoln, RI	5-10	YMCA
March 16, 17	YMCA States	Southington, CT	4-10	YMCA
March 2	YMCA Leagues	Trumbull, CT	3-4	YMCA
March 8	NO MEET
March 14 – 16	Starlight Invitational	MIT Cambridge, MA	3-10	USAG
March 22, 23	USAG States	TBA	7-10	USAG
March 29, 30	USAG States	TBA	3/6	USAG
April 5, 6	YMCA States	Southington High School	3-10	YMCA
April 11 – 13	USAG Regionals	Springfield, MA	9/10	USAG
April 12	Meriden “Last Chance” Meet	Meriden, CT	3-10	YMCA
April 19, 20	NO MEET
April 26, 27	L8 Regionals L7 Super Team Regionals	TBA	7/8	USAG
Mary 2 – 4	Easterns	Tampa, FL	9	USAG
May 10, 11	YMCA Regionals	Glastonbury High School	3-10
July 2 – 5	YMCA Nationals	Tampa, FL	3 – 10

*State, Regional, and National Competitions require up to two qualifying scores. QUALIFYING STANDARDS

Schedule is subject to change. Please check our website for the latest information.

Travel Practice

April 20, 2011 spiralmode

Darien YMCA Gymnastics

2012-2013 Travel Team Practice Schedule

Level	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Pre-Level 4		3:45 – 6:15		3:45 – 6:15		8:30 – 11:00
Level 4	3:45 – 6:15		3:45 -6:15		3:45 -6:15
Level 4/5		3:45 – 6:15	3:45 – 6:15		3:45 – 6:15	8:30 -11:30
Level 5/6	3:45 -6:15		3:45 – 6:15	3:45 – 6:15	3:45 – 6:15
Level 6-A	3:45 – 6:15		3:45 – 6:15	3:45 – 6:15	3:45 – 6:15
Level 6-B	3:45 – 6:15	3:45 – 6:15		3:45 – 6:15		8:30 – 11:00
Level 7	6:15 – 9:15	6:15 – 9:15		6:15 – 9:15	6:15 – 9:15	10:30 – 1:30
Level 8	6:15 – 9:15		6:15 – 9:15	6:15 – 9:15	6:15 – 9:15	10:30 – 1:30
Level 8/9	6:15 – 9:15	6:15 – 9:15	6:15 – 9:15		6:15 – 9:15	10:30 – 1:30
Level 9	6:15 – 9:15	6:15 – 9:15	6:15 – 9:15	6:15 – 9:15		10:30 -1:30

House Meet

April 20, 2011 spiralmode

Darien YMCA Gymnastics

2013-2014 House Team Competition

Date	Competition/Location	Level	Meet Type	Meet Website	Directions
October 27 Sunday	Optionals Clinic/Darien 12pm – 3pm	6+	YMCA
November 17 Sunday	Harvest Invite/Trumbull	6+	YMCA
December 15 Sunday	Trumbull	6+	YMCA
January 5 Sunday	Home Meet	3-10	YMCA
January 11 – 12 Sat. or Sunday	FUNomenal Flippers Invitational/Glastonbury	3-10	YMCA
January 18 Saturday	Trumbull	3-10	YMCA
January 26 Sunday	Southington	3-10	YMCA
February 1 Saturday	Meriden	3-10	YMCA
February 22 Saturday	Wilton	3-10	YMCA
March 2 Sunday	YMCA Leagues/Trumbull	3-10	YMCA
April 5-6 Sat. or Sunday	YMCA States/Southington	3-10	YMCA
April 12 Saturday	Meriden “Last Chance” Qualifier for Regionals	3-10	YMCA
May 10, 11	YMCA Regionals/Glastonbury	3-10	YMCA
July 1 – 5	YMCA Nationals	3-10	YMCA

*State, Regional, and National Competitions require up to two qualifying scores. QUALIFYING STANDARDS

House Practice

April 20, 2011 spiralmode

2011-2012

Darien YMCA Gymnastics

House Team Schedule

Level	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Level 4		4:15 – 6:15		4:15 – 6:15
Level 4/5		6:15 – 8:45			6:15 – 8:15
Level 5		6:15 – 8:45		6:15 – 8:15
Level 5/6		6:15 -8:45		6:15 – 8:15
Level 6-Prep Opt	6:15 – 8:15		6:15 – 8:45		2:45 – 5:15

GPA

April 20, 2011 spiralmode

About Gymnastics Parent Association (GPA)

The purpose of the Darien YMCA Gymnastics Parent Association (GPA) is to assist the staff and coaches of the gymnastics program in areas where volunteer assistance would be most beneficial to enhance the overall program. The GPA is not a policy making body of the Darien YMCA. It may from time to time make recommendations and suggestions to the Gymnastics Director and Executive Director, which are felt to be in the best interest of the team.
The GPA may sponsor and participate in philanthropic events and projects that will be developed by committees of the GPA.
The GPA is a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-partisan and non-political organization
The GPA shall act as a support group to the Darien YMCA Gymnastics program.

We encourage all team parents to get involved and support the gymnastics team. Throughout the year we are involved in various fundraising activities to defray the cost of travel expenses, meet fees, and apparel cost.

In addition the GPA organizes team parties, publicity and a host of other activities.

GPA RESPONSIBILITIES

GPA Officers
President:	Louise Schmidt
Vice President:	Brenda McDermott
Treasurer:

Travel Team Level Moms
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Level 8
Level 9/10

House Team Level Moms
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
PrepOpt

Publicity Chairs:	Amy Bevilacqua, Stephanie Fairlegh
Special Events Chair:	Debbie Pizzani
Fundraising Chair:	Elizabeth Rahbar

Policies

April 20, 2011 spiralmode

House Team Policies

Absences must be reported in advance to Erin Hunter at Ehunter1011@gmail.com
If your child is going home with anyone other than her parent or guardian, a note from the parent must be presented to the coaches. If they must leave early from practice, a note must also be presented to their coaches.
Recurring absences/vacations taken prior to a meet/prolonged sickness will determine whether or not your child participates in a competition. If your child is absent from practice the week before a competition, there is a possibility she may be scratched from that weekend’s meet.
Level movement is at the discretion of the Head coach. All questions pertaining to level requirements and skills must be addressed to Erin Hunter.
House team participants are expected to compete in the majority of meets presented on the meet schedule and attend the practices outlined on the workout schedule. Every effort will be made to help HS gymnasts juggle both schedules. New gymnast mid season team tryouts involving possible team participation and any other changes to our policies are at the discretion of the gymnastics director.
Make up days are at the discretion of the coaching staff only
Please respect the decisions of the coaching staff – They are experienced professionals
Parental support of your gymnast is essential. Only words of encouragement and positive remarks will help reinforce your child’s self-esteem and confidence. Pressuring your child to perform better or comparing your child’s progress to other athletes; will NOT be tolerated. Each child progresses at her own rate and this must be recognized and respected by parents.
As in any competitive sport, nutrition is a major contributor to a gymnast’s performance. Eating healthy will affect greatly an athlete’s mental and physical well being, not only in the competitive arena but in the arena of life. As a parent, please help us instill these valuable principles. For tips on healthy food choices, please consult a certified nutritionist. You can also refer to the following websites:
Hughston Health Alert
Healthline
Communication is essential in promoting a healthy gym environment. We encourage you to address any concerns you may have as soon as possible. Please feel free to set up a meeting with one of our coaches before or after practice.

Travel Team Policies

Absences must be reported in advance to Vladimir Kovalenko. Please email Vladimir at vladimirandValentina@hotmail.com
Or contact the gym after 3:45 pm at 203-655-4584.
If your child is going home with anyone other than her parent or guardian, a note from the parent must be presented to the coaches. If they must leave early from practice, a note must also be presented to their coaches.
Recurring absences/vacations taken prior to a meet/prolonged sickness will determine whether or not your child participates in a competition. If your child is absent from practice the week before a competition, she will not attend that weekend’s meet. Please do not make vacation plans until the competition schedule has been announced.
Travel team participants are expected to compete in all mandatory meets presented on the meet schedule and attend the practices outlined on the workout schedule. Every effort will be made to help HS gymnasts juggle both schedules. A one on one meeting with the director is required. New gymnast mid season team tryouts involving possible team participation and any other changes to our policies are at the discretion of the gymnastics director.
Please respect the decisions of the coaching staff – They are experienced professionals
Parental support of your gymnast is essential. Only words of encouragement and positive remarks will help reinforce your child’s self-esteem and confidence. Pressuring your child to perform better or comparing your child’s progress to other athletes; will NOT be tolerated. Each child progresses at her own rate and this must be recognized and respected by parents.
Understand that the specific mission of the Darien Y is to develop happy, healthy, and confident young people. One way in which we can help meet this demanding goal, is to place the gymnasts at the level where they can be happy, safe and confident. Mobility through the levels can only be achieved when a high level of proficiency has been demonstrated at the current level, and the potential for a high level of proficiency in the next level is apparent. This means that a gymnast is never declared having moved to the next level until ALL of the requirements for that level have been achieved.
Mobility through the levels takes place at the full discretion of the Team staff and Head Coach. As stated by USA Gymnastics, the following guidelines and requirements must be met for level advancement.

Level 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

In order to advance to the next level, an athlete must have completed at least one full competitive season with a high level of proficiency (e.g. season AA average at or above 36.00 or a score of 36.00 or higher in a Championship Competition). Additionally, the athlete must be able to master all of the skills necessary for the current level. To see a list of skills for each level, please consult with one of the coaches.
As in any competitive sport, nutrition is a major contributor to a gymnast’s performance. Eating healthy will affect greatly an athlete’s mental and physical well being, not only in the competitive arena but in the arena of life. As a parent, please help us instill these valuable principles. For tips on healthy food choices, please consult a certified nutritionist. You can also refer to the following websites:
Hughston Health Alert
Healthline
Communication is essential in promoting a healthy gym environment. We encourage you to address any concerns you may have as soon as possible. Please feel free to set up a meeting with one of our coaches before or after practice.
Make up days are at the discretion of the coaching staff only

House Swimming

April 20, 2011 spiralmode

darien_y_piranha-program_rast1

The Piranha House Program is designed for children 7-13 years old (6 year olds aging up to 7 by 12/31 can participate) who may not be ready for Team or may not be ready to commit to a full year with the Piranhas. House Swimmers must have advanced basic swimming skills, be able to complete at least 25 yards of all four competitive strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle) without assistance and swim 3 of the 4 strokes legally. The goal of the group will be to learn drills and proper technique for all four competitive strokes, and the emphasis during practice will be on fun and learning. There will be one House group each session that contains two training groups. Four sessions of House will be offered throughout the year, Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Schedules are listed below.

Swimmers enrolled in the Fall House will have priority for the Winter and the Winter House will have priority for the Spring and so on. Returning House swimmers should register on their respective registration date or run the risk of losing their spot. Once a session’s respective registration is complete, House will be open to new swimmers.There is limited space in all our House programs.

In a given year, a swimmer who participated in the Spring and/or Summer House session does not have to be evaluated for THAT YEAR’S Fall or Winter House session. All other new swimmers who wish to be evaluated for Fall or Winter House swimming must participate in the Fall Evaluation Stroke Clinic and new swimmers who wish to be evaluated for Spring or Summer House must participate in the Spring Evaluation Stroke Clinic (please note there is no guarantee that the Spring Clinic will be run every year). Notification of placement will be via email no later than one day after completion of the clinic for the Fall and Spring. Registration for all House session can be done at the front desk.

House swimmers who are full Darien YMCA members will be allowed to compete in YMCA dual meets. ‘YMCA dual meets’ are held throughout the year at Darien and other YMCAs in the area. A sign up sheet for meets will be located on the Piranha bulletin board in the lobby of the YMCA and all YMCA dual meets are also listed on the Piranha homepage. There are usually no meets for 13 year olds and there will be no meets scheduled during the Summer House session.

Fees:	Members $430
	Non-members $510

(please note there is a different fee for Summer House due to the shorter session)

Fall House Schedule – 2013
September 10th – November 21st
Spring/Summer House swimmers returning for Fall House should register on their respective registration date. After the last day of priority registration, Fall House will open to new swimmers. New swimmers who wish to be evaluated for Fall or Winter House must participate in the Fall Evaluation Stroke Clinic.

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
House	xxx	4:45 – 5:30p	xxx	4:45 – 5:30p	xxx	9:00-9:45a

(No Class: 10/19)

Winter House Schedule – 2013/2014
December 3rd – February 22nd
Fall House swimmers returning for Winter House should register on their respective registration date. Registration and pricing information will be available in the Winter Programs Brochure. New swimmers should contact Jason Cochran for an evaluation, 203.655.822 x1353.

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
House	xxx	4:45 – 5:30p	xxx	4:45 – 5:30p	xxx	9:00-9:45a

(No classes: 12/24, 12/31 )

Spring House Schedule – 2014
April 7th – June 14th
Returning swimmers from the Winter and/or Fall House session will have priority for Spring. New swimmers who wish to be evaluated for Spring or Summer House must participate in the Spring Evaluation Stroke Clinic. Returning swimmers from Fall and Winter should register according to the YMCA’s Spring registration schedule. After April 7th, space for House will be reserved for swimmers from the Stroke Clinic.

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
House	xxx	4:45 – 5:50	xxx	4:45 – 5:50	xxx	9:45 – 10:30

(No class: 5/27)

Summer House Schedule – 2013
June 18th – Aug 3rd
There will be no meets scheduled during the Summer House session. Summer House swimmers who wish continue with the House program in the Fall or Winter will not be required to participate in the 2013 Fall Stroke Clinic. If a swimmer wishes to be evaluated for Team, he/she will need to be evaluated through the 2013 Fall Stroke Clinic. All Winter-only Piranhas who swam on the Team in the winter of 2011-12 and participate in the Summer House program are guaranteed placement on the Team for the 2012-13 season.