Squads Class Description
SQUAD CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
(from 4 years upwards)
Our development and competitive squad classes are by invitation only. All squad classes are held in our purpose-built gym with specialist equipment.
We integrate children with special needs into our squad programme and ensure there is a full qualified GMPD coach to support if necessary.
All squad coaches are BG qualified, insured and CRB checked.
RGA run 3 development squads:
- Mixed bridge- boys & girls aged 4yrs+ train 2 hours a week
- Girls bridge- girls aged 6yrs+ train for 5 hours a week
- Boys bridge- boys aged 6yrs+ train for 5 hours a week
Selection:
Gymnasts are selected from the RGA pre-school classes, general classes, summer camps and Easter camps and trialled in the appropriate age groups if they show gymnastic potential.
Competitions/ Events:
Gymnasts in Girls Bridge & Boys Bridge compete in internal competitions to prepare them for possible entry into a competitive squad. The mixed bridge gymnasts participate in a display for all internal RGA competitions. All development squads are required to perform in the Christmas Displays.
RGA run 4 competitive squads:
-
GMPD squad- boys & girls train together for an hour a weekGymnasts compete on different equipment depending on the competition. They perform floor routines, vault passes and sometimes compete on trampolines, all with the support of their fully qualified specialist coaches. Age groups start at 9 years old in the year of competition.
-
Floor & Vault- boys & girls train separately for 5 hours a week
Gymnasts compete a 1 & ½ minute routine on a standard 12m x 12m sprung floor. Routines include tumbles, static balances, flexibility and leaps linked together with dance. Girls compete to music, boys do not. Gymnasts also compete flight skills over a 1m 20cm high vault. Age groups start at 9 years old in the year of competition.
-
Tumbling- boys & girls train together for between 6-8 hours a week
Gymnasts compete a series of 8 skills along a along a 25 metre track. They perform a series of flicks, somersaults, twists and multiple somersaults and built up tariff through the difficulty of the skills. Age groups start at 8 years old in the year of competition.
-
Acro- boys & girls train together for between 7-16 hours a week
Gymnasts compete a 2 & ½ minute routine on a standard 12m x 12m sprung floor. Routines impose on gymnasts a need for strength, flexibility, balance and acrobatic skills and an artistic interpretation of the music. They perform intricate balances and flight skills performed in partnerships of two’s, three’s and four’s. The disciplines are: men’s pair, women’s pair, mixed pair, women’s trio, and men’s four. Age groups start at 8 years old in the year of competition.
Selection:
Gymnasts are selected from the RGA development squads, general classes, summer camps and Easter camps and trialled in the appropriate age groups if they show gymnastic potential.
- Competitions/ Events:
- Our GMPD squad compete regionally and inter- regionally at the Annual Poole competition.
- Our Floor & Vault squad compete internally and regionally and at the prestigious London Youth Games.
- Our tumblers compete internally, regionally, nationally and internationally and we have a number of National squad members who compete for Great Britain within our squad.
- Our acrobats compete internally, Regionally, Nationally and internationally and we have a number of National squad members who compete for Great Britain within our squad.
Dress Code: RGA Club Leotard and shorts and bare feet. For safety reasons, we cannot allow any kind of jewellery when participating in gymnastics activities; this includes earrings of any kind, even studs.