Who do I contact if I have a question?
What information is available on nutrition for children?
Words We Use in Under 5’s programs

Questions about Junior Gym Carnivals

 

 

 

Ensuring good sleep and nutrition for your child can make everybody’s life easier - yours, the coach, the child and I’m sure also the school teacher. Nutrition can affect concentration and ability to learn as well as energy and recovery from exercise. Go to the 2 links below for a good starting point to find information about child nutrition;

Also worth a mention: the book Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. It’s more than just a cookbook - it’s a ‘how to’ manual for getting your kids to eat more veges without knowing it.

 

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/nutrition/Nutrition_for_Children.htm
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/habits.html

 

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Below is a list of commonly used words (and their meanings) you will hear during any morning in our centre.

 

On the Train – This is when we hop into a line behind the leader and move safely around the gym.

 

Airoplane Arms- This is when you hold your arms straight out to your sides to help balance.

 

Land and Present– Hands are placed out in front of you with bent knees, arms then lift straight up in the air.

 

Freeze - This is another way we say, "Stop!" A freeze is done super fast and your hands are placed out in front of you.

 

Balance Beam- A gymnastics
apparatus. A 10cm wide beam covered in thin leather used to perform
feats of balance. This is a female only event in competition however
used by both boys and girl at a recreational level.

 

Bear Walk - Walking on all fours with the legs kept straight. Also accompanied by the occasional loud growl.

 

GCGC – Our Gym! Gold Coast Gymnastics Club

 

Scorpion – Hands flat on the floor with one leg raised at the rear in the air.

 

Floor Area- The sprung floor is where games, warm-ups, and some of our circuits take place.

 

Foam Pit- A large whole in the ground similar to a swimming pool, filled with foam cubes.

 

Forward Roll– Stretch tall then
place the hands beside the feet, tuck the head under and roll over.
Usually performed on a wedge with youngsters.

 

The Circuit– Activities set out in order to allow the gymnast to rotate around the equipment.

 

Rocket Ship Jumps – A straight body with arms in the air, hiding the ears.

 

Star-Pencil- Arms out, legs open to shoulder width, Arms in, legs in.

 

Let’s Do Nippers– This is done in a
group, lying face down with hands under the chin, the aim is to jump up
on the command and turn around running fast in the alternative
direction.

 

Pike- This position is done by sitting down with your legs out straight in front of you, and your feet together.

 

Rings- A gymnastics apparatus. Two rings hanging side by side. Height is adjustable.

 

Ropes - Ropes that hang from the ceiling, used for climbing or swinging.

 

Crab Walk - This is done by walking the hands and feet forward or backward with the bottom raised.

 

Straddle- This is done by sitting down with your legs straight and opened in a "V" shape. Emphasis on straight legs and wide "V".

 

Trampoline - A strong, taut sheet, usually of canvas, attached with springs to a metal frame and used for springing and tumbling.

 

Tuck- This is done by sitting down
with your legs bent and tucked into your chest. Emphasis on legs being
tucked in all the way to your body.

 

Tumble Tramp - A 2 metre wide trampoline that can be made very long. Built in 10' increments. GCGC Tumble Tramp is 15 metres long.

 

Uneven Bars - A gymnastics apparatus. Two bars that run parallel but are uneven in height. This is a female only event in competition.

 

GA (Gymnastics Australia) - The national governing body for the sport of gymnastics.

 

Wedge Mat - A foam mat shaped like a wedge or hill. Often used for rolling down.

 

Wallbars– A ladder type wall bar fixed securely onto the wall, used for various exercises.

 

Jelly Beans Carnivals – A special
event where the parents, family and friends get to spectate inside the
gym watching their child participate in a fun environment. The children
rotate around the gym, usually lasts for about an hour and each child
receives a participation award. Takes place once each term.

 

Sticker Books - Each morning our
under fives gymnasts bring in their sticker books, we have a special box
with the coaches name on it. A sticker and a stamp is placed in the
book each week. New books are issued on the first visit of the following
term.

 

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What happens at a Carnival?

•Parents and friends are invited to come and be seated in the grandstand and view the gymnasts showing what they have been learning in class over the term.
•There is a $2 spectator fee for adults when you enter the grandstand. The gymnasts register for Jelly Tots outside in the courtyard and enter the spectator stands with their parents, Jelly Beans & Pre-Levels gymansts all register outside the back gym and are dropped here to be supervised by staff so parents can take a seat in the grandstand. Please don’t be late as the carnivals will start right on time.
•Jelly Tots gymnasts will be called from the grandstand to meet their group leader the parents remain seated. It is unlikely the gymnasts will be in a group with their regular coach, however all of our leaders are qualified and trained in this area.
Jelly Beans & Pre-Levels gymnasts will march out from the back gym modelling a real competition march out. This is the time for parents to get on and cheer their little ones with our gymnasts so proud to wave and be the focus of all the attention and cheers.

•A short stretching session will commence before the children move to their first apparatus station.
•Upon completion of all apparatus stations the children will sit and view a demonstration from some higher level gymnasts.
•Each group will be called up to receive their award from their leader/coach.
•When the final group has received their award, all Jelly Tots will be returned to their parents at the end of the vault run under our club logo sign and the Jelly beans & Pre-Levels gymnasts will march out through the foyer and be handed over to their parents in the courtyard.

 

How long does the carnival go for?

Usually about 1.5-2hrs including registration and presentations per session starting around 8.45am on a Sunday morning. if we have large numbers we will run 3-4 sessions on the 1 day, an early morning carnival to start about 8.30am beginning with Jelly Tots and moving through the day to finish with Pre-Levels. You will be advised after entries close usually 3-4 weeks prior to the event date as to your child's session times.

 

How many Carnivals are there each year?

Depending on the number of weeks per term we plan to run a Carnival each Term with our GALA Event in Term 4 for all Under 5's and Pre-LEVEL's gymnasts.

 

What should my child wear?

The Blue registration T Shirt and shorts or short sleeve training leotard / 2 piece set or normal gymnastics clothes.

 

Why is there a closing date?

In order to organise an event, including the sessions, groups, rotations, coaches and support staff, the event manager needs to begin with the number of entrants. All Carnival entry fees will be added to your term fees. You will need to opt in or out at time of payment. Please ensure you opt in and pay for Carnival when paying your fees to ensure your child doesn't miss out. Carnivals close generally 3-4 weeks prior to the event date.

 

What if I miss the closing date?

You can place your child's name down on a reserve/waitlist -  if a space becomes available the events coordinator will contact you sometimes up to 24hrs prior to the event. 

You may also request a late entry consideration rather than go on a waitlist - Any late entry applications will be considered by the event manager on a case by case basis. If the event manager is able to accept the late entry, a late fee of $20.00 will apply in addition to the entry fee.

 

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