Discipline

Gymnastics is a very exacting sport that requires athletes to exhibit maturity and behave in a much-disciplined manner. Every day HGC gymnasts are asked to execute difficult skills that imply a certain amount of risk at all levels.

In order to maintain safety in the training environment while allowing for progress, coaches must ensure that the gymnasts will conform to rules, follow specific instructions explicitly, and not disturb, through talk or tears or other inappropriate displays, the concentration of other gymnasts. Therefore, all behaviour in the gym is to be governed by the dictates of common sense and mutual co-operation and respect between coaches and gymnasts.  

However, when a gymnast's conduct or performance does not meet the coaches' expectations some disciplinary actions may be taken. This discipline usually takes the form of, in increasing severity:
·    conditioning;
·    sitting out;
·    notification to parents 
·    suspension (in rare cases)
·    expulsion (in extreme cases)

 Evaluation and Assessment

All gymnasts will be evaluated and assessed at a minimum twice a year.  The Head Coaches in consultation with the personal coaches will  determine, through testing and observation, whether a gymnast has or potentially could have the strength, flexibility, endurance and power necessary to stay at their current level or progress to the next level.  

The Head Coaches and personal coaches will also evaluate, through observation and past training experience, whether the gymnast displays the emotional and psychological qualities needed to succeed or continue to succeed in competitive gymnastics.

Gymnasts are evaluated on whether the gymnast has and to what degree they have:
·     maturity;
·    ability to develop a fearless trust in coaches;
·    ability to handle the discomfort, aches and pain of hard training;
·    ability to handle stress in competition;
·    desire to strive for perfection;
·    desire to learn new skills;
·    desire to work and improve on personal weaknesses;
·    determination to do her best;
·    a positive training attitude;
·    co-operation with coaches and other gymnasts;
·    competitive spirit;
·    good sportsmanship;
·    seriousness of commitment;
·    Family support.

Communication

HGC recognises the importance of parental support in the development of gymnasts.  Parents are welcome to observe their child’s training but are asked to respect the coaches and gymnasts in the club and not interrupt or intervene in the training session unless invited to by the coach.  
If a parent or guardian has any concern or questions about an aspect of their child's training, development, or behaviour in the gym they should

1) Arrange to talk to the gymnast's coach before or at the end of a training session to discuss the concern;

2) If the matter cannot be resolved with the coach, or if the concern persists, or if it is not appropriate to discuss it with the gymnasts coach, then the parent should schedule a meeting with the Head Coach and or Child Welfare Officer

3) If the matter remains unresolved at this point, the parent should put their concern in writing to the Committee.   The Committee will not normally review any coaching concerns unless these steps have been followed.   The Committee will not normally review any decisions made by the Head Coaches such as coaching assignments, group and level placement, competition entries training practices, etc.

The Head Coaches are responsible for everything that takes place "on the floor" while the Committee is responsible for the administration and finances of the club in general.