International Competition

[DEMom]

Our gym wants to take our optional gymnasts to an International Competition in 2009 to either Germany or England. As an active participant in the parent's association, I am trying to understand how our levels compare to levels in those countries and what venues we might consider. We are starting to think about this now so we will have plenty of time to fundraise. Does anyone have any insight or experience with this? Thanks.

[blantonnick]

What levels are your girls...here in England, its very similar to the States...I was born and raised in the US and now reside in England. If you need any other info get back to me I would be glad to help...

[gymgramma]

I have never experienced this, but what a wonderful opportunity for the gymnasts at your gym!! I think this is great for them. good luck!!

Jan

[DEMom]

We have girls levels 4 through 10. He would only take the optionals which are 7, 8, 9, & 10. They range in age from 9 to 16. Are the levels the same? Would our 7 compete against a 7 there? Is there a place on the web I can see England's rules? Do they have something like USAG? What are the names of the bigger more competitive meets in England? Maybe I could look at their websites and get a feel for their meets. I hope to present something back to our head coach in the spring so I do have some time. I do alot of travel with work to Manchester area, so I think it would be great around that area. Thanks. Liz

[MartinaE]

I`m from Germany actually!!

I don`t really know about how things are over here though....but I would try to find out for you if you are interested!?

[I-Heart-Beam]

Hiya I'm a British gymnast but as I don't understand the American system I don't think I'll be much use...

All I can say is that the British gymnastics website is www.britishgymnastics.org. As for levels you start with the National Award Schemes and once you've finished that you can move into the National Development Programme.

Sorry if that wasn't much use, at my gym we basically just have juniors, intermediates and seniors as far as levels go!

[gymnasticshol]

I think the biggest invitational comp in GB is the Alpha Factor Invite which is in Wiltshire. It is split in to levels 4,3,2 and FIG. The top girls at level 4 tend to do handspring/tucked tsuk on vault, giants and layout flyaway on bars, bhs on beam and 1/1 twist on floor. Level 3 is usually tucked tsuk vault, giants, clear hip to hs, possibly stalders and pirouettes on bars, beam some do back tucks, link 2 bhs etc, floor is things like 1.5 twist etc. Not totally sure of level 2 but there is a guide to the routines here http://www.british-gymnastics.org/si...c_view&gid=282

Hope that helps!!!!

[DEMom]

Thank You for all the information. I am logging all of it. It sounds like GB is very similar but of course some skills are in different levels. I am interested in how Germany's levels are set up. I also was wondering the name of the gym that does the Alpha Factor Invite. Cheers. Liz

[DEMom]

One other question - I see in the British gymnastics webpage that they have an age next to all the levels. In the US we have girls of all ages competing at the upper levels. Does that matter? For our level 7 which I think is like your level 4, our girls range in age from 9 to 13, for level 8 which is like your level 3 - from 11 to 15. Thanks.L iz

[gymnasticshol]

Quote:
Originally Posted by DEMom One other question - I see in the British gymnastics webpage that they have an age next to all the levels. In the US we have girls of all ages competing at the upper levels. Does that matter? For our level 7 which I think is like your level 4, our girls range in age from 9 to 13, for level 8 which is like your level 3 - from 11 to 15. Thanks.L iz

Sorry for the late reply- I must have missed the thread. The gym that hosts the alpha factor is Wiltshire GC (http://www.wiltsgym.co.uk/). The ages are the ages that British Gymnasics consider to be 'In Age' to follow the elite route, but gymnasts can compete 'out of age', which is any age above the 'in age' eg level 4 in age is 9, so out of age is 10 and above, level 3 in age is 10, so out of age is 11 and above. So basically, the age only matters if the gymnast is from teh UK, wanting a national ranking. Hope that makes sense!

ETA- here are the results from this year, just to give you an idea of the age barriers. http://www.british-gymnastics.org/si...oc_view&gid=27