ILP levels ages

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I don't understand why the ages are so important. It's not like 16 year olds are getting picked on the teams (look at Georgia Godwin as an example) so why are the ages so low in the higher levels? If someone went straight from IL10 to Senior Int would it really matter?

Having the NL and IL programs so separate in Australia means that some kids won't be picked up early enough but may still have the potential to get the skills with the right coaching. But the age cut offs mean by the time those kids start competing at states where they might be spotted they are too old.
 
I agree with you that the system does cut off a lot of talented athletes because they don't hit the right skills at the right age. The'aim is to make every gymnasts ready to compete as a senior international in the year she turns 16 but it should have to be that way. A gymnasts can start her senior career at 17 or 18 or 19, while it's often true that gymnasts do better to start as early as they can, it is not true for every gymnasts in the country.

But they do need to have lower age limits for the competitions to keep it as a true international level competition. If there was no age limits much older kids could compete in the lower levels and it would cease to be what it was designed for. It is designed as a developmental pathway for young gymnasts on the elite track, not for an older gymnast who should be competing in the national system to jump in and beat the 7 year old developmental kids.

The new levels system has been designed to make it easier for gymnasts to transfer from national to international levels at a later stage in the journey so this will allow for kids who have the talent but haven't hit the right milestones at the right ages.
 
And there have been a few national levels girls who have moved across into international levels (as Seniors) in recent years - but usually as event specialists. It is happening. There was a NSW girl who moved across to compete in vault. She medalled at Nationals. She's also already competed in the Winter Olympics so she's obviously a very talented athlete. However, I'm not sure that we really need more event specialists given the way the team size is going for the Olympics etc. I wonder if there is any real possibility for all rounders to move across from national levels to international levels, or if it is just good in theory and good for GA to be able to say that the pathway is there.
 
I get what you are saying Aussie_coach, and I suppose we will just have to see how the new ALP works out. I think it will be interesting if girls do move across at later levels whether they will be competitive, given the higher level of competition in the NL stream than the IL stream, particularly at in levels 5-8 in most states.
 
It would be a lot better for gymnastics in this country if it works for gymnasts to move from national to international. Our population is small and the international talent pool is tiny. We need to widen the pool t really become internationally competitive.
 
MMcManus, I think you might be referring to US levels. Just quietly, (and I really don't say this to embarrass you) this is the Australian/New Zealand forum, and the question specifically referred to the Australian International Levels Program (ILP). But it is interesting to have the comparison, thanks. ;)
 
Wow this makes me nervous as my daughter is just moving to idl as is about to turn 7. I probably should have moved clubs sooner. How do you know what the skill level is to pass Level 2?
 
My understanding is that it's much the same as NL2 as they are now part of the Foundation program (look here - https://www.gymnastics.org.au/visag...Australian_Program_Framework_beyond2014v2.pdf) I gathered that they are not developing the IL2 until next year.

If it's like NL2 then it will be all those core skills they need to go on to bigger skills:
  • Vault - hurdle straight jump, handstand flat back
  • Bars - dish holds, casts, swings, hangs etc
  • Beam - front support, straddle sit, forward leap, straight jump, half turn, straight jump dismount
  • Floor - cartwheel, handstand step down, forward roll, straight jump, hops, back roll to angry cat, bridge, half turn etc
If your daughter has been picked up for ILP then I'm thinking these aren't going to be a difficulty for her to master at 7. Our state doesn't even have IL2 available. I think the lowest the IL program starts is the new IL5.
 
Thank you so much for your lengthy response. I just asked her about all these things and she says she can do them.

I am just concerned that the timeframes are so close between levels and that they have maximum ages.

How does badging work. Maybe I will need to pay for a separate badging as the girls have just had this.
 
The hours for kids training ILP will be much higher than for kids training the national levels program. Expect her hours to increase rapidly and that she will be in small classes with a lot of individual attention. Expect her to be training over 30 hours a week in a few years if she continues on the ILP pathway.

Badge testing is generally done at a competition. You would just pay $11 plus the competition entry fee. But if she already received the passing score at a previous competition but she wants nomi, you can just pay the $11 and have the badge sent to your club. They must also complete the IDEAL testing.
 
Omg what is the ideal testing. So confused. Thing is the girls in her group (we just moved clubs) just got badged so the lady said I might have to pay $150 to have someone come out and badge her.
 
  • Vault - hurdle straight jump, handstand flat back
  • Bars - dish holds, casts, swings, hangs etc
  • Beam - front support, straddle sit, forward leap, straight jump, half turn, straight jump dismount
  • Floor - cartwheel, handstand step down, forward roll, straight jump, hops, back roll to angry cat, bridge, half turn etc
Our state gala also requires a glide kip for IL2. Don't ask me why.

Our state doesn't even have IL2 available. I think the lowest the IL program starts is the new IL5.
there is IL2, IL4 then IL6, there isn't a level 5 for the international level :)
 
Yeah her hours have gone from three to nine hours per week. She is a bright girl so hopefully she maintains her high academic results as well as achieving great things at gymnastics. Time will tell.
 

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