Proudly sponsored by Three Brydges Automotive
At the Forest City Gymnastics Club (FCGC), the Novice Girls Levels 3-5 program consists of gymnasts aged 8 to 10 who follow the CANGYM program, which is Gymnastics Canada’s National skill development and evaluation program. Participants just starting out are added into classes based on their age. Then, once they are in the program, they are moved through the CANGYM program based on the levels they have achieved.
FCGC runs four sessions of Recreational Gymnastics each year. In the Fall, the session is typically is 15 weeks long, while the Winter and Spring sessions are 12 weeks long and the Summer session is nine weeks in length. It is during these classes where gymnasts work through the CANGYM program. Each of the 12 levels of the program have 20 specific skills that each gymnast works on to complete in order to move to the next level.
“FCGC works with each child based on their own individual abilities and helps to create successful goals throughout the weeks of every session,” says Beth White, a Recreational program director at FCGC.
Each child varies in what they find difficult, says White. Most children love the bars but may have difficulty in doing some of the bar skills due the amount of arm and stomach strength required. The beam can be difficult for some, as it is a narrow 6-inch wide beam and stands much higher than floor level.
“It can be a bit intimidating at first, but it becomes easier as children begin to learn self confidence,” says White.
What’s the first thing children learn when joining the program? Often, it’s the cartwheel. Some children can simply watch someone else do a cartwheel and perform the move themselves no problem. However, others can have difficulty with their body alignment and knowing where their legs are in comparison to their body as they try to complete a cartwheel.
Everyone loves the trampoline or tumbltrak, White says, and it’s one of the activities that all FCGC participants get to do every time they come to class. Children love to bounce and learn new skills in a safe environment, and the trampoline allows children to learn new skills while also learning body awareness and self control along the way.
“Joining a gymnastics program is a great foundation for any sport,” says White. “Gymnastics helps develop flexibility, strength, discipline, co-ordination, goal orientation, self confidence, and creativity, as well as positive self-esteem!”
Contributed by Beth White
