Policies


House Team Policies

  • Absences must be reported in advance to Erin Hunter at Ehunter1011@gmail.com 
  • If your child is going home with anyone other than her parent or guardian, a note from the parent must be presented to the coaches. If they must leave early from practice, a note must also be presented to their coaches.
  • Recurring absences/vacations taken prior to a meet/prolonged sickness will determine whether or not your child participates in a competition. If your child is absent from practice the week before a competition, there is a possibility she may be scratched from that weekend’s meet. 
  • Level movement is at the discretion of the Head coach. All questions pertaining to level requirements and skills must be addressed to Erin Hunter. 
  • House team participants are expected to compete in the majority of meets presented on the meet schedule and attend the practices outlined on the workout schedule. Every effort will be made to help HS gymnasts juggle both schedules. New gymnast mid season team tryouts involving possible team participation and any other changes to our policies are at the discretion of the gymnastics director. 
  • Make up days are at the discretion of the coaching staff only
  • Please respect the decisions of the coaching staff – They are experienced professionals
  • Parental support of your gymnast is essential. Only words of encouragement and positive remarks will help reinforce your child’s self-esteem and confidence. Pressuring your child to perform better or comparing your child’s progress to other athletes; will NOT be tolerated. Each child progresses at her own rate and this must be recognized and respected by parents.
  • As in any competitive sport, nutrition is a major contributor to a gymnast’s performance. Eating healthy will affect greatly an athlete’s mental and physical well being, not only in the competitive arena but in the arena of life. As a parent, please help us instill these valuable principles.  For tips on healthy food choices, please consult a certified nutritionist.  You can also refer to the following websites:
  • Hughston Health Alert
  • Healthline
  • Communication is essential in promoting a healthy gym environment. We encourage you to address any concerns you may have as soon as possible. Please feel free to set up a meeting with one of our coaches before or after practice. 

Travel Team Policies

  • Absences must be reported in advance to Vladimir Kovalenko.  Please email Vladimir at vladimirandValentina@hotmail.com
  • Or contact the gym after 3:45 pm at 203-655-4584.
  • If your child is going home with anyone other than her parent or guardian, a note from the parent must be presented to the coaches. If they must leave early from practice, a note must also be presented to their coaches.
  • Recurring absences/vacations taken prior to a meet/prolonged sickness will determine whether or not your child participates in a competition. If your child is absent from practice the week before a competition, she will not attend that weekend’s meet. Please do not make vacation plans until the competition schedule has been announced. 
  • Travel team participants are expected to compete in all mandatory meets presented on the meet schedule and attend the practices outlined on the workout schedule. Every effort will be made to help HS gymnasts juggle both schedules. A one on one meeting with the director is required. New gymnast mid season team tryouts involving possible team participation and any other changes to our policies are at the discretion of the gymnastics director. 
  • Please respect the decisions of the coaching staff – They are experienced professionals
  • Parental support of your gymnast is essential. Only words of encouragement and positive remarks will help reinforce your child’s self-esteem and confidence. Pressuring your child to perform better or comparing your child’s progress to other athletes; will NOT be tolerated. Each child progresses at her own rate and this must be recognized and respected by parents.
  • Understand that the specific mission of the Darien Y is to develop happy, healthy, and confident young people.  One way in which we can help meet this demanding goal, is to place the gymnasts at the level where they can be happy, safe and confident. Mobility through the levels can only be achieved when a high level of proficiency has been demonstrated at the current level, and the potential for a high level of proficiency in the next level is apparent.  This means that a gymnast is never declared having moved to the next level until ALL of the requirements for that level have been achieved. 
  • Mobility through the levels takes place at the full discretion of the Team staff and Head Coach. As stated by USA Gymnastics, the following guidelines and requirements must be met for level advancement. 
 

Level 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

  • In order to advance to the next level, an athlete must have completed at least one full competitive season with a high level of proficiency (e.g. season AA average at or above 36.00 or a score of 36.00 or higher in a Championship Competition).  Additionally, the athlete must be able to master all of the skills necessary for the current level. To see a list of skills for each level, please consult with one of the coaches.
  • As in any competitive sport, nutrition is a major contributor to a gymnast’s performance. Eating healthy will affect greatly an athlete’s mental and physical well being, not only in the competitive arena but in the arena of life. As a parent, please help us instill these valuable principles.  For tips on healthy food choices, please consult a certified nutritionist.  You can also refer to the following websites:
  • Hughston Health Alert
  • Healthline
  • Communication is essential in promoting a healthy gym environment. We encourage you to address any concerns you may have as soon as possible. Please feel free to set up a meeting with one of our coaches before or after practice. 
  • Make up days are at the discretion of the coaching staff only


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GPA


About Gymnastics Parent Association (GPA)

  1. The purpose of the Darien YMCA Gymnastics Parent Association (GPA) is to assist the staff and coaches of the gymnastics program in areas where volunteer assistance would be most beneficial to enhance the overall program.  The GPA is not a policy making body of the Darien YMCA. It may from time to time make recommendations and suggestions to the Gymnastics Director and Executive Director, which are felt to be in the best interest of the team.
  2. The GPA may sponsor and participate in philanthropic events and projects that will be developed by committees of the GPA.
  3. The GPA is a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-partisan and non-political organization
  4. The GPA shall act as a support group to the Darien YMCA Gymnastics program.
 
We encourage all team parents to get involved and support the gymnastics team. Throughout the year we are involved in various fundraising activities to defray the cost of travel expenses, meet fees, and apparel cost.  
 

 

In addition the GPA organizes team parties, publicity and a host of other activities.
 

GPA Officers

 

President:

 Louise Schmidt

Vice President:

 Brenda McDermott

Treasurer:

 

 
 

Travel Team Level Moms

 

Level 3

 

Level 4

 

Level 5

 

Level 6

 

Level 7

 

Level 8

 

Level 9/10

 

 
 

House Team Level Moms

 

Level 3

 

Level 4

 

Level 5

 

PrepOpt

 

 
 

Publicity Chairs:

 Amy Bevilacqua, Stephanie Fairlegh

Special Events Chair:

 Debbie Pizzani

Fundraising Chair:

 Elizabeth Rahbar

 
 

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House Practice

2011-2012

Darien YMCA Gymnastics

House Team Schedule

Level

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Level 4


4:15 – 6:15

 

4:15 – 6:15

Level 4/5

6:15 – 8:45


6:15 – 8:15

Level 5

6:15 – 8:45

 


6:15 – 8:15

Level 5/6

6:15 -8:45

 

6:15 – 8:15

Level 6-Prep Opt

6:15 – 8:15

6:15 – 8:45

2:45 – 5:15

 

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House Meet


Darien YMCA Gymnastics

2013-2014 House Team Competition

Date

Competition/Location

 Level

Meet Type

Meet Website

Directions

 October 27

Sunday

 Optionals Clinic/Darien 12pm – 3pm

 6+

 YMCA    

 November 17

Sunday

 Harvest Invite/Trumbull

 6+

 YMCA    

 December 15

Sunday

 Trumbull

 6+

 YMCA    

 January 5

Sunday

 Home Meet

 3-10

 YMCA    

 January 11 – 12

Sat. or Sunday

 FUNomenal Flippers Invitational/Glastonbury

 3-10

 YMCA    

 January 18

Saturday

 Trumbull

 3-10

 YMCA

   

 January 26

Sunday

 Southington

 3-10

 YMCA

  

 

 February 1

Saturday

 Meriden  3-10

 YMCA

   

 February 22

Saturday

 Wilton

 3-10

 YMCA    

 March 2

Sunday

 YMCA Leagues/Trumbull

 3-10

 YMCA    

 April 5-6

Sat. or Sunday

 YMCA States/Southington

 3-10

 YMCA    

 April 12

Saturday

 Meriden “Last Chance” Qualifier for Regionals

 3-10

 YMCA    
 May 10, 11  YMCA Regionals/Glastonbury

 3-10

 YMCA    
 July 1 – 5  YMCA Nationals

 3-10

 YMCA    
 
*State, Regional, and National Competitions require up to two qualifying scores. QUALIFYING STANDARDS 
 
 

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Travel Practice


Darien YMCA Gymnastics

2012-2013 Travel Team Practice Schedule

Level

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Pre-Level 4   3:45 – 6:15
3:45 – 6:15     8:30 – 11:00
Level 4 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 -6:15   3:45 -6:15  
Level 4/5   3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15 8:30 -11:30
Level 5/6 3:45 -6:15   3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15  
Level 6-A 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15  
Level 6-B 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15   3:45 – 6:15 8:30 – 11:00
Level 7 6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15 10:30 – 1:30
Level 8 6:15 – 9:15   6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15 10:30 – 1:30
Level 8/9 6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15   6:15 – 9:15

10:30 – 1:30

Level 9 6:15 – 9:15   6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15  6:15 – 9:15  

10:30 -1:30 

 
 
 

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Travel Meet


Darien YMCA Gymnastics

2013-2014 Travel Team Competition

Date

Meet

Meet Location

Levels

Meet Type

Directions

Meet Website

Results

November 30-December 1  All Stars Windsor  3-6  USAG

 

December 7, 8  Glastonbury Invite  Glastonbury  3-10  USAG
December 28,29  Deary’s Danielson, CT  6-10  USAG

 

January 5

Home Meet

Darien, CT  3-10

 YMCA

January 11, 12

 FUNomenal Flippers Invitational

Glastonbury, CT

 3-10

 YMCA

January 17 – 19  DGS Northeast Invitational Hartford, CT  4-10 USAG

  

 

 

February 1, 2  Team Challenge

Danbury, CT

3-10   USAG

 

February 8, 9  USAG States  TBA 4 – 5  USAG

 

February

14 -16

 NO MEET

February

22, 23

 Wilton  Wilton YMCA  3-10  YMCA

 

March 1, 2

 Ocean State Classic

Meet Closed Out

 Lincoln, RI

 5-10

 YMCA
March 16, 17  YMCA States  Southington, CT  4-10  YMCA
March 2 YMCA Leagues  Trumbull, CT 3-4 YMCA
March 8  NO MEET
March 14 – 16  Starlight Invitational

 MIT

Cambridge, MA

3-10  USAG

March 22, 23

 USAG States

 TBA  7-10

 USAG

 

   
March 29, 30  USAG States  TBA  3/6  USAG

 

April 5, 6  YMCA States

Southington

High School

3-10  YMCA

 

April 11 – 13 USAG Regionals Springfield, MA 9/10  USAG

 

April 12

Meriden

“Last Chance” Meet

Meriden, CT 3-10  YMCA

 

April 19, 20 NO MEET

 

April 26, 27

L8 Regionals

L7 Super Team Regionals

TBA 7/8  USAG

 

Mary 2 – 4 Easterns Tampa, FL  9  USAG

 

May 10, 11 YMCA Regionals Glastonbury High School  3-10

 

July 2 – 5 YMCA Nationals Tampa, FL 3 – 10

 

 

 
 *State, Regional, and National Competitions require up to two qualifying scores. QUALIFYING STANDARDS

  • Schedule is subject to change. Please check our website for the latest information.

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Gymnastics Fees

The Darien YMCA Gymnastics Parents association imposes a Travel Team and House Team Registration Fee due in September and January.  This fee covers Coach’s Travel and Coach’s Training and will be automatically charged to your credit card or debit card twice per year.

 

Travel Team

September Fee

$225

January Fee

$225

  

House Team

September Fee

$175

January Fee

$175

 
 
 
Meet Payments
In the beginning of each season we will provide a schedule of meets the Darien House Team and Travel Team is planning on attending. We encourage you to make every attempt to attend the majority of the competitions. Meet Fees will be listed next to each corresponding Meet.  We require payment of meet fees to be paid up front. A meet sign-up form will be provided at our annual parent association meeting in September.
 
Additional Qualifying Meets will be offered beginning in February of each year. These meets include State, Regional and National competitions. Please use the below Payment Coupon, when paying for these additional meets.
 
 
 
Payment Options
All Fees, including, Tuition, Registration, Membership, and Apparel will be automatically applied to either your credit card or debit card. You may choose which option suits you the best when filling out our Authorization Form. This form will be handed out at our annual parent association meeting in September. 
 
 
Refund Policy
Meet Refunds will only be given if an emergency or injury occurs. Please note, we cannot refund any funds after meet deadlines.
 

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Tuition

The annual fee is broken into 12 equal monthly payments for your convenience and will be deducted monthly from either your credit card or debit card. We are no longer accepting a “pay-as-you-go” method of payment.

 

Travel Team Tuition

3 days a week / level 3 & 4:

$340 per month

4 days a week / level 5:

$360 per month

5 days a week / levels 6-10:

$385 per month

6 days a week/ levels 9-10 (optional):

$410 per month

  

House Team Tuition

2 days a week / levels 4-6:

$225 per month

New: Level 6 Only – A 3rd day option now available

$275/ month

 

 

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