17 July 2024
- Details
- Written by: Sally-Anne Warner
Dyson have now entered their first TeamGym competition. Bracknell Micro’s in June
Two level 6 teams entered gaining third and first place respectfully. Well done
Hawth had two teams qualify for the National TeamGym Micro finals held in Wales in July
Junior Mixed 4th and Senior Mixed 1st
Clare Clarke from 1066 was invited to Judge at this event.
Preparations continue for the European Championships in October with 14 Hawth gymnastics representing BG.
- Details
- Written by: Emily Knight
The Sussex Gymnastics Committee Meeting was held on Wednesday 17th July 20:30 at The Jack & Jill Inn, Clayton, BN6 9PD.
Present
Keith Walter
Mike Gevaux
Sarah Dyson-Bottle
Richard Keasley
Lisa Jestico
Mark Poore
Emily Knight
Heather Sampford
Apologies for Absence
Beth Burchett
Kim Mirceta
Emma Ballancore
Sally-Anne Warner
Charlotte Wynne-Pennels
Kim Kennedy
Nikki Huggins
Dawn Hyland
1. Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes from the last meeting were not reviewed, but will be reviewed alongside these minutes at the next meeting on 16th October.
2. Chair’s Report
2.1 Action Plan
It was agreed that the action plan on the website was to be reviewed and adapted by the committee as it has not been updated since 2007. Emily Knight (Secretary) agreed to take it off the website for public view whilst it was reviewed.
2.2 Values
Heather Sampford (Chair) suggested we change the website to include values of Sussex Gymnastics and the overall heart and vision of the organisation. All committee members agreed with this, and any ideas were to be communicated with the rest of the committee.
2.3 Daytime Meetings
The idea of daytime meetings was discussed. We agreed it would depend on individual commitments and time of year etc. However, it was agreed that Emily Knight (Secretary) would email the committee members and ask for their most suitable time. Once this has been done, the time of the meeting for October can be determined.
3. Treasurer’s Report
3.1 High Interest Account
Sussex Gymnastics has successfully managed to open a high interest account with Skipton Building Society. Keith Walter (Treasurer) and Sally-Anne Warner (Vice-treasurer) will act as the trustees for this account. Two signatures are required to operate the account
3.2 Paying in Cash
Keith Walter (Treasurer) and Sally-Anne Warner (Vice-treasurer) have successfully gained a paying in card, which allows cash made at competitions to be paid into the bank. If there are any questions regarding this, please speak to Keith and he can advise on what to do.
4. Discipline Reports
General
There is no report for General Gymnastics as there are no new updates since the last meeting.
Lisa Jestico queried where to find the General Gymnastics regional competition dates. Richard signposted her to gym event. It was suggested that these are added to the calendar on the Sussex Gymnastics website. Emily Knight (Secretary) would act on this and get them accessibly on the events calendar.
Acrobatics
There is no report for Acrobatic Gymnastics as there are no new updates since the last meeting.
Trampoline/DMT
No report was received for this discipline.
Festival
Tumble
Team-gym
Men's Artistic
Women's Artistic
There is no report for Women's Artistic Gymnastics as there are no new updates since the last meeting.
Lisa Jestico aims to get the dates for the Sussex Championships out as soon as possible.
5. Welfare report
6. Any other business
6.1 Membership
The new membership system was discussed, with the membership moving to a rolling system. The new levels of membership were discussed, with clarity needed on what criteria a gymnast needs to meet for each insurance bracket. Wording on the Sussex Gymnastics website to be updated regarding affiliation with a club as a committee member.
6.2 Revamped Coach Structure
The new coaching structure was discussed, whereby the qualification will become generic and bolt on discipline specific modules can be undertaken. There were varied opinions on this, as although it immediately qualifies an individual as the equivalent of a level 2, some suggested it is more beneficial to follow a discipline.
6.3 Judging Workshops
The committee discussed the importance of potentially holding judging workshops in the local area to improve confidence and understanding of judging, particularly at grass roots level. It was bought up that Kim Mirceta was interested in this and had mentioned this in the past, so was going to be contacted to see whether she had any ideas.
6.4 High Performance Funding Proposal
As proposed at the last meeting, Lisa Jestico came forward with her plan for this funding. This funding would only be available for those gymnasts representing GB or a home nation. Currently this would mainly be required for those gymnasts at Hawth and Horsham.
We discussed that it would also be available for coaches who may not be a nominated coach but have to travel with the gymnasts (read High Performance Funding Proposal).
We agreed as a committee that we would trial this for a year, and review it at every AGM. Lisa Jestico (WA rep) and Keith Walter (Treasurer) agreed to meet and discuss the logistics of this procedure, and agree the necessary information that must be provided before the funding can be issued. A clear framework was to be agreed prior to advertising on the website. The pot of money would be topped up after each funding year, but not exceed £5000.
6.5 Organiser T-Shirts
Mark Poore to get in contact with Kim Mirceta to discuss this as the General Gymnastics organisers have already produced a t-shirt for their events, and is able to be used for other disciplines.
The next meeting will take place at the same venue (Jack & Jill PH) on Wednesday 16th October, time TBC.
The meeting closed at 21:35.
- Details
- Written by: Dawn Hyland and Mike Gevaux
Last month we both attended the Club networking event, organised by British Gymnastics, in Reading. The event was also attended by representatives of a couple of Sussex Clubs. It was a great opportunity to get an insight into the proposed Coach education changes and to give feedback that would be considered before pilot courses later this year. The new safeguarding policy of Pain, injury and Illness was also launched at the event.
New Safeguarding Policy: Pain, Injury & Illness (british-gymnastics.org)
British Gymnastics also announced the date for this year’s Club and Regional welfare Conference. Keep the date of 22nd November free. The exact location to be announced but it will be in the London area.
Finally, we are organising a 1-day emergency at work first aid course on Friday 16th August from 9.30 am to 4pm. Venue is the Sovereign Harbour Community Centre in Eastbourne, Cost is just £70. There a few spaces left so please let Mike know ASAP if any one from your Club wants a space.
Dawn Hyland 0777 442 3148
Mike Gevaux 07905 019 357
- Details
- Written by: Mark Poore
Proposal - Possibly getting some organiser t-shirts with the Sussex logo on so when we are organising and at our competitions, people know who to approach with any problems.
- Details
- Written by: Mark Poore and Nikki Huggins
Again has been a great year for tumble within Sussex with many competitions and finals going on, all clubs have been very busy this year and are also looking forward to the new competition season starting in September.
Hollington Invitational 2024 - Jan
This comp was held over the weekend and was again attended by all Sussex Clubs. Lots of new tumbles and faces getting ready for the busy qualifiers in the next few months.
English Qualifier 2024 – March
This was again represented by all Sussex clubs with the chance for tumblers to qualify for a place in the Silver English Championships Finals held at the Telford International Centre. All Sussex clubs had representatives at this competition which was fantastic to see. It was a long weekend for all taking up 3 days of competition, but all the tumblers preformed well with some securing medal positions.
IRCC Qualifier 2024 – March
Again, all Sussex clubs were present at this competition, this time all trying to qualify and be part of the South East Team up in Birmingham. Each club had a representative or more than one and went up to Birmingham to be part of the team and represent the South East. Some clubs came home with some individual medals as the tumblers were also competing individually as well as the team. Sussex also again this year had 3 coaches go and be South East coaches for the team and also traveling up to Birmingham, well done to theses coaches that were selected for this great opportunity.
ICC Qualifier 2024 – May
This competition was for all Sussex club level tumblers again to try and qualify this time for a place in the finals which will be held in November 2024. This was a tough competition for the club level tumblers as there was lots in each category and age group so was very tough for them. The finals for this will held at Jumpers, Gillingham in November.
English Qualifier 2024 – June
This was a long weekend for all clubs that had tumblers qualify for this event, this was 3 day event with very long days for everyone. All Sussex clubs had representations for this competition, once again achieving some medals to bring home. This was a good warm up competition for all clubs ready for the IRCC Team Finals in July. Everyone performed really well with some new voluntary tumbles going out showcasing their the new skills that have been worked on all year round. Well done to everyone who competed on this weekend it was great to see all Sussex clubs there.
IRCC Finals 2024 – July
Another long weekend for the tumblers who qualified for this event and also for the coaches that were selected to go and be part of the South East Team. Tumble as a whole did amazingly well as even though there were only 5 medals from the South East earnt in tumble all of these medals were from Sussex clubs. So a big well done to everyone for this as myself and Nikki feel this is a great achievement throughout.
FUTURE EVENTS:
Sussex Championships 2024: TBC depending on provisional Numbers (could be over two weekends, end of September/beginning of October)
Mark is also looking at doing a training day with the National Coach, we know this has been spoken about before but due to reasons out of our control this never was able to go ahead. This will be confirmed if this could be able to go ahead and will be regional levels only.
- Details
- Written by: Lisa Jestico
High Performance Funding Proposal
· 20-25 gymnasts per year maximum predicted to fall into the funding category. Every other year would be less due to some disciplines not having squads or competition year.
· A pot of £5000 set aside, as per club funding, this would potentially be a range of £200-£250 per gymnast. Currently there are 3 clubs that have gymnasts in these positions.
· Currently coaches from these clubs with gymnasts on squads (Home Nations or GB) are having to self-fund to attend the squads with their selected gymnasts. Competitions are funded by Home Nations and GB for coaches so this would not need to apply. A further proposal to aid these coaches with their squad funding would include approximately 3 coaches, and if added into the 5000 would be potentially £200 per person.
· Obviously if not all funds set aside are not used the pot rolls over to the following year.
- Details
- Written by: Richard Keasley
April 2024 – July 2024
Sussex Clubs
Hawth is the only club active in this discipline. There are 2 coaches and one judge at this club. There are around 15 gymnasts competing.
Competition and events
Regional Championships - 28 April
The Regional Voluntary Championships was held on 28 April 2023. There was introductory levels for new clubs and less experienced gymnasts,. Hawth entered 14 gymnasts. George Pattison was third in Under 14. Logan Flynn was third in Under 16. Alfie Byers won Under 18. Pegasus Open – 2 June Hawth entered 16 gymnasts. Aidan Skelton was third (Dev Under 12). Jamie Llewelyn was third in Under 16
Regional session – 30 June
MAG has a new grades system. It’s completely different to what has gone before. This open session helped clubs and the region work out how to compete this new grades system. The Grades Qualifiers will be on 29 September.
Swedish Championships – 29- 30 June
Jasper Carminger entered the Swedish Championships and came second overall. He also gained a place in 4 apparatus finals and was placed 1st on floor, 4th on pommels, 2nd on rings and 4th on high bar.
- Details
- Written by: Keith Walter
1 April 24 To 30 June 24
A savings account has now been opened and some money transferred from the bank account to it.
This community account pays interest which will benefit the county funds and for security two signatures are required to transfer money and can only be done at branch in person.
In the 1st quarter a tumble and a trampoline competition have taken place, and the county championships for trampoline and DMT took place over the final weekend of June. So far these are benefitting funds by more than £4000 though there are expenses associated with these that are yet to be received
The county squad had their first training session of the year and have entered the annual Rushmore competition.
Three clubs applied for grants as soon as agreed at the AGM. These were all within the criteria set out on the county web site and have been paid, they total just over £1000
The next update will be at the 30th September.
Keith Walter
County Treasurer
- Details
- Written by: Emily Knight
The next Sussex Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, 17th July, 20:30 at the The Jack & Jill Inn, Clayton, BN6 9PD.
Apologies for absence
Nikki Huggins
Charlotte Wynne-Pennels
Kim Mirceta
Kim Kennedy
Chair’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Discipline Reports
- General
- Festival
- Acro
- Rhythmic
- Trampoline / DMT
- Tumble
- Team-gym
- Men's Artistic
- Women's Artistic
Welfare report
Any other business
Next meeting
The next committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, 16th October, 20:30 - venue TBC
- Details
- Written by: Sarah Dyson-Bottle
Dysons & Chichester met up at Birmingham where both performed some lovely routines with gymnasts having a great time showing off their skills.
Both clubs continue to get ready for Disneyland Paris next year with Dysons largely running in house shows to help prepare the gymnasts and Chichester taking part in events across the UK such as the GymStarz in London.
I would like to request that Sussex clubs that take part in festivals at any level let me know so I can include you in future updates as I am aware for example that Sky High took part in the Gymstarz festival in London (as I follow them on Facebook) but at present the only club that has officially told me they do festivals is Chichester.
I can see on the Sussex website it looks like Westgate also offer Festivals, I would love to include you in future reports.
If you have a festival/display team of any level and you take part in any form of displays/festivals from local events in a park to BG run events or international ones please email me