16 October 2024

Acrobatics

Written by: Charlotte Wynne-Pennels
I am very sorry that this is a small report, but I had only just had the entries through for our competition in the last 24 hours. I haven’t even got all the gymnasts names yet, but know how many partnerships are competing. 
Our competition is on Sunday the 10th of November, at Hollington Gymnastics Club. 
 
Last year we only had two clubs enter, Hollington & Infinity, who we later found out, weren’t affiliated. This year we have four clubs enter, which is a great result. All four clubs are affiliated as I checked with Emily. 
We have 130 gymnasts entered. 
 
Nikki has kindly given us the rest of the tumble Sussex medals for the acrobatic competition, so i will now be ordering the rest that i need. I have also invited ‘Fine Designs’, who bring Sussex hoodies and t-shirts for the gymnasts. DE photos will also be invited for those parents who like to buy photos. 
 
For now, this is all I can report due to Sussex Championships happening in a couple weeks time. I will have a bigger report once the competition has finished. 
 
Please can I ask that the consideration of the Sussex Representative meetings happen over a Teams / Zoom call in the future. For myself and Nikki, and others, we have to travel far to come to the later night meetings, and like tonight, the weather stopped us.
 

Minutes

Written by: Emily Knight

The Sussex Gymnastics Committee Meeting was held on Wednesday 16th October 20:30 at The Jack & Jill Inn, Clayton, BN6 9PD.

Present

Mike Gevaux

Dawn Hyland

Emily Knight

Beth Burchett

Lisa Jestico

Sally-Anne Warner

Richard Keasley

Kim Mirceta

Heather Sampford

Kim Kennedy

Sarah Dyson-Bottle

Apologies for Absence

Keith Walter

Emma Ballancore

Charlotte Wynne-Pennels

Nikki Huggins

Mark Poore

Julie Belchamber

1. Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes from the last two meetings were reviewed. 

Funding of welfare officers attending events was bought up, a topic which had only been touched upon briefly in previous meetings. As a committee we agreed  that we would encourage the welfare officers to approach the region first as they also act as welfare officers for them. It has been agreed that Emily (Secretary) will put together a letter that we can use to support our welfare officers, should the SE region decline funding for welfare to attend events. 

2. Chair's Report

No report given so was unable to be discussed. 

3. Treasurer’s Report

Report Attached
 

4. Discipline Reports

General

Report Attached

Acrobatics

Report Attached

Trampoline/DMT

No report was received for this discipline. A brief discussion was had, 4 competitions have been run, however numbers have not yet picked up to those before COVID-19.

Festival

Report Attached

Tumble

Report Attached

Team-gym

No updates since previous meeting. Sussex currently have 12 gymnasts representing Team-Gym at the European Championships in Azerbaijan.

Men's Artistic

Report Attached

Women's Artistic

Report Attached

5. Welfare Report

Report Attached
 
Questions were bought up regarding the new British Gymnastics flexibility course. It was confirmed that level 1 coaches are only allowed to assist with flexibility training, and must have a level 2 coach supervising/leading the stretching. 
 
The welfare officers received emails regarding both the national British Gymnastics awards and Active Sussex awards, asking for nominations. It was discussed that there are a lack of people nominating individuals/clubs within Sussex. We discussed that there could potentially be one county representative who deals with the nominations and is able to nominate externally, rather than each club having to go through it individually. Many of the smaller clubs do not have time to put forward nominations, and they may not even receive the emails, therefore this could maybe be something to consider. As a committee we came to the conclusion that a county representative may struggle to have access to the information needed to nominate any individuals from clubs, and therefore it would stay as something that each individual club has to put forward. 
 
The Active Sussex awards currently have no awards category for welfare and safeguarding. 
 

6. Any other business

6.1 High Performance Funding Proposal

As proposed at the last two meetings, Lisa Jestico (WA representative) came to this meeting with her final application form for the funding. It was confirmed that  . this funding would only be available for those gymnasts representing GB or a home nation.

This form had been created through liaison between the WA representative and the treasurer. We made a couple of adjustments of wording, with the final form shown below. Clubs will fill this in on behalf of the gymnasts.  

We agreed as a committee that we would trial this, with receipts having to be provided for proof of funding claim. The year would run as a calendar year, with a start date of 1st January and a cut off date of 31st December. This would work retrospectively, with the first trial run occurring for the year of 2024. This will be revisited prior to the next AGM in May 2025, to see how successful it has been and whether the clubs are applying for this.  

 

6.2 Meetings

It was agreed that there could potentially be a day time and evening meeting to ensure everyone was able to attend. Zoom/video call was suggested for those who were unable to physically make the meeting. 

Emily (Secretary) is to collate previous responses of suitable days and times for meetings, as well as send out a google form, to gauge an idea of availability and thus arrange the next committee meeting. Venues suggested were John Selden, Worthing GC, Wickers GC or the Jack & Jill inn. 

 

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 5th February, venue and time TBC. 

The meeting closed at 21:32

General

Written by: Kim Mirceta
GFA Report 
Add to meeting Sussex GFA Nov & Inter March proposed date March 23rd (waiting on venue to confirm) 
 
NEW Floor & Vault Criteria 2025 - Workshop to cover new skills, routine construction & judging updates is open to all clubs 24th of Nov Pegasus Gymnastics Club Maidstone - please fill in form via email sent in early September 
One off payment of £15 per club no matter how many people come.  
 
SE Regional dates 2025 all at Guildford Spectrum
May 18th - BSG
June 22nd - Inter
Nov - 30th - Advanced
Dec 7th - Novice

Tumble

Written by: Nikki Huggins and Mark Poore
 
Sussex Tumble Report 
 
The start of the new competition season is well under way with Sussex Championships being the first for everyone.
 
This year championships was slightly different with club level 1-3 joining in with the competition alongside all other levels from club 4 to adult. The competition was held last Sunday at Hollington Gymnastics Club and was well attended with over 150 gymnasts taking part throughout the day.
 
Bevendean, Be Gymnastics, Dyson, Hollington and Sky High all attended and everyone seemed to have a good time.
 
De Photos & Fine Designs were also able to attend this year, giving lots of gymnasts some wonderful memories of the day.
 
This year we decided to steer away from the standard BG runs for club 1-3, and this was received well by all.
 
Gymnasts from all 5 clubs walked away with individual trophies and team medals, with highest score shields going to Dyson (club 4-6 & Regional 1-2) and Hollington (Regional 3-4). Hollington also took home the highest score of the day with a massive score of 58.6.
 
Mark and Nikki were both happy with how the day went with everything running to time. We would like to thank our Sussex welfare officers Dawn & Mike for attending.
 
We would love to have other clubs from Sussex join us if possible, clubs can take part in club level tumble with a level 2 general gymnastics qualification.
 
We are planning to send out questionnaires to the attending clubs for feedback on their thoughts of the day as well as anything they feel they would like to add to the day.
 

Festival Report

Written by: Sarah Dyson-Bottle

Festival discipline report - February 2024

Chichester gymnastics club had this update:

We’ve had such a fun-filled year with our Display Team this year and lots interest within our club to join for next year after the awesome year so far. We are looking forward in attending The London Gymnastics Festival next weekend, where we stay Sat to Sun to perform twice over the weekend. We love this event. A great and well run weekend for the team.

Just 3 weeks ago Team CGA’s Display Team attended Ministrada in Blackpool and had the absolute best time!!! We travelled up the Friday, competed on the Saturday and travelled home on the Sunday.  This was the new team’s first competition since Disney in 2022. We wish more events would do competitions, even if it meant every club would fit into either a 1st, 2nd or 3rd category. Anyways, we had a great day Saturday. We were in the biggest category and achieved 1st place overall/the best display within our group, winning a trophy to take home to Chichester!!! It was the best feeling for them to perform and win in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. 🤩 Parents and gymnasts loved, loved, loved this weekend.

 We had Gymnasia in May, Gymstarz in June, Blackpool in September and have the LGF in 1 week (October). So, a very productive and great year with the DT squad. Lots of lifetime memories made, as always, that aren’t always normally available to every pathway.

Dysons have had a quiet period with lots of work going towards the Disney event next year, we plan to perform 5 different routines at the Disney competition alongside most gymnasts performing either a solo or a duo routine.

We are currently preparing for a showcase at the club which is being advertised and tickets sold through our FrOG group for January next year.  This event will be our last fund raiser towards the France event and will be a cross discipline show with both festivals and our tumble squad performing.

 

For any clubs interested in getting involved in Festivals here are a list of future events:

·       World Gym For life challenge 22nd July 2025 in Portugal. Entry fee £650 per person. Entry deadline 31st October 2024

https://mybg.british-gymnastics.org/weblets/load/Events/77778f3b-1e94-44fc-8217-e70f15953375/details/060390C59BB885939140610560535151EFD3D3A5

·       Frosty Fiesta festival display 19th January 2025 in Guildford. Entry fee £26 per person.  Entry deadline 19th November 2024

https://www.ultimategymnasticsevents.com/_files/ugd/8b1872_9cbb772a0e054324af188a5929992eea.pdf?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8vkWnu1RUeWDoxODgrBpuD-k4grq_mfWl35bNYOq4FdjB9t4zh23_86fBeNfX5sTvhcdFCgSpDBP1ecb5u2z0edvbSGAH87wkQa_5fO2x23y19l0Q&_hsmi=95151018&utm_content=95151018&utm_source=hs_email

·       GymFusion Manchester 16th February 2025. Entry fee £20 per person.  Entry deadline 3rd January 2025

https://mybg.british-gymnastics.org/weblets/load/Events/77778f3b-1e94-44fc-8217-e70f15953375/details/7AEEA0AA0E37065EA4D09FC9711EE4C1BEE29C08

·       Wythall Gymnasia 2025 14th & 15th June 2025. Entry fee £30 per person.  Entry deadline 27th February 2025

I don’t have a link for this one but for more details you can email them - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

·       ImaGYMnation festival 22nd or 29th June 2025 (some confusion on this on their website I will get an answer from them and update this listing for the next report) in Ilford.  Entry fee £20 per person.  Entry deadline unknown but entries open in May 2025.

https://imagymnation.co.uk/

·       London gymnastics festival, I am not sure of the 2025 dates for this but to keep up to date it is worth joining their Facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4828134054/about

I am aware there are many more available than I have listed above and will try to include a more comprehensive list next time.

I would appreciate anyone that is aware of ones that go on in & out of the UK forwarding links or emails to me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to help with this.

 

Welfare Report

Written by: Mike Gevaux and Dawn Hyland

Sussex Welfare Report 16th October 2024

 We both attended the Sussex Tumble competition last weekend. Dawn will also be at the Sussex Acro Competition on 10th November.

Both events are at Hollington and for the Acro competition it is vital that the competition information reminds Clubs that either parents or Coaches must always be responsible for the young gymnasts.  At the Tumble competition there were so many gymnasts wildly running around, some very close to the tea and coffee stall, or warming up without supervision.

Not a welfare issue as such but the venue was very hot.  Comments from gymnasts and parents were overheard saying that some coaches/officials needed to re-apply deodorant.

 

There are a couple of meetings of interest next month that we will both be at.

Active Sussex Adult safeguarding event    7th November    Burgess Hill  11am -2pm

British Gymnastics Club Welfare Officer event   22nd November  London

 

Finally, all Clubs should now be aware of the release of the new stretching policy. All Level 2 coaches and above, Club Welfare and Regional Welfare Officers must complete the mandatory online course by February next year.  It is only £9 until the end of the year.  Level 1 coaches can do the course but will not be allowed to supervise stretching.

 

Dawn Hyland       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mike Gevaux    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Men's Artistic

Written by: Richard Keasley

July 2024 – October 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 Grades – 29 September Hawth entered 11 gymnasts. From this,5 gymnasts will represent the region at Grades finals on 1 November.

Future dates

  • 1-3 November, Grades Finals, Telford
  • 1 March, English Championship, Telford
  • 1 March, Scottish Championships, Glasgow
  • 6 April, Regional Championships, Pegasus
  • 8 June, British Teams, Basildon
  • 28 September, Grades Qualifiers, Tolworth GC
  • 1 November, Grades finals, Telford

Treasurer's Report

Written by: Keith Walter

Sussex Gymnastics County Treasurers Report

1 April 24 To 30 September 24

The County savings account transfer is completed and holds funds to safeguard the county in the event of a major emergency. This account also pays interest on an annual basis.

 

So far this year 4 competitions have completed 2 trampoline, 1 Tumble and 1 WA and all have contributed a surplus into county funds.

 

Underway are 4 more competitions and we currently have in the account all the entry money, but have yet to pay out for expenses such as hire costs and event costs. I do expect these all to have a surplus as all have followed the agreed process of submitting their budgets to me prior to going ahead.

 

There has been more applications for grants to support training in the quarter and we have now supported these with £2190 of county funds to help clubs meet the costs of their training.

The application form is on the web site for any affiliated club to use.

 

Detailed information covering the above will be available to all attendees at the quarter county meeting.

Keith Walter - County Treasurer

Agenda

Written by: Emily Knight

The next Sussex Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday 16 October 2024, 20:30 at the The Jack & Jill Inn, Clayton, BN6 9PD.

Apologies for absence

  • Keith Walter
  • Julie Belchamber

Chair’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Report Attached

Discipline Reports

Welfare report

Report Attached

Any other business

Lisa and Keith have produced their final application form regarding the High Performance Funding, it can be found below:

High Performance Funding Application Form

Review minutes from the past two meetings as we did not review these on 17th July. 

Next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 5th February 2025, time and venue TBC.

 

Women's Artistic

Written by: Lisa Jestico

Sussex Meeting October 2024 - Women’s Report

We have had a Regional Championships, Sussex Championships and Sussex Invitational with a further Sussex Championships and Regional Championships to take place.

150 gymnasts will have competed at the Sussex Championships this year showing the depth within the 8 clubs that entered.

160 gymnasts took part in the Invitational with 7 clubs from Sussex and club from Surrey taking part.

11 Sussex gymnasts have been selected into the South East Regional squad with a further 2 as reserves. These gymnasts are from Horsham, Uckfield and Wickers.

4 Sussex gymnasts will be competing at National Finals in November with 5 representing Sussex at the Rusmoor Rosebowl International. Teams from America, Sweden, Wales and England are represented this year.