Competition rules

These are general rules for all Sussex events. There may be additional rules used at specific events. Keep looking at the Sussex gymnastics web-site for information. Any updates to rules, timetables and so on will be posted there; it is your responsibility to keep checking.

Sussex events are community events organised by volunteers. For these events to be successful, it is essential all clubs get involved and help wherever they can.

Rules and regulations are there to make competitions easier for gymnasts, coaches and officials and it is essential that everyone co-operates by adhering to them.

Competition organisers reserve the right to levy a fee to clubs who do not adhere to the rules. This money will be used to enable Sussex Gymnastics to run the event in an appropriate manner.

1. Where not stated, national rules apply.
2. All clubs wishing to enter are responsible for ensuring they have obtained entry forms and returned them by the closing date.
3. All participants (gymnasts and coaches) must hold the appropriate level of British Gymnastics membership.
   1. If the membership status of a participant or coach cannot be verified, they must bring proof of membership to the event in order enter the venue.
   2. Coaches must ensure gymnasts are eligible to enter the event before submitting their entry. A gymnast’s eligibility may be affected by things such as B.G. membership level, training hours and previous competition experience.
   3. Clubs are responsible for ensuring participants only perform moves that are covered in their coaches' current qualification.
   4. If gymnasts need a stand in coach, clubs should name that coach and send the competition organisers written confirmation from the stand-in coach indicating their agreement to act in this way. Stand-in coaches are not allowed in Acrobatic Gymnastics.
4. In all competitions the final decision, including the competition working order, rests with the relevant Sussex Technical Committee chair. Times advised for registration of gymnasts must be strictly adhered to. Coaches should not register gymnasts who are not yet at the competition venue.
5. All music must be sent electronically before the event.
   1. There will be a deadline for music submission, which must be adhered to.
   2. Coaches are responsible for ensuring they have the right to play all music in a public place. The music played at any Sussex Gymnastics competition is covered under a PPL Event Licence and BGA dubbing licence. The PPL licence covers most commercially available music however there are exceptions to this, notably; you cannot use original material from Disney, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Cirque du Soliel. They are specifically excluded from this agreement and cannot be used under any circumstances. If your music is from reproductions of these artists, you can use the material. For full information regarding this agreement please check out the report on the British Gymnastics web-site under downloads/membership and insurance/PPL Licence.
6. Trophies must be returned on time, engraved, and in good condition, ready to be presented. If trophies are not returned, or if they are returned late, the club responsible will be billed for the trophy's replacement. Any such bills must be paid before the club's gymnasts can compete.
7. Only officials, competitors and nominated coaches involved in the current round are allowed in the competition arena.
   1. Competitors are not allowed to leave the competition area before the end of presentations without permission from a judge or the competition organiser.
   2. Gymnasts are responsible for all their personal items thus ensuring that the competition arena remains tidy and safe. Gymnasts are particularly reminded not to leave their clothing and other possessions lying around the competition hall.
   3. Competitors and coaches must remove all jewellery during a competition.
8. Coaches of tall gymnasts must make the request to raise the bar at the time of entry. Failure to do so incurs a 0.5 penalty.
9. Coaches looking for guidance from judges regarding their gymnast’s performance may approach a judge after the end of the round.
   1. Protests must be made in writing with payment of £20.00 through the competition organiser within fifteen minutes of the end of the relevant rotation.
   2. Tie breaker rules will be applied wherever possible. Read the specific rules for each discipline for further clarification. If there is a tie, there will be no place awarded directly behind that place. E.g. Third place will not be awarded if there are 2 or more gymnasts in joint second place.
10. Clubs will be allocated jobs.
    1. Clubs should perform any job allocated as well as possible. Encourage parents to get involved. Some of the jobs (notably the door / raffle / registration desk) need a good team of people all day so that the job can be done effectively without being too tiresome for the same few individuals.
    2. Many of the jobs involve bringing along equipment (e.g. Timers need a stop-watch, score recorders need a pen). Please make sure volunteers have provided everything that is needed. If you’re not sure what is needed, find out before the day!
    3. All clubs are expected to get involved in the dismantling of equipment on any day they are involved in. This process does not take long if there are enough people, but it soon becomes a massive task if it is left to a few.