CLUB ORGANIZATION

Pre-Competitive Atheltes

At this level the gymnast will compete against themselves in the Ontario Development Program. Gymnast from ages 5 - 9 will be tested in Flexibilty, Strength, and Handstand Form. Based on the scores the athlete will recieve a piece of paper with stickers that will say GOLD, SILVER, or BRONZE in each category.

InterClub

In level 1- 4 athletes are made to do compulsory routines. The gymnast will compete at Invitational Meets. This means that they are only competing for the experience. This being said the gymnasts are still competing against other clubs and athletes( But not all the clubs in Ontario, it is a random selection of clubs). At the end of the competition based on event scores and overall scores the gymnast will recieve medals and ribbions up to 8th place.

Provincial

Level 5 -9 is considered provincial. This means that the ultimate goal is to get to Provinals at the end of the year. To achieve this goal the gymnast must compete at 3 Qualifers. Each Qualifier has other clubs and athletes ( But not all the clubs in Ontario, it is a random selection of clubs). The top 2 scores of each individual gymnast is averaged to form a final score. Based on that score the top 32 athletes move onto Provincials.

At Provincials level 7 - 9 ages 12+ also have the chance to make team Ontario and represent the province at Eastern's. (Eastern's is all the eastern provinces ) The top 4 athletes in each level and age category will make team.

National Open

This level is for gymnast ages 13+. These athletes are considered to be national level athletes. Because of the level they are at they do not have to go to Qualifiers as they automaticlly qualify for Provincials. These gymnast will participate in Invitational Meets, that way they still get the competition experience before the big meet.

At Provincials the total score determines the athletes that will qualify for Nationals.The top 8 athletes will make team Ontario to represent the province at Nationals. Going to nationals is the ultimate goal.

National Novice

This level is for gymnast ages 10 - 13. These gymnasts do not need to have Qualifiers for Provincials or Nationals. But they need to qualify for Elite Canada, which is a manditory meet. The qualifying meet is in each province and is called Elite Screening. That gymnast will the score of 45 pionts or higher will go to the big meet. Elite Canada determines the gymnast's ranking in Canada for the beginning of the year. Then the gymnast will have the option to compete at Provincials.(this is mainly for experience). Nationals is the last meet of the year and the ultimate goal as it is the final ranking in Canada for the level.

Junior and Senior National

Junior National is for ages 13 - 15 and Senior National is for ages 16+. These athletes are considered to be the top athletes in Canada. These gymnast have 2 manditory meets that need to be attended; Elite Canada and Gymnix International. If the gymnast is on Team Canada then they do not need to qualify for Elite Canada. ( If not on the team the gymnast goes to Screening) Elite Canada gives each athlete their current ranking in Canada. Gymnix International is a meet against other countries, so it is good for the world competition experience. Nationals is the ultimate goal. The reason being is that the athletes score determines rather or not they can be put on Team Canada and the amount of money that will be awarded to them. ($ 5,000, $10,000, $ 15,000, $20,000 or $30,000)

Athletes on Team Canada can be randomly selected to represent Canada at away meets such as; World Championships, PanAms,and AT&T Meet...etc.

The Olympic Team is based on the top athletes scores and concistancy at all the meets throughout the 4 years in between.

Source: Gymnastics Canada & Okanagan Gymnastics