Tryouts /Assessments
Wish to take gymnastics to the next level? Team/competitive programs is the way to go!
Choosing to participate and be successful in any sport competitively requires passion, commitment, dedication, perseverance, and patience. For us to consider you to be part of a competitive/team program at RGA, the following are some key elements that we look for in an aspiring gymnast:
Desire, discipline, work ethic, teamwork, punctuality, listening skills, maturity, respect, and ability to apply corrections are amongst the many attributes that would make you a good sportsperson. Numerous other skills such as confidence, increased physical strength and flexibility, and mental strength are imbibed by simply being part of the program.
Enrollment: Participation in Team program is by invitation and/or assessment only.
Who: Girls and boys- Participants aged between 5 to 13 years. (if the child is turning the required age in the year of the assessment, you are welcome to sign up for the appropriate session of tryouts)
MUST HAVE: completed at least one session of recreational/Gymnastics for All (GfA) program session at a gymnastics facility or invited by the Association. Participants already in a Team program at Richmond Gymnastics (Developmental/CCP/Xcel/MAG/High School program) are NOT required to sign up.
Fee: as detailed in the sign up session. There will be NO REFUNDS. Change of session requests/re-registration for another session will be subject to an additional fee.
How to sign up:
Sign up for only ONE session as per the current age of the participant. Open sessions are available here for registration! If there are no open sessions, please email us at admin@richmondgymnastics.com
Arrive up to 10 minutes prior to the start of your session.
Assessments/tryouts last between 30-45 minutes. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay in the facility while the assessment is taking place.
After the assessment, RGA will get in touch with parents within 2-3 weeks with the recommendations and the next steps involved.
Note: if a participant is registered in the incorrect age group, the participant may not be allowed to attend a try-out and will be required to re-register for another session.
All members accessing our services and facility are expected to abide by our code of conduct
Something else that we think you may want to know!
Why should I consider my child joining the Team program?
Simply because your child just loves gymnastics and wants to excel in what they are already doing in the sport; As a parent you wish to reinforce the important life skills such as discipline, determination, consistency, commitment, respect, and fair play.
A Team program provides a structured training, develops and enforces a team environment while each gymnast strives to achieve their personal goals in a fun, supportive, challenging, and healthy manner. The Team program also allows participants to compete in appropriate competitions.
What should my child wear for the tryout?
Participants are expected to be bare feet on the gymnastics floor and should wear comfortable, well fitting or tight-fitting clothes. Hair should be neatly tied up and away from the face. Also have your child bring a water bottle to the session.
What if I am running late for the tryout?
Please email or call the office. We will try our best to accommodate your arrival, If you are late for the session by over 5 minutes, coaches have the discretion to not include you in the session you have signed up for.
What will my child be tested on during the tryout?
The sessions are led by our lead team coaches and they will be assessing participants on their listening skills, flexibility, strength, coordination, and balance, amongst other technical requirements. The session usually starts with a warm up, followed by physical and skill testing. The coaches are not looking for fully ready athletes, but are looking for eager, determined prospective athletes who have the potential and will to commit to the program. If you have prior competitive gymnastics experience, simply bring your spirit to the game!!
What if my child is already in a class at the time of the tryout?
Please inform the teacher prior to class start that your child has a tryout at a specific time. The child will be allowed to leave her/his class to attend the tryout.
What will happen after the tryout?
The office will reach out to you on the results of the tryout, which will include program recommendations and next steps. Please allow 2-3 weeks after the conclusion of the tryout for the office/coach to reach out to you!
What does acceptance into a program mean for me as a parent/family?
In order for a child to be part of a team program, commitment and support at various levels is required from the entire family. Simple acts such as punctuality and open communication that minors depend on adults for are small, easy tasks but important for an optimal growth of a child. Once accepted into the program, parents are made aware of the schedules, policies, fees, and expectations related to the program that are mandatory for continued participation.
Once accepted into a program, does my child begin training and competing immediately?
The acceptance letter into the program will give parents the details on when training will commence.
The details of training (days and time) are based on the program a child is accepted for and the time of the season within which the child has been accepted into the program. Typically, a full season starts in July and ends in June.
The Team program starts training during the summer (mid July for some programs and August for others). Summer training, as scheduled, is mandatory for athletes to attend. Members cannot pick and choose which weeks or days to train. However, we understand that some families may be away for the summer holidays, but the training fee will be applicable if you wish to retain your spot in the program.
Summer training is during the day, on weekdays. Some programs train 8:30/9 am onwards. During the school year, starting September, training starts 3:45/4pm onwards on weekdays, and possibly on a Saturday or Sunday. The training days of starting September may not be the same days of the summer. The finalized training days are communicated via email, when available.
Readiness for a competition is communicated periodically. Typically, young, inexperienced athletes do not start competing immediately and must wait before the coach determines their readiness.
What are the different programs and how are they organised?
Details of our different programs can be found here. A program recommendation is based on the overall tryouts results which factor in the age, skill, and physical abilities, and the future potential as per the program. It is a tryout/assessment session that helps determine which program is the best fit for each child.
What if my child is not accepted into the competitive/team program?
If it is determined that an athlete is not yet ready to join a team program, you will be guided on the next steps and the recommended program that will possibly enhance their gymnastics skills and physical abilities for your child to be successful in the next round of tryouts.
We look forward to ‘tumbling’ with you and your child into a fun-filled, disciplined and spirited gymnastics journey on the competitive side of the sport!
Please email/call for any additional questions: admin@richmondgymnastics.com. Open sessions are available here for registration!