The FIG Academies, a worldwide education programme for coaches in the federation’s six competitive disciplines that was launched in 2002, celebrated the 10th year of its existence in 2011. …
• 118 Academies overall
• in October, overall participation reached 3,000 coaches
• three levels of coach education (for now)
• FIG Technical Committee must have L3 by 2012
• L3 candidates who meet special pre-requisites and achieve exceptional examination results will be awarded with an FIG Coaches’ Brevet.
A total of twenty-five Academies are planned in 2012 …
It was Bruno Grandi who hand picked former MTC Chair Hardy Fink for the job of FIG Director of Education and Academy Programmes. Obviously a good choice.
Right now at an Artistic Academy in Tokyo coaches are being “coached” by Fink, Keith Russell and Valeri Liukin. I think they might learn something.
… The Academy Programme for Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics has been supplemented this year with a comprehensive Age Group Development, Competition and Testing Programme that was introduced to 17 countries in 2011 to which will be added as many as 25 more during 2012. …
Philippines MAG adopted the new Age Group rules this season reporting good feedback from coaches.
21st World Age Group Competition in Trampoline Gymnastics and Tumbling, November 24 – 27, 2011
… The event included all four disciplines (Individual, Synchronised Trampoline, Double Mini Trampoline and Tumbling) for boys and girls divided into four age groups: 11-12 / 13-14 / 15-16 and 17-18 years old. …
… 683 gymnasts competing in Trampoline, 171- in Tumbling and 233- in DMT; some competitors took part in more than one discipline. …
Trampoline & Tumbling is growing worldwide. And I heard only good news from people who were there.
Putting aside whether or not kids this young need an event this big, I’m worried the families will be bankrupt from paying travel costs before they get to be Seniors.