Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.

Gymnastics Canada Values Based Coaching

Suzanne Fisher, formerly of Gymnastics Canada, worked with an organization called True Sport to develop a free online module for coaching ethics.

It looks like a Powerpoint presentation where you must sometimes click to move forward.   There is some video.  A few slides where you must answer questions.

It takes less than 45 minutes to complete.

This is not a requirement of the National Coaching Certification Program in Canada, rather a supplementary module.  Canadian coaches who complete it can be credited 3 points towards professional development requirements.

Good and important content.

Go for It
Rise to the challenge – always strive for excellence. Discover how good you can be.

Play Fair
Play honestly – obey both the letter and spirit of the rules. Winning is only meaningful when competition is fair.

Respect Others
Show respect for everyone involved in creating your sporting experience, both on and off the field. Win with dignity and lose with grace.

Keep it Fun
Find the joy of sport. Keep a positive attitude both on and off the field.

Stay Healthy
Place physical and mental health above all other considerations – avoid unsafe activities. Respect your body and keep in shape.

Include Everyone
Share sport with others. Ensure everyone has a place to play.

Give Back
Find ways to show your appreciation for the community that supports your sport and helps make it possible.

Check it out here, if interested.

Defying Gravity – part 3

Beam is the featured apparatus. You need YouTube Premium to watch the episodes 3-6.

This one includes Kathy Johnson’s story. You know, the Olympic Bronze medalist on Beam.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Sunisa says “point my toes” at the exact moment she flexes her feet. I’m not sure the video editor actually knows Gymnastics.

Gymnast Alliance #gymnastalliance

Dvora posted an article for Vice:

The Gymnast Alliance is forcing a reckoning with abusive practices that have long been at the center of the sport.

… hundreds of gymnasts from all over would post their personal stories of pain and abuse to social media using the hashtag.

They spoke of being forced to train and compete on serious injuries; of being publicly shamed for their weight; of being screamed at and belittled for making mistakes in practice.

Press attention would soon follow, with reports on ITV and other outlets. And the #gymnastalliance would soon spread to other countries, with gymnasts in Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands speaking up about abuse at the highest level of sports there.

Hotlines have been set up; independent inquiries have been promised; coaches have been suspended. …

“We Won’t Stop”: Gymnasts Around the World Are Organizing To End Abuse

Downie sisters have spoken up about abuse.

Defying Gravity – part 2

Bars is the main theme of the second episode.

Beam will be featured in episode 3, but you need a YouTube Premium account to watch episodes 3-6.

In part 2 there’s a serious discussion of the psychological pressure on girls during puberty, as well.  Kyla Ross talks about the growth spurt she had after her first Olympics.

The great Vanessa Atler talks about the distress she felt when her coaches started weighing her daily.

Steve Rybacki certainly comes off a jerk.

I went back to listen again to Vanessa’s 2017 interview on GymCastic.  Vanessa has many good memories of her main coach, however.  She’s forgiven a lot of people from her past.

Cathy Rigby talks about eating disorders, as well.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

 

Defying Gravity – part 1

Defying Gravity is a 6-part docuseries that explores … Women’s Gymnastics through its greatest champions.

It’s playing on the Glamour magazine YouTube channel. The first 2 episodes are free without YouTube Premium.

I actually signed up for a free month of YouTube Premium so I could watch the rest.  Could be that getting rid of ads MIGHT make it worth the subscription.  🙂

Bart, Nadia, Daniella, Svetlana, Laurie, Blythe, and more.

Lots of Aly and Katelyn.

This feel good introduction part 1 highlights Floor more than the other apparatus.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I thought it was weird to include Shushanova doing a dangerous skill.

Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation 

Born out of her own experience, Ms. Hilliard founded the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation (WHGF) in 1996.

WHGF provides free and low-cost Gymnastics to underserved communities in Harlem, and Detroit with the mission to empower the lives of urban youth by improving their physical and mental health through gymnastics.

To date, WHGF has made gymnastics accessible to over 20,000 urban youth in NYC. …

As they approach almost twenty-five years in Harlem and five years in Detroit, the foundation allows all kids from every background to pursue a sport that they love and empowers them to want to succeed. …

When asked what words of wisdom she has for those interested in the sport, Ms. Hilliard recommended, “Go for it! Gymnastics can do wonders to your physical and mental health, from flexibility and strength to focus and discipline. These are skills kids can utilize in all walks of life.” …

How One Woman Is Making Gymnastics Accessible To Black Youth

WAG All-Japan Senior Championships

  1. Murakami Mai 56.600
  2. Hiraiwa Yuna 54.632
  3. Hatakeda Hitomi 54.366

Click PLAY or watch Yuna Hiraiwa’s Beam on Twitter.