Rick Mc

gymnastics coach education Ireland

I got the chance to meet Sally Filmer, Coaching Development Manager for Irish Gymnastics.

… Sally has been involved in gymnastics for many years, having coached and tutored in many disciplines at all levels within the British Gymnastics system.

A former gymnast herself reaching national level, once Sally had retired she embarked on a career path in coaching and coach education/development which started with an extended educational trip to Stravpol in Russia to further her gymnastics knowledge and expertise.

It was during this trip that Sally elected to focus her coaching efforts on the Tumbling discipline – efforts that led to a successful partnership between herself & GB’s top female tumbler Samantha Palmer. Under the guidance of Sally, Samantha has achieved some remarkable results – the most striking achievements being crowned the 2006 European Senior Champion & World Cup Champion. …

Blast from the past …

Click PLAY or watch Sam Palmer on YouTube.

Irish Gymnastics is struggling with how to move forward despite the economic slowdown. Sally would like to improve the Irish coach education scheme, updating their resource materials.

Sally is also involved with “performance” high end competitive teams. Ireland has a number of strong MAG athletes, but all currently train outside the country.

can Alicia make Worlds?

I sure hope so.

Click PLAY or watch her in training on YouTube.

Via Andy Thornton on Universal Sports – New vault for Sacramone?

There are new Jordyn Wieber Training Videos linked from Between The Olympics.

I expect an American to win the world AA championships this Fall in Tokyo. Most likely Wieber or Bross.

Inside Gymnastics, Inside Cheer

My favourite issue of the year is coming soon. And the Cover Goes To… Samantha Shapiro

Inside Gymnastics Magazine on Facebook.

Knees strapped up?

Inside Cheerleading Magazine on Facebook

via Shane Womack

gay gymnasts – It Gets Better

You’ve probably heard of It Gets Better.

It Gets Better is an Internet-based project founded by Dan Savage on September 21, 2010, in response to the suicide of Billy Lucas and a number of other teenagers who were bullied because they were gay or because their peers suspected that they were gay …

Now two College gymnasts have joined the cause.

NCAA gymnasts share their coming out experiences

Ben Strauss – Ann Arbor, MI
Evan Heiter – Seattle, WA

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Thanks guys.

(via @OtotheBeirne)

Slow Motion Coach

Here’s something new. Developed by a gymnastics coach.

Upload any video online, and it will be converted to a series of individual frames.

see it in action – SlowMotionCoach.com

Sure there are many ways to watch any video in slow motion, but this is quick and easy. It costs $5 for unlimited use.

My main concern is quality. Online video is bad enough without slowing it down any more.

cheering Bella Tucker

Bella Tucker is a “young gymnast who came down with a near fatal infection on Easter (2010) and underwent quadruple amputation surgery”.

Cathie Lowell, Owner of Phantom Gymnastics reports on Bella’s progress:

… We are happy to report that Bella’s spirits are high despite a few setbacks and additional operations during the last month. She has been in both the Children’s Hospital and the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. She has begun some physical therapy to strengthen her core, getting her ready for the Shriner’s hospital in Philadelphia where the real work will begin. Bella will receive prosthetics and she and her family remain hopeful and encouraged.

Bella celebrated her ninth birthday on Aug 12. She continues to have lots of visitors and has learned to use her electric wheel chair, which she operates with her elbow, to get around the hospital and garden. …

She’s also become proficient with her iPad, which allows her to use Facebook to view and respond to posts! …

read more on USAG

_____ KP sends update links:

My original post was much outdated. Bella got home before Christmas last year. She now has her own website. And Facebook page. Donations are gratefully accepted at both.

This is a great post – Bella returned to the gym!

I wonder if she’s yet seen Nick Vujicic’s video “I LOVE LIVING LIFE. I AM HAPPY.”

Ashleigh Clare-Kearney on nutrition

Former LSU gymnast Ashleigh Clare-Kearney addressed NATA (National Athletic Trainers’ Association) members at their annual convention Monday in New Orleans.

Clare-Kearney, one of the most decorated gymnasts in LSU women’s gymnastics history, was the physical and emotional exception in the gymnastics world during her career. At 5-foot-5 and 150 pounds, the two-time NCAA champion outsized most of her fellow gymnasts who she says are traditionally around five feet, 100 pounds. …

A good read – USA Today – Athletic trainers stress safe weight loss methods

Ashleigh Clare-Kearney went on to become an assistant coach at LSU.

(via IG)

Gymnastics playing cards

On the FIG shop you can now buy a card game where you must match famous gymnasts including Kohei UCHIMURA, Evgenia KANAEVA, Aliya MUSTAFINA, Marcela MATOS LOPEZ, and more.