Category: Gymnastics

NEW – National Gymnastics Curriculum

Here’s a recently announced coach education program. Prices are not yet available.

… Positive Approach Philosophy and consists of curriculum ranging from recreational gymnastics to elite gymnastics. …

This program was designed to be used as auxiliary education to standard USAG education material. The National Gymnastics Curriculum was created in collaboration with some of the country’s most renowned gymnasts and coaches including Liang Chow, Kim Zmeskal, Yin Alvarez, Jake Dalton, and others.

Details – nationalgymnastics.us

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/dByG3620iv0

Derek Galvin retires from UNC

Derek Galvin, head coach of the University of North Carolina gymnastics team for the past 39 years, is retiring at the end of June. …

Dana Duckworth:

“I am absolutely honored to share my appreciation for Derek Galvin because he’s one of the finest human beings I’ve ever met. His integrity, respect for others and class are noticeable in everything he does. …

“His retiring is a huge loss for the collegiate gymnastics community, but at the same time, I think he’s been a Tar Heel for 50 years between his time as an athlete and his time as a coach. He’s left a legacy for the Tar Heel Nation and I’m so excited for his new chapter in life – to be a grandfather and to spend more time with Debra.”

UC Davis’ Alexis Brown interview

Today Alexis is a student at the prestigious Royal Veterinary College in London.

But in 2017 she began taking a knee during the national anthem prior to competitions as a symbolic protest of police brutality against black and brown bodies.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA8OF-Qp60t/

Though some athletes and organizations praised her courage, Alexis recalls now the disapproval of coaches and teammates, and harassment from fans. In 2017 she was overall outstanding female athlete of the year in all sports at UC Davis.

The only black athlete on her team.

Listen to her on GymCastic #427:

Black Lives Matter

 
The Chancellor made a personal support of the protests.

tumbling at GAGE

What I like best about the Great American Gymnastics Experience facility in Kansas City, Missouri are the super safe home made mats.

As we return from COVID-19, most Gyms are training with matting on their foam cube pits. These on top and protecting the pit edge at GAGE are ideal. And easy to clean.

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

Utah on protests against racism

I’ve seen dozens of messages from gymnasts, clubs, organizations and Federations.  All wanting to be part of change for the better.

Here’s one from the University of Utah.

Some organizations are blacked out today in support of protesters.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Why coach Amy Nyman was suspended

Amy Nyman has appealed the suspension and an arbitrator is scheduled to hear her appeal over three days beginning June 29.

Nyman, the New Heights owner and head coach, ordered gymnasts to do so many repeat rope climbs that the insides of their legs bled and their arms were too sore to continue training, according to the documents.

When a New Heights gymnast said she was afraid to attempt a balance beam skill during a 2016 camp the team was attending in Pennsylvania, Nyman ridiculed the girl in front of her teammates, then made her do a series of sprints up a hill and 1,000 push-ups, according the SafeSport documents. …

SafeSport: Amy Nyman made gymnasts feel ‘scared, degraded and humiliated’

Confidential documents detail case against wife of former USA Gymnastics sports medicine and science director

Ella Douglas interview

In appreciation of LGBTQ Pride Month, June in the USA, I’m linking to an entertaining interview on the Half In, Half Out LGBTQ+ Podcast.

Listen to out Canadian gymnast Ella Douglas who was Co-Captain of the MSU team in 2020, her Senior year.

https://twitter.com/MSUgymnastics/status/1236438930867851267

Ella was totally accepted by her team after announcing her girlfriend. Coaches, friends, everyone.

Ella will be a volunteer coach with MSU next year now that she’s graduated.

Of course there have been other Lesbian WAG gymnasts in College Gymnastics. And some have been open with that to friends and teammates while still competing.

Click through to listen.

Laurie Hernandez interviews Li Li Leung

Laurie is so well spoken. A natural.

This is an upbeat conversation.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.