tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
I enjoyed guesting this week on the new NCAA fan podcast called The Routine.
It’s a charming, upbeat fan listen available on iTunes or on TheRoutinePodcast.com – episode 10.
Topics this week include the awesome UCLA v Oklahoma love fest. I spoke on the risks / rewards of Gymnastics training for girls aspiring to compete College.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Read his comments on Facebook.
Yes NCAA scoring is silly. Yes those high scores help with the popularity of the sport.
Long, long ago I was advised to drop the first digit when looking at College scores.
9.975 = 9.75
9.900 = 9.00
9.850 = 8.50
That gives you some range between routines.
Most important is that judges get the ranking right. They most often do.
That said, I think judges should be far more accountable. Their names should be included on results. Fans should be able to call them out they way they do baseball umpires and soccer referees.
If you only have time for 1 MAG post a week, this is it.
You’ll be able to speak like an expert. 😀
My gut feeling is that Canada is sincere in commitment to make Gymnastics training safer.
But has been slow getting to this point.
Having women’s national team director in national media did speed the process, I think. David Brubaker’s sexual-offence case returns to court Feb. 20th
The following are the initiatives that our community has committed to:
1. Immediately begin the staffing process for a full-time staff member at Gymnastics Canada dedicated to the area of safe sport.
2. Finalize the review, revision, and implementation of both existing and new safe sport policies by March 31, 2018.
3. The provincial/territorial gymnastics federations have committed to aligning their own provincial policies with these national policies to eliminate any gaps in implementation.
4. Gymnastics Canada will build and promote online resource toolkits related to safe sport participation for athletes, coaches, and parents and will continue to develop and add to these toolkits. ….
5. Gymnastics Canada will create a Safe Sport Update to be sent to the gymnastics community on a regular basis to keep everyone informed about updates, tools and resources, and more.
6. Gymnastics Canada, through a partnership with the Coaching Association of Canada, has arranged to make the “Commit to Kids” online training resource to the head coach and 1 other club-appointed individual at each gymnastics club in Canada at no charge. ….
7. The Gymnastics Canada Board has approved the formation of an Athlete’s Commission that will report quarterly to the Board of Directors as a standing point on the meeting agenda.
“The sport of gymnastics has been hit hard recently with the Larry Nassar trial in the US, and the charges laid against our own coaches over the last few months, but I am greatly encouraged by the passion and drive our community has collectively shown to make our sport better,” said Peter Nicol, President/CEO of Gymnastics Canada.
“We have heard the concerns from our community and we understand that they need to receive support and see action. We are committed to working together at the provincial and national levels to make that happen.”
FIG President Morinari Watanabe:
FIG’s action will be built on three pillars.
The first pillar is to establish a safeguarding commission within the FIG to provide educational material for our national member federations. …
The second pillar is the involvement of our Athletes’ Commission ….
The third pillar is to establish an independent body to which any abuse case can be reported. This will include a helpdesk and the provision of legal support. We are aiming to announce this independent body once the FIG Authorities have approved the governance structure. …
Statement from FIG President Morinari Watanabe regarding US abuse cases
I don’t think much would have changed without the victim statements.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
related – USA Gymnastics Creates Athlete Assistance Fund
Click through to make a donation.
It’s probably easier for Gymnastics in the USA to start from scratch. Replace everyone who had any position of responsibility while Nassar was committing his crimes.
I understand it’s easier, too, for Valeri to resign. Otherwise there would be lingering doubt
Some of the coaches who know Valeri extremely well, however, are thanking him for what he’s done for the National Team program.
Read Tom Forster’s comments on Facebook.
Read Mary Lee Tracy’s comments on Facebook.
Who should replace Valeri?
My vote would be K.J. Kindler. But I doubt she would be interested in leaving Oklahoma.
The Canadian Junior has been sticking this vault for a couple of years already.
Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 