GB feels they don’t have the resources to do the kind of job they want to do keeping everyone in the sport safer.
That’s not to mention the backlog of historic complaints that still need be evaluated.
Category: parents
Safer Gymnastics in New Zealand
In 2021 Gymnastics New Zealand was given recommendations from a review.
Here’s where they are at in 2023 at implementing and monitoring that plan.
It’s easy to read. Well presented. But still a work in progress.
Nanci Moore is back in the Gym
Nanci Moore, a gymnastics coach at Bay Valley Academy in Michigan, was suspended for allegations of mistreatment, being forced to compete through injuries, and not following concussion protocols.
Initially, she was suspended by SafeSport. But that 2 year suspension has been lifted. Nanci can coach under supervision.
It’s critical to take every accusation of misconduct seriously. And just as critical to welcome back those coaches found not guilty.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
talking to your young athletes about SPOTTING
Amanda Loudin:
“Talk to your kids about good touch and bad touch and make sure they feel comfortable coming to you if something doesn’t feel right,” she said. “Regularly check in with your kids: Ask them what was good and what was bad about practice and if anything made them feel uncomfortable.” …
… “The highest risk areas are those that allow for one-on-one adult-child interaction, often at the elite level. Those activities that involve body positioning, such as swimming or gymnastics, exacerbate the risk because touching is a part of the training.” …
A word I like to use with kids is creepy. If anything feels creepy to them, it could be a red flag.
The less spotting in your program, the better.
And be cautious HOW you spot skills. For example, spotting on the sides of the body is safer than a sandwich spot front and back.
Gymnastics sleepovers?
When I was a kid, we had Gym sleepovers at my club. Other clubs. And frequently billeted with the families of other gymnasts when away at training camps.
Not to mention the frequent sleepovers I hosted with my own friends.
But in 2023 there are not many unsupervised sleepovers. Good policy.
In recent online and media debates about sleepovers, parents have cited big concerns about letting their children sleep at a friend’s house:
- How much adult supervision will they have?
- Are there guns in the home?
- Is the family COVID vaccinated?
- Are alcohol and drugs sufficiently secure?
- Will other parents take my child’s allergies/health condition seriously?
- Will the kids have access to the internet?
- What other siblings, friends, and adults will be in the home, and do I know them?
- How do I know my child will be safe from abuse?
- Who even are these people?
… There are alternatives to the traditional sleepover where young kids can get some of the freedom and novelty without as much risk:
- Allowing sleepovers with trusted family members or family friends.
- A “sleep-under” (or half-over or late-over): Allowing your child to play late at a friend’s house but come home for bedtime.
- Let them go on daytime outings with friends and their families where you can be present and get to know everyone better.
- Go camping with other families, which gives the kids a sleepover experience but all parents are present for supervision.
source – Lifehacker – Are Sleepovers Finally Over?
social media harming mental health
Sensitive content.
This film features real stories about body appearance that may be upsetting to some viewers. New research by the Dove Self-Esteem Project found that social media is harming the mental health of 3 in 5 kids. Join us, along with Common Sense Media and Parents Together Action, in supporting legislative change to make social media safer. Sign the petition to pass the Kids Online Safety Act …
It’s hard to watch.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
CAN Sports Minister confirms “Investigation”
Finally.
I’m amazed it’s taken so long to get this confirmation of an investigation, if not an Inquiry.
Elite sport is the best place to start. No doubt resulting regulations will be applied to all competitive sport.
teaching kids to be independent
An important post from Wendy Bruce Martin:
As sports parents, we would do anything to protect our athletes. We want to take away their sorrow, we want to give them the answers they need, we want to protect them from pain. We want to ride in our our white horses and be their saviors. We want to fight their battles, remove their enemies, and provide a life a happiness. For if they are happy, then we parents must be doing our jobs.
When we rescue them, what are we really teaching them? If we always come to their rescue when they are hurting, sad, embarrassed, angry, or suffering, we are only teaching them that we will solve their problems, we will save them. We are teaching them they aren’t strong enough to think and fight on their own and we must think and fight for them. …
What happens when we aren’t there? …
You Don’t Need Me…You Got This: Teach your Athlete to Rescue Themselves.
over-parenting
I’d agree that many children are over-protected.
And many have their childhood over-scheduled (with things like Gymnastics).
This could have been ME 40yrs ago.
I waxed nostalgic. … Memories of digging up clams, splashing the girls, trying to drown the boys in the shallows. Family holidays at wonderful Rathtrevor Beach on Vancouver Island.
But that photo was taken recently.
Kids are the same. But one thing has changed.
A swimming pool with that many children would have only one lifeguard.
What year was it that parents became so much more protective than my own?
related –
The Fragile Generation
Giving Trans Kids a Sporting Chance
As throughout history, somewhere less than 1% of children are born transgender. It ranges from <0.1% to 0.6%.
Of course those children should have an equal right to participate in everything, including sport.
Each competition sport will have to have rules accepting children into either boys or girls divisions.
Sport New Zealand recently released guiding principles for the inclusion of transgender people in community sport. Trans young people in Aotearoa experience considerable health and wellbeing disparities, as a result of stigma, discrimination and violence. They face challenges within their own families, at school, in medical settings and in their wider communities.
Engagement in sport has positive effects for psychological and physical wellbeing, academic performance, and sense of belonging, and can be a source of passion – a strong protective factor for mental health. …
Giving trans kids a sporting chance
I was excited to see Cat Runner win a new reality TV show. 10 amateur climbers competing for a cash prize of $100,000 and $100,000 prAna sponsorship.
It was impressive as Cat does not have much reach. He’s the short guy in the blue jacket.
It helps to have long limbs for rock climbing.
Cat identifies as transgender, one reason he’s a climber — an activity where gender doesn’t matter.
Finally — I’m disappointed with politicians and deplorable who are today trying to win votes, make money, and accrue power by targeting transgender kids and other minorities. Attacking some of the most vulnerable people in society.
That’s despicable.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 