Category: parents

Andrew Vetter on Early Specialization Sport

A former gymnast, circus performer, former Gymnastics coach, today Andrew runs a business consulting strength and conditioning for athletes (mostly gymnasts).

He has some radical ideas:

  • Zero competitions until 10+ years of age.
  •  FUNdations. Training with the goals of physical & motor development, but where Gymnastics routines are not the main goal.
  • Prioritize the “extras” (e.g. nutrition, hydration, rest, academics, and mental performance, …)
  • Have fun and enjoy the process over the progress

Read part 1 of his post on Medium:

Gymnastics: My Thoughts on an Athletic Hybrid Model to an Early Specialization Sport

GymCan Culture Report expected JAN 2023

Gymnastics Canada brought in McLaren Global Sport Solutions to review Ethics, Safety & Culture.

Richard McLaren, who led investigations into Russian doping and corruption in the International Weightlifting Federation, is well respected in the field.

I first filled out McLaren’s online survey. Better than most of those fill-in-the-blank forms.

At the end of that survey, I was asked if I would be available for an in-person online interview. Of course I was keen to do so — and that happened NOV 8th.

About 90 minutes long, I felt McLaren was very open to hearing everything I had to say regarding culture. We spent most of the time talking recommendations for the future.

For example, I was asked what 3 changes I’d make first IF I was suddenly in charge of Gymnastics Canada.

I did call McLaren out on independence and transparency. And left convinced GymCan will have no influence on their findings.

McLaren Global Sport Solutions and those within it are completely independent of Gymnastics Canada, its sponsors, and other stakeholders.

MGSS has been contracted by Gymnastics Canada to independently, and without any interference or dictates from the sport, develop a Roadmap to a Culture Review and a Safe Sport Policy Review.

Roadmap to a Culture Review & Safe Sport Policy Review terms of reference

For example, the McLaren Report of Canada Soccer published July 2022 was scathing.

I told my interviewers they should do exactly the same with Gymnastics if that’s what the investigation finds.

I’d recommend spokespeople from Gymnasts for Change Canada have interviews with McLaren. They will listen.

The documentary BROKEN – The Toxic Culture of Canadian Gymnastics was released this week.

Canadian victims can contact Gymnasts for Change:

gymnasts4change_canada@outlook.com

Safe Sport Symposium, Liverpool

More than 200 participants from over 50 different countries attended a 2-day conference jointly hosted by British Gymnastics and FIG with the support of UK Sport and the Local Organising Committee.

In his closing address, Morinari Watanabe, FIG President, presented his policy of inverting the traditional model of governance at an international sports federation and placing the athlete at the top.

Every block in the inverted pyramid, from coaches, judges, national federations and continental unions right down to the President, should work to support the athlete.” 

For example, I would have appreciated one of the USA MAG stopping to address the media in the mixed zone after Team Final. Perhaps Asher.

But respect their right not do do so. Athlete first.

improving ETHICS / SAFETY

Interesting observation from a top sports journalist.

The top 3 teams at Worlds have all been having a reckoning of how to improve ETHICS / SAFETY — especially because female gymnasts are so young, and the training so intense.

Gymnastics is absolutely the best sport for kids IMHO. But there have been terrible abuses, especially at the highest levels of WAG.

British Gymnastics Reform ’25

CEO announces the launch.

Jim Redmond R.I.P.

A great moment in sport parenting.

At the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Derek Redmond tore his hamstring in the 400 metres semi-final. Waving off medical assistance, Derek felt obliged to finish the race hopping on 1-foot and, with assistance from his father, managed to complete a full lap of the track as the crowd gave him a standing ovation. 

Father Jim Redmond was one of the Olympic torch bearers in London for the Summer Games. Redmond Senior died in October 2022, aged 81.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

British Gymnastics ETHICS

Here’s how British Gymnastics plans to improve the culture of the sport.

All should have equal opportunity.

AND end up with the greatest amount of GOOD for the greatest number of people.

Mental Health – USA Gymnastics

Smart new program.

Gymnastics Canada Culture Review

Announced June 30, 2022:

McLaren Global Sport Solutions (MGSS) is pleased to announce that it will be leading the development of an implementation plan for a culture review as well as provide an analysis of Gymnastics Canada’s current national safe sport policies and procedures.

Gymnastics Canada

I received the link to their survey by email Oct 5, 2022.

McLaren should be an independent review. I know some victims feel they are not independent enough.

I was happy to see the process underway. I made myself available for future focus groups, if asked.

I thought the survey looked professional. Let’s wait on the report.

Here are a few points I shared:

Most gymnasts, recreational and competitive, in Canada benefit from the sport. It’s the activity I recommend #1 for parents.

MOST of the problems occur in WAG (Women’s Artistic Gymnastics) in competitive levels. The higher the level of competition, the more incidents. Highest priority for any analysis and change should be focused on WAG first. New policies could then be expanded to cover all Gymnastics disciplines.

I fear that the current focus on “SafeSport” will result in fewer participants, while correctly making changes for the better.  As a population Canadians will be less healthy. 

Look again at NEGATIVE starting points in Canada:

➙ “Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address MALTREATMENT in Sport“

➙ “ABUSE free Sport“

In Great Britain they cover the same content with headings like: “Safeguarding and Protecting Children“.  A positive starting point. 

You should know that many coaches are suspicious of “SafeSport” in the USA and Canada, worrying it might result in more innocent people being wrongfully accused. YES I know that rarely happens.  But it does happen.  And we still live in a society where folks are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Please leave a comment if you disagree.

Know that this site is the only one on the internet that shares a reminder warning about every Gymnastics coach convicted. We do that on our Twitter feed:

Gymnastics Coaching (@GymCoaching)

If you are concerned for a child, here are some of the important links in Canada:

Canadian Sport Helpline – a free, anonymous, confidential, and independent service 

Abuse Free Sport Canada

Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone Live Chat Counselling – immediate crisis support

Gymnastics Canada Safe Sport Reporting

Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent & Address Maltreatment in Sport

Woodward drops Gymnastics & Cheer

Damn.

I loved my weeks coaching at Woodward West.

Recall a company called the Powdr Corporation purchased Woodward in 2011.

I suspect this has everything to do with sexual misconduct lawsuits against coaches, including Nathaniel Singer in 2022.

Announcement:

We have made the difficult decision to discontinue gymnastics and cheer programming at all Woodward locations, including Woodward Pennsylvania and Woodward West Camps.  …

For those of you looking for other camp options, we would encourage you to reach out International Gymnastics Camp (IGC) or Flip Fest …

WoodwardPA
Woodward West