USAG has long published a list of permanently ineligible members.
They are now also posting a list of those currently under suspension.
It does not include names of those suspended in the past nor minors serving suspensions.
Category: parents
red flags for Gymnastics parents
Coach and Mom Nicole Paseka Grundmeier advises parents to ask these questions:
1. Will I be allowed to watch my child practice once she joins the competitive team?
2. Will my child be required to be home-schooled now or when she reaches a certain competitive level?
3. Will the coaches weigh my child at practice or at any other time?
4. Will my child get a snack break during practice?
5. Will my child be punished with painful conditioning for mistakes made inside the gym?
6. How will the coach respond if my child is afraid of a skill or bails on a skill?
7. What percentage of my child’s teammates suffer from overuse injuries?
8. Do my child’s teammates cry frequently at the gym?
9. Do my child’s coaches communicate well with me?
10. Will my child ever be alone with a coach?
Toxic coaching tactics enabled Larry Nassar to abuse girls. Here’s how to know if your gym uses them.
I’d add one red flag I look for in every Gym I visit …
How many older girls are on the competitive team?
If there are few (or none) when and why did they quit?
on coaching favouritism
Why the favoritsm?
I’m fully aware that some kids are more coachable than others; some kids work harder than others; some kids are more driven and determined; some kids fear nothing; some kids have a better attitude and work ethic. And some are just easier to get along with. But why alienate parents in favor of other parents?
I want to believe this is not intentional, but having sat back and watched for a number of years, I’m not so sure it is. …
It is not just the parents who notice this–kids are incredibly observant and they know when someone is receiving preferential treatment. …
gymnasts still love Gymnastics
The love of gymnastics still runs deep among the thousands of young girls who streamed into suburban Chicago’s Sears Centre Arena this weekend to cheer reigning world all-around champion Morgan Hurd and other rising stars at the 2018 American Cup. …
At the Safe Sport booth, eight-foot-tall banners displayed the toll-free number (1-833-844-SAFE) and email address (safesport@usagym.org) for reporting abuse. Brochures about child sexual abuse prevention were free for the taking, as were copies of USA Gymnastics’ beefed-up Safe Sport policy, which requires all members to immediately report instances of abuse. …
Rhonda Faehn:
“You have to let the athlete at a very young age understand and know that they can — and it’s important that they do — learn to communicate and speak up,” said Faehn, a former elite gymnast who coached 13 seasons at Florida. “It’s not only okay, but the best gymnastics results from a teamwork of communication.”
Athlete empowerment wasn’t the hallmark of the command-and-control coaching style of the Romanian husband-and-wife tandem of Bela and Martha Karolyi …
As USA Gymnastics promises to change in post-Nassar world, love for the sport remains
All good.
But, like many others, I’m still wondering what happens when USAG is hit in court with their first multi-million dollar payout to an athlete.
The organization doesn’t have many millions of dollars in their budget.
USAG Athlete Assistance Fund
The Athlete Assistance Fund, established by the National Gymnastics Foundation, is now accepting applications from gymnasts who have experienced sexual abuse in the sport of gymnastics for access to counseling services. …
Request access to counseling services through the fund
You can donate to that fund, as well.
Everything is strictly confidential.
physical contact in the Gym
Coach Kyle gets specific on exactly what’s inappropriate in his Gym.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (11min)
Leave any comments you have on the YouTube page.
The Sheldon Kennedy story
Calgary Gymnastics Centre brought in Sheldon Kennedy for a Special Education evening on abuse prevention – Wed February 7th at the Sport Hall of Fame.
Sheldon Kennedy (born June 15, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. …
Kennedy is known for going public as a victim of sexual abuse by his coach, Graham James. In 1998, Kennedy roller bladed across Canada to raise awareness and funds for sexual abuse victims. Currently, Kennedy serves as a spokesperson for violence and abuse prevention programs with the Canadian Red Cross. …
Click PLAY or watch the trailer on Vimeo.
Canadian Coaching Code of Ethics
1. Physical safety and health of athletes
2. Coaching responsibly
3. Integrity in relations with others
4. Respect of athletes
5. Honouring sport
It’s a simplified version of the COACHING ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (CAC) CODE OF CONDUCT with DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES.
Canadian coaches do some online courses on ethics, as well.
When it comes to coaching ethics Keith Russell recommends: Educate, Educate, Educate, Legislate.
Aly Raisman files lawsuit
Kerry Perry message
Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.
Read an expanded version online: Finances, Sponsors, Litigation, National Team Training Center.
If USAG is to be saved, I’d call this a small step forward. The words are good if not yet backed up with enough action.
There are doubters. John Nichols points out Perry attended only a portion of one day of victim statements.
related – Jessica O’Beirne from GymCastic was invited to LSU for Elite verification. She’s been the most vocal critic of USAG through the Nassar scandal. I see this as real evidence of transparency. An even bigger step forward.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 