2024 Inside Gymnastics Readers’ Choice

Inside Gymnastics magazine is running a VERY comprehensive poll on all things MAG and WAG Gymnastics. Click through to VOTE.

Vote Now! 2024 Inside Gymnastics Readers’ Choice

SAMPLE poll:

off-bed trampoline from bounce

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.

Arthur Gander Memorial RESULTS

Women (three apparatuses):

  1. Kaylia Nemour ALG 41.35
  2. Karina Schönmaier GER 38.95
  3. Julia Soares BRA 38.70
  4. Selina Kickinger AUT 37.85
  5. Naomi Visser NED 37.55
  6. Veronica Mandriota ITA 37.50

Men (four apparatuses):

  1. Illia Kovtun UKR 57.10
  2. Felix Dolci CAN 55.85
  3. Caio Souza BRA 55.40
  4. Mario Macchiati ITA 55.25
  5. Florian Langenegger SUI 54.85
  6. Jan Imhof SUI 53.55

John Crumlish – Nemour, Kovtun dominate Arthur Gander Memorial

Donnell Whittenburg interview

Fan favourite, Donnell Whittenburg, is now age-30.

zhoxxyy posted an entertaining interview. Donnell has always been thoughtful and well spoken.

Recovering from Achilles surgery, he’s planning to compete in 2025.

I still remember Donnell as a young teenager with incredible difficulty for his age.

He’s already had a long and successful career.

Coach in New Zealand

The Christchurch School of Gymnastics is looking to hire a senior WAG coach with choreography experience.

Having coached at CSG myself, I can confirm it’s an excellent program in a wonderful city.

2024 Arthur Gander – Kaylia Bars

So. Consistent.

How Cheerleading Became So Acrobatic, Dangerous and Popular

AI summary of the NY Times article by David Gauvey Herbert.

Published Oct 22, 2024

… the rise of competitive cheerleading in the United States and the dominance of a single company, Varsity Spirit, in the industry.

It highlights the story of Nikki Jennings, a talented young cheerleader who suffered numerous injuries and abuse during her cheer career, including concussions, hamstring injuries, and emotional abuse from her coach.

The article also delves into the history of cheerleading, tracing its origins from military chants to the modern, acrobatic sport it has become.

It examines how Jeff Webb, the founder of Varsity Spirit, has shaped the sport through his innovations and desire for control, leading to allegations of monopolistic practices and negative impacts on participants and their families.

The article also touches on the recent $4.75 billion sale of Varsity Spirit to the private equity firm KKR, raising questions about the future of the sport and the company’s grip on it.

Read the original article (subscription required).

How Cheerleading Became So Acrobatic, Dangerous and Popular

AI generated image

Coaching for Performance in Life and in Sport

Coaching Association of Canada is circulating a “toolkit” for coaches who want to improve the success rate for their athletes.

It’s based on the dissertation of Erin Willson, PhD.

The full document is linked at the bottom of this post.

AI summary of the PDF:

The document provides a toolkit for coaches to create positive sport environments that foster both performance success and athlete well-being.

It outlines four key attributes of a positive sport environment: characteristics of the athlete, characteristics of the coach, characteristics of the coach-athlete relationship, and characteristics of the training environment.

The toolkit encourages coaches to expand their definition of success beyond just medal performance to include personal development, well-being, enjoyment, and a desire to stay in sport.

It provides guidance on assessing readiness for change, implementing positive coaching strategies like being empowering, healthy, and maintaining respectful coach-athlete relationships.

The toolkit also includes resources like checklists and planning guides to help coaches integrate these strategies.