by site editor Rick McCharles
This post was inspired by the angst I’ve heard regarding the Canadian WAG selection for Worlds. Actually, the process was carefully done, from what I’ve heard.
The one valid criticism is that not enough gymnasts were invited to trials for Worlds / Pan-Ams (10 competed of 15 invited). For one reason or another, these strong gymnasts were not there: Silvia Colussi-Pelaez, Jessica Dowling, Sarah Flett, Taylor Ricci. (… who else?)
True or not, people suspect that the complex and confusing selection process protects the girls already on the National Team. (I don’t think anyone would deny that Silvia should be on the Canadian team in Tokyo if we truly want to qualify for the Olympics.)
Communication of what was happening at Canadian trials was poor too.
In recent years we’ve seen FIG and USAG improve their messaging online. In fact, I’d call both organizations superb in social media.
First Romania, then Russia and now even China have vastly improved their presence online.
Canada has not yet made much of a leap to the age of social media. In fact, I’d call us one of the least communicative gymnastics nations. I have no idea, for example, why we did not send a WAG Team to the Commonwealth Youth Games, normally one of our highest priorities. There may be a good reason — but it was not communicated widely.
Part of the problem is the top down, socialist infrastructure imposed on organizations by Sports Canada. Decisions often need to be ratified by committee. (Know that a camel is a horse built by committee.)
When Americans complain about Marta Karolyi, my first response is to wish Canada had a Marta — someone who wants to win and who can make decisions.
People ask me what’s happening with Gymnastics Canada. Normally I don’t know. I have no official relationship with Gymnastics Canada other than as a member and coaching course clinician.
An information vacuum often leads to speculation and misinformation. Here’s one example.
Yet there are a few good places to get information online.
The Gymnastics Canada website is quite attractive, actually. Featured news is right on the home page.
It’s not updated as often as I’d like. Getting posts done up in both official languages sometimes causes delays.
GymCan even has a blog linked to the official site. Though it was not updated in over 2 months, last time I checked.
The email news updates are good, but infrequent. Click on the GYMCAN E-NEWS button on the home page to subscribe.
Gymnastics Canada does have a twitter account.
@CANGymnastics
But only 119 followers, 84 tweets. Following 3.
And a Facebook page. It’s not all that active yet with only 224 LIKES.
The Gymnastics Canada YouTube channel is good. Subscribe.
TV coverage of Canadian gymnastics is surprisingly good.
Nationals is not always broadcast, but the meet was streamed online in 2009. And there are ambitious plans to stream every routine for Nationals 2011.
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Unofficial sources of information are often more timely:
Blythe Lawrence, the Gymnastics Examiner, has attended the past 2 Canadian Championships. International Gymnast and Inside Gymnastics magazines do give Canadians their fair share of coverage.
• Gymn.ca … the most popular Canadian blog edited by Jenn Isbister
• Grace Chiu on Facebook. Grace is official Canadian photographer and IMHO the best gymnastics photographer working today.
• For competitions and scores, Stu Cram’s Gym Score Depot site is excellent.
• Kyle Shewfelt is an unofficial ambassador.
… Leave a comment if I’m forgetting any WAG or MAG links of national interest.
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Information online as to what’s happening with T&T Canada is less problematic, mainly due to coach Brett MacAulay. I get updates near daily on his Facebook page.
He has over 2200 T&T vídeos posted to his CGC TV YouTube channel.
Coaches competing kids in a lower level than their actual ability group in order to WIN.
