Tryouts /Assessments
Wish to take gymnastics to the next level? Team/competitive programs is the way to go!
Choosing to participate and be successful in any sport competitively requires passion, commitment, dedication, perseverance, and patience. For us to consider you to be part of a competitive/team program at RGA, the following are some key elements that we look for in an aspiring gymnast:
Desire, discipline, work ethic, teamwork, punctuality, listening skills, maturity, respect, and the ability to apply corrections are among the many attributes that would make a good sportsperson. Numerous other skills like confidence, increased physical strength and flexibility, and mental strength are imbibed by simply being part of the program.
Enrollment: Participation in our team program is by invitation and/or assessment only.
Who: Girls and boys-Participants aged between 4.5 to 13 years (if the child is turning the required age in the year of the assessment, you are welcome to sign up for the appropriate session of tryouts).
MUST HAVE: completed at least one session of recreational/Gymnastics for All (GfA) program session at a gymnastics facility or invited by the Association. Participants already in a Team program at Richmond Gymnastics (Developmental/CCP/Xcel/MAG/High School program) are NOT required to sign up for tryouts.
Fee: stated at time of registration. There will be NO REFUNDS. Requests to change sessions or register for a different session will be subject to an additional fee.
How to sign up:
Tryout sessions are scheduled in the spring and registration opens on our website. Register for only one session as per the current age of the participant. If there are no open sessions, please email us at admin@richmondgymnastics.com
Arrive up to 10 minutes before the start of your session. If you are more than 10 minutes late, the coach reserves the right to refuse your participation in the tryout.
Assessments/tryouts last between 30-45 minutes. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay in the facility while the assessment is taking place.
After the assessment, RGA will contact parents within 2-3 weeks with the recommendations and the next steps involved.
Note: if a participant is not registered in the correct age group, they may not be allowed to attend a tryout and will be required to re-register for a different session.
All members accessing our services and facility are expected to abide by our code of conduct
Something else you might want to know!
Why should I consider my child joining the Team program?
If your child loves gymnastics and wants to excel in what they are already doing in the sport and, as a parent, you wish to reinforce important life skills such as discipline, determination, consistency, commitment, respect, and fair play.
A Team program provides structured training and develops and enforces a team environment while gymnasts strive to achieve their individual goals in a fun, supportive, challenging, and healthy manner. The Team program also allows participants to participate in competitions.
What should my child wear for the tryout?
Participants are expected to have bare feet on the gymnastics floor and should wear comfortable, tight-fitting clothes. Hair should be neatly tied up and away from the face. They should also bring a water bottle to the session.
What if I am running late for the tryout?
Please email or call the office and we will do our best to accommodate your late arrival. If you are more than 10 minutes late, the coach reserves the right to deny participation in the tryout session.
What will my child be tested on during the tryout?
The sessions are led by our lead team coaches. They will assess participants’ listening skills, flexibility, strength, coordination, and balance, as well as other technical requirements. The session usually starts with a warm-up, followed by physical and skill testing. The coaches are not expecting fully formed athletes, but are looking for eager and determined prospective athletes who have the potential and desire to commit to the program. If you have prior competitive gymnastics experience, simply bring your spirit to the game!!
What if my child is already in a class at the time of the tryout?
Please inform the teacher before class that your child has a tryout at a specific time. They will be allowed to leave their class or join class late to attend the tryout.
What will happen after the tryout?
The office will contact you with the results of the tryout, which will include program recommendations and next steps. Please allow 2-3 weeks after the conclusion of the tryout for the office/coach to reach out to you!
What does acceptance into a program mean for me as a parent/family?
In order for a child to be part of a team program, commitment and support at various levels is required from the entire family. Simple acts such as punctuality and open communication that minors depend on adults for are small tasks, but important for optimal growth of a child in sport. Once accepted into the program, parents are informed of the schedules, policies, fees, and expectations related to the program that are mandatory for continued participation.
Once accepted into a program, does my child begin training and competing immediately?
The acceptance letter into the program will give parents the details on when training will commence.
The details of training (days and time) differ between programs and may change throughout the season. Typically, a full season starts in July and ends in June.
The Team program starts training during the summer (mid-July for some programs and August for others). Summer training, as scheduled, is mandatory for athletes to attend. Members cannot choose which weeks or days to train. However, we understand that some families may be away for the summer holidays. The training fee throughout the summer will be applicable to retain a spot in the program.
Summer training is typically during the morning/ afternoon on weekdays. Some programs train 8:30/9 am onwards. During the school year, starting in September, training begins from 4pm onwards on weekdays, and possibly on a Saturday or Sunday. The training days from September to June may differ from the training days in the summer. The finalized training days are communicated via email, when available.
Readiness for a competition is communicated periodically. Typically, young, inexperienced athletes do not start competing immediately and must wait before the coach determines their readiness.
What are the different programs and how are they organized?
Details of our programs can be found here. A program recommendation is based on the overall tryout results which factor in their age, skill, physical abilities, and their potential in the program. The tryout session is necessary to determine which program is the best fit for each child.
What if my child is not accepted into the competitive/team program?
If it is determined that an athlete is not yet ready to join a team program, you will be guided on the next steps and recommended a Gymnastics for All (recreational) program to prepare your child for the next round of tryouts.
How often are the tryouts held?
Tryouts are typically held once a year in April or May for acceptance into programs that start in July. Based on space availability in the program, coaches may conduct tryouts throughout the season.
We look forward to ‘tumbling’ with you and your child into a fun-filled, disciplined, and spirited gymnastics journey in the competitive side of the sport!
Please email/call for any additional questions: admin@richmondgymnastics.com.