news

Season moving quickly!

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 12:46:42 +0100

Despair sets in when I see that the last post was months ago! How quickly time flies. Our provincial girls are just heading up to their last qualifier - boys to the 2nd. Our ODP athletes all competed successfully at their first meet in Richmond Hill. And finally our girls Invitational will compete on Feb 22 as a nice warmup to Borden hosting the 3rd Provincial Qualifying meet. Our invitational boys will be chomping at the bit to compete in Sudbury in April.

We have had such a great year for parents and athletes, barring a few minor and semi-serious injuries. I hate injuries, I play them over and over in my head to see what if anything was avoidable. Sometimes if I come to the conclusion that the injury would have occurred in a playground or at school just as easily I am somewhat consoled, but I do really detest gymnastics-specific injuries. We work hard every day to avoid them, the safety of your children weighs on my mind and on the minds of all coaches as much as the safety of our own children. In fact, we (coaches) are often far more cavalier about our own children!

Just finished the most terrific read, I will post a separate blog about it, but the book is called "Selling the Dream" it is co-written by Ken Campbell and Jim Parcels. It is ALL about hockey and anyone who knows me, knows that is not my favourite subject, but the information it has regarding parents behaviour in pursuit of their children's dreams is just so applicable to gymnastics that I was hooked.

1st Competition

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:59:12 +0100

We're off..Borden Gymnastics was in fine form this weekend. Competing against a strong field from all across Ontario - Sarah Carlton Level 8 and Joanie Turcotte Level 7, both competed very well using a new unknown set of rules from USAGymnastics. The JO (Junior Olympic) Program is likely coming to Ontario next season - this meet was a test run and a selection meet. The rules are new for us for sure, but old school. The scores are all out of 10.0, with smaller execution deductions and higher requirements for bars.
it will be an adjustment for all in this province, we are no exception, but this weekend the two girls held their own. With a notable 2nd place on Beam for Sarah.
We will spend the next year working on the new rules in preparation for next year, while we juggle the current Ontario rules.

A new season begins

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 22:01:39 +0100

Hope everyone enjoys the last blast of summer! As I move my baby (all 6'3" of him!) to U of Guelph - I am reminded that all they all grow up - through tight spots, over hurdles, under the radar, over the moon. I have enjoyed reading a lot of articles reminding us all how tough and resilient children are. How, likely, we underestimate their abilities. Their willingness to learn and be challenged and despite the sad faces they give us when they are hurt or sad or frustrated - beneath that is tough little fighter who wants to do it on their own, face the battles and come out victorious. We do them a terrible disservice when we sound the trumpets and use our voice and might to fight their battles, regardless of how we pretend it's protecting them.
My son, god love him, did just that mostly through his high school years- mostly due to a little benign neglect. Though I don't think I attended a parent-teacher interview after grade 4 (always in the gym!). Notably, he didn't always win battles, he learned some tough lessons (some teachers go easier on girls than boys, physics teachers don't care if you are the star snare drummer in the drum-line) But he did it all himself. In fact, through his last year of High School - I went to see a couple of his rugby games - i didn't even know he played rugby! He organized everything by himself and for himself. So, first year of university - a breeze - he's done everything himself - down to organizing all his finances, programs, courses, housing - he's capable, determined and best of all he knows it.
So as you send your little one to us to learn new skills, make new friends, and yes face some tough obstacles - let them fight - let them struggle - let them win.

Re-post

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:58:47 +0100

okay here it is... of course in my last post I failed to mention all the other amazing athletes you will see, but they don't need my help and promotion..

here's Beam 101

ahh Summer + Olympics!

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:02:54 +0100

Well, I hope everybody is enjoying their summer holidays - that they are safe and happy and most importantly active!
I hope you are saving up your TV watching for those 10 days of Olympic marvelling!.
CTV is carrying the Olympic coverage this year, and while I am a fervent supporter of the CBC, I am optimistic that they will come through and show ALL the canadians in sports that are sometimes misunderstood (like gymnastics, though admittedly I am entirely flummoxed by water polo).
I read a very hilarious blog post depicting the conversation you will have with the uninitiated about the dreaded balance beam! ( I will post/attach here)
I trust you will all become hug fans of our athletes. Ontario is proud to call many of them ours:
On the Women's team Kristina Vaculik, Victoria Moors, Dominique Pegg and alternate Jessica Savona (rounded out by Nova Scotia's Ellie Black -whom I'm secretly rooting for and BC's Brittany Rogers) - Trampoline's impresarios from Skyriders, Karen Cockburn, Rosie McLennan and Jason Burnett and a bevy of Rhythmic gymnasts. We don't have a men's team sadly this year, so Alberta's Nathan Gafuik will be Canada's lone male rep.
The Canadian women are without fan favourite Christine (Peng-Peng) lee - who tore her ACL at Canadians in May. With her, Canada stood a chance of top 5 team finish, without it will be hard for Canada to break top 8, but Lee is there as team captain, maybe she can spin some magic on the others!
Qualification Round is this Sunday - Canada competes in Subdivision 3 - this will qualify athletes for the Team Final (only the top eight), the Individual all round final (only the top 24) and the event finals (top eight on apparatus) - hopefully I have this right. Victoria Moors should easily qualify on floor and maybe to all round, Rogers and Black too on Vault and maybe Black to all round - she has some pretty decent D-scores. Vaculik likely won't hit event finals, but she is super consistent and is likely going for an all round spot and maybe a top 16 finish.
Most Hockey-loving families are glued to the Olympic hockey games - make sure you show and share your child's love of the sport by donning your favourite Canada Tee and turn on your big screen and let them do the commentary!
Enjoy and GO CANADA GO!

Canada's Top athletes at the Olympic Trials in Gatineau
Ellie Black (far left), Victoria Moors (5th from left), then Dominique Pegg, Brittany Rogers, Jessica Savona and far right Kristina Vaculik.

UPDATE ON THE MOVE

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 18:10:34 +0100

We are moving officially on Friday, June 15th - therefore we will be packing up tonight (Wednesday), tomorrow and of course Friday (8am to ??). We have some amazing helpers coming out, but this is a lot of back-breaking work for us, and as the old saying goes "many hands makes light work", so please support the club as we do everything we can to maintain the highest level of programming for you. Anyone with an open pick up truck, trailer, cube van would be very helpful, as well bring general tools (hammer, adjustable wrench etc) and work gloves! Coffee is on us.

Thanks again!

On the Move, again!

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:57:42 +0100

The rumours are true. We will be moving out of our current location. We are thrilled to be moving our facility to a 'drill hall' known as E-41 at the corner of Ortona and Falaise (opposite the Fire Station). This spacious facility will house our club as well as the Akido club, with whom we have worked closely with in the past and are very pleased to do so again. Our move is set tentatively for Friday, June 15th. We will likely be starting to pack up the evening before, and plan to have the gym functional for both Friday and the weekend classes. All extra hands are very welcome including the days and weeks following the move, cleaning, organizing etc. Should any details regarding the move change in the meantime, we will make sure you are notified, but we do not plan on any disruption to programming.

The year end show on Saturday June 23rd will be in the new facility and should serve as an excellent open house. Please make sure you communicate this to all family members responsible for pick up and drop off. Please note, that while the viewing is excellent, this facility does not offer any seating, so if you plan to stay, you will be responsible to bring your own.

Borden Athletes heading to Ontario Provincial Championships!

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:50:43 +0100

Borden Gymnastics Club is proud and excited to announce that two of their veteran team members have qualified to compete at the Ontario Gymnastics Championships. The meet will be held in Ottawa on April 21^st. Emily Flood, a 15 year old Level 7 athlete and Sarah Carlton also 15 competing in Level 8 are both long standing members of the club. The talented athletes have been competing all season long to qualify as one of the top 32 athletes in their age and level categories in the Province. They will now spend the next few training days honing and polishing their routines for what hopes to be a promising end to the competitive season.

“I am really thrilled I qualified” noted Emily Flood, “but I know I need to compete at my best and be at the top of my game to really represent my team well”.

The coaches, parents and fellow team members at Borden Gymnastics are certain the girls will make them all very proud.

More Food for thought

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:53:56 +0100

If it's true that we only use a small fraction of our brains' capabilities, then thinking more can't be a bad thing!

A coach friend of mine has graciously been linking the status updates of a coach in the US - Todd Burgdorf. It appears that he enjoys writing out his coaching thoughts, and many of his musings are spot on...from parents sending out 'soft children', to marvelling in the unique qualities of children, not trying to hide what makes them different to the taboo subject of 'bribery'. You may not agree with all his ideas, but it does open the dialogue. Want to talk more about these topics? I will print off a copy of each and post on the wall at the side of the gym, grab one, read it in the stands and then talk amongst yourselves. Let me know what you think!

I thought I'd post some of the highlights..

-Thankfully all young athletes are not preprogrammed robots who all do the same thing. Very boring for a coach. Your child is unique. Your child is special. Your child should be allowed, and challenged, to be better with her unique set of qualities.
- In reality, the person who learned the most, progressed the most could have been sitting and watching the awards because she moved from 30th to 15th. The child with the “best meet” could very well have walked away with no awards.
-We can’t allow ourselves to turn out “soft children” into the world. They will get overwhelmed, beaten down, eventually defeated and probably live unhappily. Life is tough. College is tough which is where we usually send them to when the time comes to “spread their wings” and fly on their own. A dependent child will have trouble spreading her/his wings. A pampered child will look around for handouts because that is what they are used to. A “soft” child going out into the world? Children become “not soft” when they are allowed to be challenged and sometimes stumble without Mom and Dad rushing to the rescue. “Not soft” children are allowed to figure things out without someone always giving them the answers. “Not soft” children are allowed to be sad sometimes. Allowed to be frustrated sometimes. Allowed to be confused for a period of time to see if they can figure it out on their own.
- I say no bribing of children for athletic performances as it may take away from all those intrinsic values we want to teach them. I think bribing might work short term but will not be healthy for the long haul. It might also be contrary to what the coach believes and is teaching the athletes on their team.

Food for thought for all of us!

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:33:32 +0100

Sorry for posting twice in one day! I came across this article posted on FB by one of my very respected coach friends. I noted how many fellow coaches chimed in to comment how true this was.
That's great I thought, but truly preaching to the choir. Its the parents who need to know this. This article is gentle, no blaming or finger-pointing. We are all responsible for our children's path through sport and through life.
Enjoy.
What Makes a Nightmare Sports Parent