February 29, 2012
Just came back from a lovely trip to Cuba. My family and I were returning to a very comfortable resort near Varadero on the North coast. Word spread and suddenly we went from 7 to 28. Included in this group - 3 athletes and their families. Of course, coaching these young ladies as I have for almost 10 years, means to me, they feel more like family. I tried hard to stay off their backs (didn't lord over what they were choosing at the buffet:)) But I couldn't resist watching them show off just a little. 
Posted by Michelle Pothier.
February 2, 2012
I came across this great photo illustration on Facebook of course. Normally I roll my eyes in disdain at those inspirational quips for the masses, but this one I liked. I like it for the simplicity of the message, no misunderstandings, I like it for the directness of the message and it is absolutely directed all all us. It says the same thing as the side my Lululemon bag which oozes self-righteousness "do one thing every day that scares you". LIke what paying $100 for a pair of pants? The t... Continue reading...
Posted by Michelle Pothier.
January 24, 2012
This weekend marks our first meet for our little ODP - the Ontario Development Program allows girls as young as 5 to train and test their physical skills (flexibility, strength/power/endurance and handstand development). These are essentially the building blocks of all gymnastics skills. We see so clearly the results of the patience and perseverance of our ODP'ers in their future gymnastics at any level. Good luck Team Borden - you rock! Continue reading...
Posted by Michelle Pothier.
December 13, 2011
Haven't posted since October! well, the year is racing by. Our Tour Selection Meet in November was an awesome success. I still have judges, coaches and parents telling me how much they enjoyed the meet. (they are always so jealous of the amazing 55,000ft2 of space, until I tell them that we don't actually train in the fieldhouse!) Once again the parents did an outstanding job and kudos to our two athletes who competed, they may not have got onto Team Ontario this time, but they performed admi... Continue reading...
Posted by Michelle Pothier.
October 3, 2011
Well, what a great feeling to send this news out to our community. Actually, we knew we had won this several weeks ago, but felt that the big warm fuzzy of bringing home the banner and plaque outweighed our impatience.
We received this a the annual Gymnastics Ontario awards Banquet held this past Saturday night in Mississauga. I was a little caught off-guard not having prepared anything to say and had been reassured prior to the awards that I wouldn't have to, despite this, the previous recip... Continue reading...
Posted by Michelle Pothier.
September 19, 2011
excerpt from an email distributed to the BBGC comp team - applies to all recreational participants. Greetings parents, I hope you are enjoying the start of both the gym season and the school year. As with all places where many children converge - the climate is always rife for germs and such to spread between athletes. We are working very hard to ensure the gym is a healthy, clean environment for everyone. It has come to our attention that at least one or two athletes have come to gymnastics w... Continue reading...
Posted by Michelle Pothier.
September 15, 2011
I do love the promise of a new year. This year is certainly no exception. Our club is brimming with promise, so many new little expectant faces ready to learn. I look forward to this season as no other. I have been also spending time looking outward. Participating in a committee examining a new set of rules potentially for Ontario. I wonder how other jurisdictions work (south of the border) - I wonder how gymnastics would be if it was a huge and popular as hockey is here. With dozens/hundreds... Continue reading...
Posted by Michelle Pothier.
August 30, 2011
Summer training is coming to an end... this marks the end of an very intense month of training. For the provincial team - they've logged over 100 hours this month alone. We've had more athletes training this summer than ever before, I think the results will be obvious when we start to compete. I am also incredibly happy with our new Level 2 coaches. I think a club that aims to progress coaches and athletes is on the right track!
Our family was on holidays in Nova Scotia this summer (before tra... Continue reading...
Posted by Michelle Pothier.
August 16, 2011
Always a little bittersweet, we build up for this for 10 months then it's hardly a blip in our year. Well for gymnasts it's a big blip, especially when you get 5 weeks off as our whole comp team does. I know they enjoy the time off (I absolutely do!) and parents/families can depend on a certain schedule. These kids aren't going off to the Olympics quite yet, balance is good thing. Still, as I faced a group of 8 very sore, very tired gymnasts their first week back, I had to inform them - the ... Continue reading...
Posted by Michelle Pothier.
June 24, 2011
Many teachers, coaches, instructors often say the same thing...I'm not really teaching (dance, gymnastics, music, biology.....etc) I'm teaching life skills, work ethic, and teaching 'good-people'. I feel this way too, and looking at life through the lens of gymnastics, the obstacles young people face start to look less daunting after they've had to overcome the fears, injury, risks that they've worked through in the gym. Gymnastics is a humbling sport. You are never perfect and never perfect ... Continue reading...
Posted by Michelle Pothier.
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