Ivybridge Community College Gymnastics Academy believes in promoting self-esteem and creating self-confidence in children through the sport of Gymnastics.  The teachers at the College provide skilled and fun instruction to all children.

We encourage children to achieve their potential and we regard safety as our highest priority.  We believe that Gymnastics can give your child an advantage in their sporting, academic, physical, mental, and social development.

Ivybridge Gymnastics Academy trains both boys and girls, places an emphasis on catering for all levels of ability, and is currently the most successful school gymnastics team in the UK.

Our Values

1. To provide a safe and structured environment.
2. To teach and coach Gymnastics at a level appropriate to the individual gymnast.
3. To ensure every gymnast reaches their potential.
4. To provide an enjoyable learning environment.
5. To provide competition opportunities at a level appropriate for all gymnasts.
6. To develop a child's confidence and self-esteem.
7. To enable others interested in the sport to learn basic coaching skills and attend courses to further their knowledge.

Gymnastics Academy Structure

The Benefits of the Gymnastics Academy

• Develops co-ordination and flexibility 
• Develops strength and power 
• Increases self-esteem and confidence   
• Develops skills to enhance other sports      
• Fosters interaction with peers
• Provides the foundation for fitness and fundamentals of movement
• Teach young people to learn, listen, and follow instructions
• Improve fine motor skills
• Improve self-discipline
• Promotes a healthy lifestyle
• Raise expectations and positive approach to learning
• Receive training from experienced British- Gymnastics-qualified coaches
• Learn the value of team cohesion and social support
• Compete in local, regional, national, and international competitions
• Represent the College and perform in shows, festivals, events and celebrationsPerform in the College’s Performing Arts Show

 

Teaching and Coaching Staff

Gymnastics Provision

The Academy specialises in Artistic Gymnastics (floor and vault only), General Gymnastics and Acrobatic Gymnastics.

Artistic Gymnastics is the Olympic sport for men and women performed on apparatus and judged individually, by event, in the All-Around and by team.  Men’s events are floor exercise, horizontal bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, still rings and vault.  Women’s events are vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.  Ivybridge Gymnastics Academy trains and performs on equipment such as floor, vault and rebound.

General Gymnastics is a non-competitive form of gymnastics featured in festivals and displays.  It culminates in a world festival of gymnastics, the World Gymnaestrada, which is held every four years and attracts tens of thousands of participants from many countries.

Acrobatic Gymnastics is a competitive gymnastic discipline where partnerships of gymnasts work together in pairs and groups to perform routines.  These routines are set to music and consist of acrobatic moves, individual gymnastic elements and choreography.  Gymnasts perform balance and dynamic moves, which include partner balances, throws, somersaults and catches.

Gymnastics is thrilling to watch, and while international-level gymnasts perform complex and exciting skills, beginner and developing gymnasts also get a great deal of benefit from the sport too, learning valuable motor skills and how to work together in groups.

About the Gymnastics Squads

Gymnastics Kit 

Students have the opportunity to purchase gymnastics kit for their training and competitions.  Two kits are available

1. Away Kit - Competition Attire (black and green O’Neils and leotards (A Star)
2. Home Kit – Ivybridge Community College Elite Squad Attire (blue kit) worn in PE lessons

Students are not to wear the competition attire into PE lessons, but the blue kit is allowed to be worn in PE lessons.  A completed clothing order form will be required to place an order for the green and black kit (see attached clothing order).  If gymnasts are unsure on clothing sizes, please leave the form blank and every effort will be made to ensure the right size is ordered.  Please hand all forms and payment in an envelope to Mrs Reddy. Please see the clothing section for the blue kit further in this document. 

Training Kit for all Elite Squad Sessions

Girls – Any leotard or crop top (under elite squad green or blue t-shirt/tracksuits) and A Star Shorts

Boys – Any leotard, vest top (under elite squad green or blue t-shirt/tracksuits) and A Star or PE Shorts

Gymnasts are not allowed to train in t-shirts or leggings after the warm-up.

Elite Squad - Away Kit

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gymnasts require the following items from the above clothing order form for competitions:

• Tracksuit jacket
• Tracksuit bottoms
• T-shirt or polo shirt
• White socks
• Competition leotards and shorts
• Boys – hair neat and tidy; Girls – gelled buns

Competitions and Events

Throughout the year gymnasts have many opportunities to take part in competitions and festivals.  An event and competition diary is also enclosed in the pack.  Selected gymnasts will have the opportunity to participate:

• Schools Artistic Floor and Vault Competitions (Regionally and Nationally)
• Schools Acrobatic Competitions (regionally and nationally)
• Schools Tumbling Competitions (regionally and nationally)
• South West Prelims Acrobatics Gymnastics Competition
• South West CDC Acrobatic Gymnastics Competition
• South West CDC Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships
• South West Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships
• Honiton Invitational Competition (national competition)
• NDP National Finals for Acrobatic Gymnastics
• Inter Regionals NDP Acrobatic Gymnastics Competition (Southampton)
• British Championships for Acrobatic Gymnastics
• International Acrobatic Gymnastics Competitions (Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, London, Bristol and South Tyneside)
• Ivybridge Club Competition
• Primary Performing Arts
• The Performing Arts Show
• Open Evenings
• Sports Awards Evenings
• Displays at events and shows

Letters will be sent home via student post informing you of any arrangements and event organisation in advance.  The letter sent home clearly outlines logistics, cost and whether transport is provided for gymnasts.

British Gymnastics Membership

One of the requirements of attending gymnastics sessions at Ivybridge Gymnastics Academy is annual membership of British Gymnastics (BG).

External Links

Students will experience a part-time Gymnastics programme during their PE lessons.  This will comprise of:

• Two or three Core PE lessons with their PE teacher
• One Strength and Conditioning Session (Year 7 only)
• One or two Specific Sports Academy training sessions
• Please note all gymnasts will be in the v or z populations. 

Gymnastics Elite Squad