Berkhamsted Gymnastics Club

Basic Description of BGC’s Artistic Squad Structure

National Pathway – Girls only

Squad 1:  O9’s - 22+ per wk

For gymnasts 9yrs +, Competing at Elite Compulsories, Voluntary 2 and FIG, NDP Grades and MUST compete within BGC Club Championships. (National and Elite Level Gymnastics).   Progression through the pathway is compulsory

Squad 1 U9’s: - 17 hrs per wk

For gymnasts 7yrs +, Competing at Elite Compulsories and Regional In Age Level 5 & 4 and MUST compete within BGC Club Championships (Regional and National Level Gymnastics).   Progression through the pathway is compulsory

Regional Pathway – Girls only

Squad 2:

17 hrs per wk

For gymnasts aged 9yrs + working towards County/Regional Voluntary 4 & 3 plus NDP Regional/National Qualifiers, and MUST compete within BGC Club Championships (County, Regional & National Level Gymnastics).   Progression through the pathway is compulsory

Squad 3:

14 hrs per wk

For gymnasts aged 8yrs working towards Voluntary Level 6 & 5, plus NDP Regional Qualifiers and MUST compete within BGC Club Championships (County and Regional Level Gymnastics).  Progression through the pathway is compulsory

County Pathway – Girls only

Squad 4:

11 hrs per wk

For gymnasts aged 6yrs + working towards Voluntary Level 7 & 6, NDP Regional Qualifiers Club Grade 6 & 5 and MUST compete within BGC Club Championships (County and Regional Level Gymnastics). Progression through the pathway is compulsory

Club Pathway – Girls & Boys

A Squad: 6 hrs per wk

For gymnasts aged 8yrs +.  This group is the next step up from Development B, allowing gymnasts to increase training times and enter slightly higher competitions.   Gymnasts will work towards County Levels 7, 6 & 5 (girls) (Club Level Gymnastics), Girls HAGA Grades 4, 5 & 6 and MUST compete within BGC Club Championships.  Female Gymnasts may have the opportunity to move to County Pathway if and when ready.  Progression through the pathway is compulsory

B Squad: 4 hrs per wk

For gymnasts aged 6yrs +.  This group has been formed to allow recreational gymnasts the opportunity to increase their hours and compete at low level County competitions.   Male/Female Gymnasts will work towards, Recreational Apparatus Competition, HAGA Grades 1 – 5, Vol. Level 7 – 5 (boys) & MUST compete at BGC Club Championships.  Gymnasts will have the opportunity to move through the County pathway when ready. Progression through the pathway is compulsory

C Squad: 2 hrs per wk

For gymnasts aged 6yrs +.  This group has been formed to allow recreational gymnasts the opportunity to increase their hours and compete at low level general gymnastics competitions.   Gymnasts will work towards the General Gymnastics Competition and MUST compete within BGC Club Championships.  Gymnasts will have the opportunity to move up through the County Pathway if and when ready, however movement is not compulsory in this squad.

Foundation Pathway – Girls & Boys

Foundation 1:

6 hs per wk

For female gymnasts aged 6 - 7 yrs/ male gymnasts aged 6-8 yrs, learning preparations for more advanced gymnastics skills, whilst still increasing conditioning, flexibility, co-ordination and stamina.  Depending on ability gymnasts in this squad work towards competing at HAGA Grades1 & 2, County Level 7 and County Novice, Intermediate and Advanced, Gymnasts MUST compete in the Annual BGC Club Championships.  (after this squad a future pathway is determined), Appropriate pathway route is decided when a gymnast reaches 8 in the year.  Female gymnasts will move to one of the above pathways.

Foundation 2:

3 hrs per wk

For female gymnasts aged 5 - 6 yrs/male gymnasts aged 5-7 yrs, working on increasing basic gymnastics skills, flexibility, conditioning, co-ordination and stamina.  Gymnasts will be given the opportunity to move up through the pathway, or relocate to the Development pathway if they do not wish to committee to the increased hours, or back to recreational gymnastics if they feel they are not suited to completive gymnastics.   Gymnasts MUST compete in the Annual Club Championships.

Mini Squad

1.5 hrs per wk

This is the only mixed squad in our programme.  It is for gymnasts aged 4 yrs old who show potential.  Sessions are fun but more structured towards squad level gymnastics, concentrating on coordination, flexibility, conditioning and stamina.  Gymnasts will remain in this squad until they turn 5yrs old, unless they show increased potential.   Gymnasts MUST compete in the Annual Club Championships.