GYMNASTICS FOR ALL

GYMNASTICS IS A SPORT FOR EVERYONE

Gymnastics for All, or General Gymnastics, is the non-competitive branch of gymnastics also known as performance and recreational gymnastics. It is the lifeblood of the gymnastics community with over 90 percent of our membership is involved in gymnastic programs at the recreational/performance level.

The dynamic nature of the sport of gymnastics appeals to children and adults alike, and motivates them to participate in preschool, CANGYM ™ youth recreation, adult recreation, and performance group programs. Having fun, developing fitness, and acquiring fundamental skills are the goals of all of these programs.

Gymnastics is a sport for everyone, young and old. It provides an opportunity to challenge oneself physically, and explore various forms of movement in a fun and creative activity. Gymnastics is one of the best activities for contributing to the overall development of a child. For children and adults of all abilities, gymnastics provides the foundation for participation and success in all other athletic activities.

Gymnastics is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and by Sport Canada as a foundation sport because it plays a crucial part in the development of fundamental movement patterns and sport skills. Early participation enables children to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle for a lifetime. Some of these children will go on to become Olympic champions and mentors inspiring young Canadians to participate in sport. All of them will be equipped with physical, mental, social and emotional abilities gained through the sport of gymnastics.

Gymnastics Canada, Gymnastics Saskatchewan and clubs across our province work together to fund and deliver gymnastics programs appropriate for each stage of athlete development.

What is CanGym?

CANGYM is Canada’s National Skill Development and is the officially recognized recreational program of Saskatchewan gymnastics clubs.

The program was created by coaches, to be used in recreational gymnastics programs for participants 6 years old and older. CANGYM has two objectives:

  • To provide a badge-based, skill development program for Canadian gymnastics clubs.

  • To provide resource material that complements the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Gymnastics curriculum.

How does CanGym work?

The program is user friendly and includes a wide variety of resources for clubs and coaches. There are twelve different colored badges in CANGYM. Each badge consists of approximately 20 skills. Program skills have been selected to ensure a clear progression form one badge to the next, leading to the target skills that are contained in the Gold Level badges. These key skills match the skills that are covered in the NCCP Level 2 and 3 Technical Gymnastics courses. They can be considered as “building blocks” for more advanced gymnastics, but can stand alone as excellent recreational level skills. All CANGYM program skills are compulsory. From Badge 1 to 4 (Burgundy to Bronze), boys and girls must master all the same skills; starting at Badge 5 (Purple) separate boy’s and girl’s skills (as defined by the apparatus) are identified.

  • CANGYM Description & Recommendations

Manual & Supplies

  • CANGYM Manual – $100.00 (plus shipping)

  • Badges – $1.50 each

  • Badge holders – $1.00 each

Order Can Gym Resources in the Gym Sask Marketplace

CAN GYM

WE ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR FOUNDATIONAL SPORT TO INCREASE PHYSICAL LITERACY OR LIFETIME INVOLVEMENT

Performance Gymnastics is available for all age ranges, abilities and program goals. These programs are geared towards having fun, developing fitness, and acquiring fundamental skills using a variety of apparatus (i.e) ribbons, balls, and hoops, or no apparatus at all.

Gymnastics provides a solid foundation of important skills such as balance, strength, flexibility and overall body awareness that can be transferred into other athletic activities.

Gymnastics Canada has developed two resources for clubs and coaches who are interested in starting a performance/gymnaestrada program and who would like to learn more about the Gymnaestrada events.  

There are various activities for those who are interested in Gymnaestrada events. 

PERFORMANCE GYMNASTICS

Provincial Gymnaestrada

Gymnastics Saskatchewan holds a Provincial Gymnaestrada almost every year.  Gymnaestrada means a festival of gymnastics.

National and International Gymnaestradas

All with the focus on participation. These events occur every four years. Gymnasts participating in these gymnaestradas are generally senior and experienced gymnasts. Each province creates a performing group that audtions for a space in the international event by attending the National Gymnaestrada the year before. This group is made up of gymnasts from across the province.

Challenge Cup

Held annually at the end of each season.  This is an adjudicated event for group performances (under 12, 12-14, 15-17 and 18 & over). Details are listed in the Gymnastics for All Rules and Regulations. The Challenge Cup is held earlier in the day and is followed up with an evening Gala performance. It is open to clubs across Western Canada.

Mass Routines

Mass Routines have been develped by various choreographers over the years and are indended to be performed at Galas and Provincial Gymnaestrada.  Each year one of the Mass Routines is replaced. 

Active Start

Mass Duck Routine (2022-2023) Choreographer:  Jillayne Keck

Through age-appropriate activities, and using adapted equipment, participants will be introduced to the Fundamental Movement Patterns: landings, static positions, locomotions, rotations, swings, springs and object manipulation. The quality of movement for each of these patterns will be extended and enhanced through the use of music, rhythm and the principles of dance.

Participants likely attend gymnastics for 45-60 minutes a class, one to two times a week.

Fundamentals

Mass Beach Towel Choreographer: Kara Thorpe

In this stage, participants continue to develop and master the fundamental movement patterns in a multi-gymnastics (i.e. all gym disciplines) environment. The gymnast masters fundamental movement skills before sport-specific skills are introduced. The Fundamental Movement Patterns gain quality, definition and refinement as the basis for building gym-specific skills. Basic skills should be introduced.

Participants likely attend gymnastics for 60-90 minutes a class, one to three times a week.

Specialization

Mass Co-Resistance (2020-2021) Choreographer: Megan Bialowas

In this stage the focus is on the development of gymnastics skills and overall sport skills. Participants will continue to develop, extend and refine agility, balance, coordination and flexibility. Posture and core strength should be well-established during this stage. In addition, the gymnast will develop sound basic skills on large apparatus and with hand apparatus, which ensures successful, ongoing, and progressive participation in recreational, demonstration, or competitive gymnastics. Skills are challenging and the fun of gymnastics is found in achieving a new skill, working with a group of athletes and friends, and striving to do one’s best. This is an important time for the development of complex gymnastics skills.

Physical preparation – strength, endurance and flexibility – must accompany skill training (prepare the body to advance the skill).

Participants likely attend gymnastics for 90-180 minutes a class, two to three times a week.

Gym For Life

Mass Noodle (2021-2022) Choreographer:  Kelsee Douglas

In this stage gymnasts have consolidated all the basic skills and are developing and refining advanced skills.  Participants will ideally be a minimum of 14 years of age by the date of the performance.  They have the ability to perform routines of increasing complexity and difficulty.  Gymnasts must now learn to perform well under a variety of conditions.  they will reach an optimal performance state that will enable them to meet their individual performance goals.  Gym for Life is not discipline specific; it incorporates skills from all disciplines of gymnastics.

ATHLETES OR PARTICIPANTS WITH A DISABILITY

TEAM SASKATCHEWAN GYMNAESTRADA

eam Saskatchewan Gymnaestrada (TSG) is a Gymnastics for All program that encompasses all disciplines to promote opportunities for life-long participation in gymnastics. We are currenlty recruiting athletes and active individuals for Team Sask Gymnaestrada.  Training for this team will start in September of 2021 to attend Canadian Gymnaestrada in 2022, with the hopes of being selected to Team Canada to attend World Gymnaestrada in 2023 in Amsterdam!

If you would like to learn more about Gymnaestrada.  Check out this webinar created by Gymnastics Canada!  It defines Gymnastics for All and highlights personal experiences from individuals across Canada who have first hand experience at Provincial, Canadian and World Gymnaestrada.  Click HERE for the Gym Canada presentation.

Gymnastics Saskatchewan and Team Sask Gymnaestrada hosted an information session about TSG, this is a great way to decide if TSG is right for you!  Click HERE to view the information session.

Questions about TSG?  Please email tsg@gymsask.com