Performance Programs
High Performance Junior - Stefanie Merkle with Coaches Aaron and Angela Brokenshire
Stefanie has a NEW WEBSITE! Check it out HERE: www.stefaniemerkle.com
Stefanie Merkle (Team Canada) - Floor Routine - 2011 Massillia Cup (Marseille, France)
Objectives
Our goal is to develop a select group of young ladies into exceptional developmental and competitive gymnasts and to become exceptional members of society. We will value and foster strong work ethic, tenacity, good sportsmanship and the competitive spirit. Our gymnasts will aspire to succeed in all levels of competition, setting a standard of performance by which others will measure their success.
Selection Criteria
This program is entered through successful audition of girls ages 6+. Aspiring gymnasts need no previous experience and need not even be enrolled at the centre. Simple aptitude measuring activities help us evaluate flexibility, strength, coordination, balance, listening ability and tenacity. The final stage in the selection process is a parent interview. The Performance Programs are for girls who show a love for gymnastics in all it's form (movement, acrobatics, dance), who are small for their age, who have no fear, have boundless energy, and are good at school. This is NOT a program for girls who are shy, quiet, tall for their age or not athletically inclined.
Training Duration
The Performance Programs run on a 12 month schedule. Once selected into the program, each girl is placed into a group based on factors that include age, ability, and skill level. Every gymnast is carefully placed in a group where in the opinion of the coaches, they will be challenged without feeling overwhelmed, and will best progress to attain success. Gymnasts in the Performance Programs train in between 9-27 hours/week.
As gymnasts progress in their development, training hours will also increase to allow for further physical and skill development while decreasing the risk of injury. The more advanced skills require body conditioning and physical preperation. As such, a 10 year old gymnast may train up to 20 hours/week and an elite level accomplished gymnast (12+ years) may train up to 27 hours/week.
A note about elite level training: Out of ~800 Recreational participants, less than 5 will progress to the Elite level. Only a few kids have the physical, emotional, and psychological characterstics (focus, determination, competitive spirit, hard work ethic, patience, etc.) that are required for elite gymnastics. At Revolution, it is the coaches role to assist each gymnast in reaching her maximum potential with the realization that each gymnast is ultimately responsible for hew own progress, and ultimately, her own success.
Competition
The Performance Programs are composed of 4 sub-programs: Pre-Elite, Invitational, Provincial and Elite (National). Depending on the age and level of each child, they will be preparing for eventual competition, representing Revolution Gymnastics, and potentially Ontario and/or Canada. In these programs, gymnasts will spend a lot of time working on physical ability and skill acquisition to properly prepare for eventual competition. Possible events they may partake in are the Ontario Developmental Program (ages 6-9), the Ontario Competitive Program (ages 7+) the Canadian Pre-Novice Program (8+ year olds), or the Canadian National Program(ages 11+). Revolution staff determine specific guidelines and requirements which gymnasts need to attain in order to compete at each level.
2011/2012 Performance Programs Competition Calendar
November 11-12 - Invitation Combs-La-Ville, France
November 18-20 - Massilia Gym Cup, Marseilles, France
November 18-20 - Tour Selection - Base Borden, ON
December 9-10 - 1st Provincial Qualifier - Burlington, ON
January 14-16 - 2nd Provincial Qualifier - Blenheim, ON
January 20-22 - Elite Canada Screening - GTA
February 10-12 - 3rd Provincial Qualifier - Woodbridge, ON
February 16-19 - Elite Canada- Mississauga, ON
March 5-12 - Ontario Winter Games - Collingwood, ON
March 9-11 - Gymnix Invitational - Montreal, QC
March 24-25 - Revolution Rewind - Kitchener, ON
April 19-20 - Ontario Championships - TBD, ON
April 27-29 - Canuck Cup, Mississauga, ON
May 10-13 - Eastern Canadian Championships -Quebec, QC
May 21-27 - Canadian National Championships - Regina, SK
June 2-3 - Marilyn Hayes - Newmarket, ON
July 5-8 - Puerto Rico Cup - San Juan, PUE
