Competition groups

The club has approximately 310 competitive gymnasts in the children’s, youth and adult series and about 40 precompetitive under-10s in various activities. Each year, we set up new pre-training groups, some of which serve as a springboard to a later selection and some are directly sport-specific. Each starting group has about 12 children and is guided by an instructor with an assistant. At the beginning, sessions are held 2-3 times a week for 1.5 hours at a time. Later on, training times and hours may increase.

New gymnasts are enrolled in beginner groups (‘precompetitive groups’) through evaluations. Recreational gymnasts and outsiders can participate in these. No gymnastics experience is required.

Competing in the Finnish Gymnastics Federation’s sports starts by participating in a Stara event. No points are given, but an oral evaluation. The 1 category of each sports is the first competition category. Progression from one class to another occurs under conditions of development, less frequently with age, as is the case with gymnastics regulations and culture. The progress is initially determined according to the instructor’s evaluation; in later classes so called “ascent points” that must be achieved in order to achieve class progress are in use.

In its training philosophy, the club emphasizes safe development and high-quality execution of the basics. Gymnastics brings joy and development. Everything is built on what has been learned before and there are no shortcuts. Perseverance is rewarded as tremendous skills and the adoption of a sporty lifestyle. Slow advancement will bring safety when learning new skills in a controlled way

Gymnasts and their families are required to commit to attending training and supporting the child’s development during the various stages. Training activity and their enjoyment are crucial for development to take place. There will be group changes over the years in order to maintain the balance of each training group. Developmental curves are individual and the club encourages everyone to find their own level.

Initially, the costs consist mainly of training fees. Training can be done in normal clothes and no other equipment is needed at first. Later, camp and competition trips will be come into play. These mostly concern the home country and the surrounding area. Most of the federation camps are held in Kuortane and regional camps in Kisakallio, Lohja.

Training policies

All coaching is in the hands of professional instructors. The club instructors have undergone the highest level training of the federation and the International Federation and have experience in Olympic-level activities. We support activities aimed at international excellence and sports at a national level. Coaching involves all children and young people who are motivated to practice and compete. In the event of a possible slowing down in development, an appropriate group or other sport will be sought within the club. Developmental fluctuations in growth spikes are taken into account in the group choices and individual coaching.

The training is guided, with groups varying in size from 7 to 14. In larger groups, two instructors will be present, at least during apparatus training. The objectives, content and volume of the training follow the Athlete’s Path. Athletes who are aiming for the highest international level and highly motivated will train a maximum of 28-30 hours a week, for national level 14-19 hours. The amount of training for gymnasts 14 years of age depend on the sport and increase with age and stages of development. Most of the training takes place in the afternoons, and the more advanced gymnasts also train in the mornings. Studying is combined with practice in collaboration with teachers and principals.

Pre-competitive groups and transition to a competitive group

The goal of the pre-competitive group is to familiarize the children with the sport and inspire them to practice with purpose. The first objective is to learn how to train and function in a group. The actual gymnastics skills objectives come in slowly.

The transition to a competitive group will take place after the first season after being managed by the head instructor. So the first competitions are still going on with familiarization with the sport and its features (for example: the first competitions in March, transfer to competitive groups will be in July and August).

Conditions for transfers:

• The gymnasts are skillfully ready to transfer
• The gymnasts show a desire to train
• The gymnasts want to compete
• Parents are committed to the demands of the objectives
  • The weekly rhythm of training
  • Food, sleep, rest
  • Consideration of camps and holiday training in family planning
  • During the transfer phase, it is important to understand the commitment to the sport and to compete for years to come

Gymnastics who do not want to commit to objective oriented competitive coaching can choose an age group recreational group.

Licenses and insurances

The club complies with the Finnish Gymnastics Federation’s license and insurance regulations and its own agreements with an insurance company. Recreational members are insured with recreational insurance. The insurance in question does not apply to pre-competitive or competitive gymnasts, who must have their own insurance. This can be either an insurance linked to the federation’s license or your own.

A license is purchased through the Membership Register. Each gymnast is responsible for purchasing their own license. If you have any problems, you can contact the Finnish Gymnastics Federation’s support: lisenssit@voimistelu.fi or 040 656 5100.

The FIG license is required for international competitions. Please note the necessary delay in purchasing it. The FIG license cannot be purchased online, but from an international association through the Finnish Gymnastics Federation. This requires both paperwork and time.