Putting the bounce back into the East Region
Important changes to East Region Squad
Reflecting on progress
As we approach the end of the second year of the regional development squad we have been reviewing the progress achieved so far and considering how to become more effective in working towards the objectives we set. Those objectives were:
- To raise the overall standard of Trampoline Gymnastics within the Eastern Region.
- To do this through a squad programme which would focus on both coach education and performer development.
- To identify coaches and gymnasts with the potential, desire and commitment to aim for World Class standards.
- To find ways to nurture those coaches and gymnasts through mentoring and improved opportunity.
- To encourage a non-parochial attitude to the development of suitable gymnasts through inter-club cooperation.
We believe that, although the ball has ‘started to roll’, the process needs to be refined and become more accurately targeted towards high achievement. Regardless of criteria, at a minimum, squad sessions will always remain open to the attendance of ANY COACH in the region to further their knowledge and development.
Change
Starting on Sunday 25th May, the squad will be split according to age in order to focus more directly on the appropriate stage of gymnast development and ensure that the younger gymnasts (age groups under 13 and below) begin their careers on the correct technical path. It is clear that the existing squad members (under 17 years) have made significant technical progress and we want to maintain this momentum, but most of these older gymnasts would have benefited even more from an earlier introduction.
It will be difficult to set out specific selection criteria for each age group, but the older group will be based on criteria similar to those adopted in the past. The younger group will be assessed initially on a combination of factors:
- Age groups under 13 and below,
- Performance at squad sessions (if currently attending),
- Form scores at recent competitions,
- Assessment of potential by experienced high performance coaches.
Of course the most important criterion will be an obvious desire to ‘do what it takes’ to achieve excellence, because physical talent on its own is never enough.
As always, we may need to modify criteria slightly from time-to-time as circumstances dictate.
On May 25th the arrangements will be:
| Venue: | Courage Hall, Brentwood |
| Times: | 9.00 am to 11.50 am Junior Squad 12:10 pm to 3.00 pm Youth Squad |
| Numbers: | We expect numbers at each squad to be lower ensuring greater opportunity and bed choice. |
| Cost: | £12.00 per gymnast. |
Jack Kelly & Paul Kitchen – squad@trampoline-east.org
Trampoline Development Squad, 23rd March
Development Squad oversubscribed
Despite having a number of regular attendees at squad missing, we have found ourselves oversubscribed for the next development squad on March 23rd. This means that, unfortunately, we are unable to meet all the requests for wildcards. Since the purposes of the squad are to promote excellence we have decided to select the wildcards who have shown the best form results in recent competitions and, accordingly, the squad list is as follows:
- Olivia Watson Brentwood
- Monica Dowling Brentwood
- Zara Phillips (wc) Brentwood
- Trinity Kelly Cangaroos
- Taranne Kendon Cangaroos
- Sydney Kelly (wc) Cangaroos
- Evie Joseph Comets
- James Able Comets
- Georgia Berry Comets
- Evie Stokes-Shinn Dimensions
- Austin Pannell Dragons
- Olivia Collier (wc) Flight
- Sam Hodgkinson Hi-Tension
- Lily Patrick (wc) Hi-Tension
- Hannah Hodgkinson (wc) Hi-Tension
- Thomas Verdicchio Levitation
- Shannon Waterman Loughton Flyers
- Elise Das Mid Suffolk
- Caitlin Houston Pegasus
- Lucy Bevan Pegasus
- Joe Harris Recoil
- Kendra Sherlock Recoil
- Lauren Bembrick-Taylor Recoil
- Carys Verdicchio (wc) Rotations
- Kathryn (Katie) Marson Rotations
- Jasmine Samson Sprung Loaded
- Reece Norden Sprung Loaded
- Luke Dewe Sprung Loaded
- Amelia Edbrooke (wc) Sprung Loaded
- Freya Grundy (wc) Waveney GC
- Haidee Spence Waveney GC
Programme for 23rd March
- 09.45 Arrive
- 10.00 Welcome and introduction
- 10.15 Floor warm up (Directed)
- 10.30 Trampoline warm up (Directed)
- 11.00 Jump drills
- 11.30 Creating a SATNAV to improve routine performance
- 12.30 Lunch
- 13.00 Floor warm up (Own choice)
- 13.10 Trampoline warm up (Own choice)
- 13.30 Training to own programme including 30 minutes ‘Perpetual Motion.’
- 14.45 Session review
- 14.50 Equipment away
- 15.00 Depart
Squad Survey
After the last squad we set up a short on-line survey and asked those attending to respond to a range of questions intended to inform the Squad Coaches on how squads are (i) being received and (ii) could be improved.
Both coaches and gymnasts were asked to respond, in total 13 of 28 gymnasts did so, and 9 of approximately 15 coaches (excluding those related to the squad and its operation) – so approximately 50%. The summary results are:
| Questions | Options | Coach | Gymnast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Responses by: | 9 | 13 | |
| Have the squad sessions helped you to make changes? | Yes | 8 | 13 |
| No | 1 | 0 | |
| Which area of approach has been affected? | Attitude | 2 | 7 |
| Technique | 6 | 7 | |
| Training Method | 7 | 11 | |
| Skipped question | 1 | 0 | |
| What has changed? | Text responses | 8 | 12 |
| Skipped question | 1 | 1 | |
| Do you believe the change is sustainable? | Yes | 8 | 12 |
| No | 0 | 0 | |
| Skipped question | 1 | 1 | |
| Please suggest improvements | Text responses | 6 | 7 |
| Skipped question | 3 | 6 | |
| Name | Given | 6 | 9 |
| Not given | 3 | 4 | |
| Club | Given | 6 | 9 |
| Not given | 3 | 4 |
Some written responses to specific questions (summarized/truncated in some cases) are:
| Question: | Coaches | Gymnasts |
|---|---|---|
| What has changed? | More attention to basics, technical criteria at an earlier development stage. More emphasis on lower grade coaches within the club to adhere to these principals.Changes to the organisation of club squad sessions.Insisting not just on good technique, but aiming towards excellence. We use drills every session now with the whole club.Hoping to introduce the perpetual training to some of our sessions.
Adding conditioning to the circuit also more work on the control of jumping. I will use more of Jack’s drills/exercises with all my club classes (I already used some from reading his articles on the Brentwood website but it’s much better so see them for real!) After last Sunday I will be putting even more emphasis on balance than before too. [truncated] I believe that my training method and technique has changed in small ways, helped by picking up information from the higher level coaches around at the squad sessions. After both the squad sessions I have attended, I have come away feeling inspired and wanting to put into place things I have learnt. Very focused on take-offs now – what is happening in the bed as much as what happens in the air. Introduced the perpetual motion concept for our elite gymnasts which seems to be working well.
|
The coach has improved our warm up session by including the warm ups we did on Sunday. We now use training diaries on a regular basis. The squad training has helped me focus more on my technique and it makes me want to improve myself as much as I can.At the training we did the perpetual motion system that kept me busy in between goes. The log books have been helpful cos I could write down what I’ve done and what I need to improve on. So at the next training sessions I know what I need to think about.Direction and the ability to control my take off into moves.I do drills, which I learnt from squad, every training session and this has improved the accuracy of my straight bouncing.
Use of Perpetual Motion at clubs squad sessions. Warm ups have become more focused on straight bouncing and control rather than doing what we want, I find it useful because I have a better idea of how to prepare for the session. I have started to use the perpetual motion hour rota and it’s made me work harder. We are using more drills in our warm up and they are improving. The squad sessions have helped me focus more on my moves and where my body should actually be on certain moves. I liked the way that even our basic moves were shown how to perform better, I loved seeing the really good trampolinists and feel inspired to be able to do the same skills and moves as them Thinking about the best way to bounce, positioning of arms. I now know what I want out of my training and it all ha a purpose also it’s good seeing other gymnasts that want the same thing I think my attitude towards trampolining has changed, and towards what I want to do. Also, I think I have improved some of my moves and I liked doing the Perpetual Motion Hour as a training method |
| Please suggest improvements | More written handouts to take back to clubs to ensure nothing is forgotten and all the information gets handed on.Introduce other HPC coaches into the delivery team and encourage club coaches to bring other coaches from their club to support their own performers so they can circulate either with jack and Paul or just to listen in to other coaches for a spread of ideas.I can’t fault how the day is run! Well organised, useful and appropriate coach feedback. I think 4 per bed is an ideal number. I think that selection should be made from top end D’s and all C’s. As our coaching improves the ages should naturally get younger. Having wild cards is a must in order to ‘raise the game’ as a region.Nothing yet has changed though I have taken away ideas for further thought before making a change, holding for an alternative reference or discarding. There are changes I would like to make, as in better use of time between goes. Though this will be a very hard thing to change as teaching older jumpers who have become set in their ways. Will try and see how it goes. There seemed to be a large range of ability and the numbers I thought were also on the high side. [Truncated]
The squad sessions are good as they are they differ each time we come which allows us to take back to our club different things each time , I know that all our gymnasts have loved the sessions and found them helpful. That’s difficult as I thought the whole day was brilliant and really useful! The only thing is personally I would like to be able to bring more of my trampolinists to have input from the squad coaches rather than just 1, as it was really hard to choose 1 & they would all benefit, but I can see that’s not really viable. Alternatively is there any way a squad coach could possibly come to my club and do a 1 off session for all my competition squad children (& all my coaches)?? |
There were quite a lot of interruptions which sometimes made it difficult to focus.There are no improvements that could be made in my opinion.I think it would be more useful if we spent less time working on basic things such as straight jumping and maybe just give a note about it to coaches during the session as it is hard to keep focused doing things like this. Additionally last squad session I think there were slightly too many people there as when there is 5 people on a trampoline you didn’t get a chance to do a lot. But overall it is a useful session especially in terms of coaching points.I would like it if I got some advice from other coaches from different clubs.
One of our coaches was involved in the squad, we didn’t get enough coaching time. [Truncated] I just hope that I will be able to keep coming even though I’m not a grade C and because I learnt so much there. I like the way they are done now I’ve been to them since they started and enjoyed each one. |
We would like to thank all those of you who took the time to respond and to assure you that in planning the upcoming squad, we will be conscious of the comments and trying to take them into account as much as is feasible. The questionnaire is now closed to further responses, a new one will be opened after the next squad.
DMT Development Squad launched
Trampoline-East is pleased to announce the formation of a new DMT development squad for 2014. The first of a number of squad days will be held on Sunday 18th May, at Hitchin Boy’s School Sports Centre from 10am – 3pm.
Clubs are invited to nominate gymnasts who meet the minimum eligibility criteria set out below. Nominations should be sent to the Squad Director, Phil Dodson at dmtsquad@trampoline-east.org by Sunday 4th May.
There are 24 places available, and these will be allocated by the Squad Director once all nominations have been received.
When nominating please include the following information:
- name
- age
- club and personal coach
- current competition grade
- date and venue of last competition
- 4 proposed competition passes (please include DD)
Selected gymnasts are to be accompanied by a coach who is aware of their current training programme. There is an open invitation for any coach who wishes to attend for the purpose of mentoring. The cost to each attending gymnast will be £15, which will be collected by Phil on the day.
Eligibility Criteria
- Currently competing at level NDP 4 or above, or
- Ability to complete 4 competition passes (i.e. no repetition of elements) with each element at least a single somersault.
There are no age restrictions.
Eligibility criteria will be reviewed after the first squad.
Squad selection February 2014
Squad for February 2014
Following issue of revised criteria recently Jack & Paul are pleased to confirm the following successful squad applicants for the 9th February 2014 Squad session:
- Name Club Coach
- Bex Alexander Aspire Rachel Patman
- Maddison Merritt Brentwood Paul Kitchen
- Georgia Tyrrell Brentwood Paul Kitchen
- Olivia Watson Brentwood Dave Kingaby
- Monica Dowling Brentwood Paul Kitchen
- Susanna Badley Brentwood Paul Kitchen
- Zara Phillips (wc) Brentwood Dave Kingaby
- Matthew Burson Cangaroos Tony Fagelman
- Trinity Kelly Cangaroos Tony Fagelman
- Taranne Kendon Cangaroos Tony Fagelman
- Evie Stokes-Shinn Dimensions Claire Carse
- Austin Pannell Dragons Rachel Paul
- Sam Hodgkinson Hi-Tension Crystelle Mills-Smith
- Lily Patrick (wc) Hi-Tension Maria Holmes
- Hannah Hodgkinson (wc) Hi-Tension Maria Holmes
- Thomas Verdicchio Levitation Zoe Wilson
- Elise Das Mid Suffolk Philipa Das
- Caitlin Houston Pegasus Amanda Robson
- Lucy Bevan Pegasus Amanda Robson
- Joe Harris Recoil Graham Parker
- Kendra Sherlock Recoil Graham Parker
- Lauren Bembrick-Taylor Recoil Graham Parker
- Carys Verdicchio (wc) Rotations Sonia Verdicchio
- Kathryn Marson Rotations Paul Verdicchio
- Jasmine Samson Sprung Loaded Charlie Mussino
- Reece Norden Sprung Loaded Charlie Mussino
- Luke Dewe Sprung Loaded Charlie Mussino
- Amelia Edbrooke (wc) Sprung Loaded Pat Dodson
- Freya Grundy (wc) Waveney
- Haidee Spence (wc) Waveney
Squad Programme
- 9.45 Arrival.
- 10.00 Welcome and introduction.
- 10.10 Floor warm up (Directed).
- 10.30 Tramp warm up (Directed).
- 10.45 Jump drills.
- 11.30 Focus on ‘Engagement’. * (see note below)
- 11.45 ‘Perpetual Motion’ Hour.
- 12.45 Lunch.
- 13.30 Floor warm up (Own choice).
- 13.45 Tramp warm up (Own choice).
- 14.00 Work to own programme (Come prepared!)
- 15.00 Session review, cleardown and depart.
* All gymnasts should bring their current training diaries and a pen to the squad session on Sunday 9th February. Anyone without a training diary should bring a suitable notebook as this will be required during the session.
Administration
The squad will commence at 10am on 9th February and finish around 3pm, catering is normally limited to vending machines so you are advised to bring refreshments with you, we normally take a 45 minute lunch break in the middle of the session.
The squad fee remains set at £15 payable on the day to Dave please. Can you please confirm your intent on attending as soon as possible since there are other wild card opportunities we could still consider if you are not able to attend.
Please note all performers should be fit enough to cope with the length of the session and accompanied by a coach familiar with their current work.
Squad criteria changes, open to more clubs
Why change squad criteria?
The squad director & coach have been considering the large numbers who became eligible for the last squad. In this light, they have tried to find a way of ensuring a manageable squad whilst trying to provide the broadest possible scope for all clubs in the region to participate. For this reason the following criteria will be applied to the February squad although, following that, may be reviewed further.
Revised squad criteria
You are advised to read this carefully as there is an important change involved. Gymnasts are eligible to attend as follows:
- Aged 17 years or under on 31st December 2014; and
- Competed at C, or above, last season; or
- Qualified to C last season but did not compete due to the change in competition structure; and
- Emailed application to be received by email (squad@trampoline-east.org) by Friday 24th January
Important new provision to broaden scope:
In addition it has been decided that in line with the policy to include a coach education element during squad sessions, any club in the region affiliated to the ECGA and not already represented (as above), may send one coach and one gymnast (the gymnast’s standard to be determined by the club in question). Please be sure to notify the names of gymnast and coach by the closing date above.
If places on the squad session remain available after applying the above criteria, the Regional Squad Coach will invite appropriate ‘wild card’ gymnasts.
January 2014 Squad Update
Jack Kelly has just confirmed the following schedule for the January 2014 squad this weekend (although please note that the hall booking is only until 3pm so this schedule will be time-adjusted accordingly – please arrange pickups for 3pm):
- 09.45 – 10.00 Arrival
- 10.00 – 10.10 Welcome and introduction
- 10.10 – 10.25 Floor warm up (Directed)
- 10.25 – 10.40 Trampoline warm up (Directed)
- 10.40 – 11.10 Jump drills
- 11.10 – 12.30 Focus on on TEMPO
- 12.30 – 12.45 Cool down and stretch
- 12.45 – 13.15 Light lunch/snack (Bring suitable food and beverage)
It should be noted that periodic light snacking can also take place during the morning session without interruption to training.
- 13.15 – 13.30 Introduction to afternoon session
- 13.30 – 13.40 Floor warm up (Personal choice)
- 13.40 – 13.50 Trampoline warm up (Personal choice)
- 13.50 – 15.40 Working to own planned programme
- 15.40 – 15.50 Cool down and stretch (Own choice)
- 15.50 – 16.00 Session appraisal and forward plan.
All squad members must be accompanied by a coach who is used to working with them and we extend an open invitation to any qualified coach wishing to attend for the purpose of expanding their knowledge and understanding of Trampoline Gymnastics.
Squad attendees
The following are confirmed attendees, please advise us if any are no longer able to attend:
Aspire
- Josh Long
- Bex Alexander
Brentwood
- Monica Dowling
- Zara Philips
- Olivia Watson
- Charlotte Nash De Villiers
- Georgie Tyrrell
- Maddie Merritt
Cangaroos
- Matthew Burson
- Trinity Kelly
- Taranne Kendon
- Jordon Brioda
- Zach Goggins
- Mila Feldman
- Ashlea Burke
- Lois McGuire
Comets
- Evie Joseph
- James Able
- Georgia Berry
Dragons
- Austin Pannell
Mid Suffolk
- Elise Das
Hi Tension
- Lily Patrick WC
- Hannah Hodgkinson WC
Pegasus
- Lucy Bevan
- Ellen Prior
- Jasmin Samson
- Caitlin Houston
Sprung Loaded
- Reece Nordon
- Issy Gibbons
- Gina Atkinson WC
- Mia Edbrook WC
Squad criteria 2014
The first East Region Squad session for 2014 will be held at Brentwood on 12th January starting at 10am. Eligible gymnasts will be under 17 and qualified at Regional D, Nat C and Nat B using 2013 criteria, if you have such gymnasts please nominate them (with relevant details) by email to squad@trampoline-east.org as soon as possible.
There will be a maximum of 24 places on the squad but if the number of applicants exceeds availability then an assessment process will take place during the first squad session. In order to identify the gymnasts most likely to obtain long term benefit from squad membership, the following squad criteria will be broadly applied.
Squad Criteria
- Evidence of previous engagement with the squad activities eg. Compliance with the testing procedures, recognisable technical changes made following squad sessions etc.
- Preference is likely to favour younger gymnasts who have a long term future within the squad.
- Evidence of personal coach engagement with the technical messages being delivered during previous squad training.
- Ability to demonstrate progress on attainment of ‘top’ within the execution of basic skills.
- Evidence of skill flexibility i.e. absence of apparent ‘hang-ups’ or move issues.
- Evidence of trampoline-related physical conditioning.
It must be stressed that these criteria will only be required if numbers of applicants exceed available spaces.
Open Invitation to coaches
Like last year, all coaches within the region, whether or not they have a gymnast on the squad, are invited to attend squad training as part of their continuing coach development. We hope there will a be a significant response to this invitation as one of the squad aims is to raise coaching standards in addition to the level of gymnast performance.
Jack Kelly & Paul Kitchen
December 2013
Regional Squad 2014 – Provisional Dates Updated
Paul & Jack have established the following provisional dates for regional squad 2014, selection criteria to follow soon.
- January 12th,
- February 16th – revised to 9th February,
- March 23rd,
- April 20th – provisionally revised to 25th May.
Remember that these days are at least as much about developing coach skills as they are performers, so even if you don’t think you will have eligible performers please do put the dates in your diaries.
Important Competition Structure Announcement
At Sunday’s meeting of clubs following our Trampoline East AGM, we had a long and serious debate about the current competition structure, how and why it evolved, and how the structure now being mandated by BG contrasts with it. (Webmaster note – discussion documents & minutes are available on this site – click this link).
The debate looked into the possible effects of the new structure, the lack of certainty about certain elements (such as how an arm-set would be judged), and the potentially serious effect it might have on retention, safety and welfare. We were particularly grateful to Sue Lawton who took the trouble to travel from Berkshire to be with us.
From the way the debate progressed it was clear that there was a strong consensus view that the current structure allows for a more measured development of individuals than the proposed structure. Having said that, it was also acknowledged that our ‘Elite’ performers need to have a competitive pathway open to them for possibility of national representation.
At the end of the debate we considered the following options:
- adoption of the new structure being promoted by BG;
- running an NDP6 competition at times mandated by BG to provide a qualification route for those wishing to enter the Gala competitions but also running, separately, regional competitions using the current H – C specifications for all other regional competitors;
- running an NDP3-6 competition at times mandated by BG but also running, separately, regional competitions using the current H – C specifications for those not wishing to follow the NDP route;
- full rejection of the BG structure.
Following a vote in which each club had one vote the results were:
| Option 1 | No votes |
| Option 2 | 13 votes (voters for this would switch to option 3 if for some reason the Trampoline-East committee found option 2 unimplementable) |
| Option 3 | 5 votes (voters for this would switch to option 2 if for some reason the Trampoline-East committee found option 3 unimplementable) |
| Option 4 | No votes (but only on the basis that the clubs felt that a pathway to the BG galas/nationals had to be left in place given that BG are intent on implementing their structure regardless of reasoned opposition to it, not because anyone thought the proposed structure had merit). |
It was debated and understood that the voted for option 2 would mean Eastern Region would not be able to take part in the Regional Finals.
Be heard, major debate at AGM 13th October
Agenda, reports & discussion documents relating to the upcoming Regional AGM and, probably most importantly, Competition Structure meeting are now available to view at http://trampoline-east.org/committee/minutes/.
AGM details
All clubs, and interested parties are welcome to attend the meeting taking place at Sawston Sports Centre, New Road, Cambridge, CB22 3BP. Please forewarn us if you intend coming by email to:
If you have opinions this is the time to express them, silence or apathy is the enemy of fair play!