BOYS TEAM HANDBOOK

Welcome to the OGA Boy's Team!

OGA Team Motto "HEART"

Honesty Excellence Attitude Respect Teamwork

Honesty - This word is defined as "fairness and straightforwardness of conduct"; also "uprightness of character or action." I expect to see this from every athlete, parent, and staff member, as well as myself. It is our honor and integrity that gains the respect of others and adds character and worth to our beings.

Excellence - Defined as "the quality of being excellent." Excellent gymnastics means excellent form, excellent technique, and excellent presentation. Every one of our athletes, regardless of the level and potential, can achieve excellent gymnastics. Always think of the 3 D's: determination, dedication, & desire. I expect each athlete and coach to give 100% at every practice so that we can achieve the excellence we yearn for.

Attitude - "Attitude is the way you think. Your attitude is something other people can actually see. They can hear it in your voice, see it in the way you move, feel it when they are with you. Positive attitudes invite positive results. Negative attitudes always invite negative results. Attitude makes a difference every hour, every day, in everything you do for the rest of your life." I expect our team to have a positive attitude even on the worst of days by being tough-minded and refusing defeat. (I will be learning to apply this life skill right along with you; it will be tough, but we can do it.)

Respect - Respecting others is one of the most important skills that we can teach our kids. Respect is something that should be shown to everyone. I don't expect all the kids to become best friends, but I do expect them to show respect to each other and treat each other as they would want to be treated. Team is nothing without respect.

Teamwork - "The ability to work together towards a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishment towards organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to do extraordinary things." At the gym, at home, and at meets....100% unconditional encouragement, support, and love.

HEART-that's what our team is about!

Meet Season - Competition

Competing during meet season is required, unless special arrangements have been made with our Head Coach. If someone misses practice the week of competition (other than an excused absence arranged in advance) the gymnast will not be allowed to compete in the meet that weekend. Subsequently, the meet fees associated with that competition will be forfeited.

The head coach selects the gymnastics competitions.

The meets are chosen to help the development of the gymnast and to give him an opportunity to measure his skills against his peers.

OGA Boy's team is a competitive team and the goal of competition is to win. Winning at all cost is not my philosophy, but my intention is to win at every meet. In order to be a part of the OGA boy's team you must compete. If you are not going to compete, you cannot workout with or be a part of the team.

There are no specialists in the OGA boy's gymnastics program until you are a senior competitor.

Meet Fee's

Competitions generally cost between $50 & $100 depending on the level of the gymnast.

All team members compete at the Oregon State Championships.

Level 5 & above can qualify to compete at the Regional Championships.

Level 9 & 10 can qualify to compete at Nationals.

Each family will receive an estimated meet fee schedule. This schedule lists all the meets and associated fees for your son's level. The first installment of meet fees will be due in November. The second installment will be due in January . If your fees are not paid, your son will not be permitted to compete.

If there are additional competitions not included in the season meet fee schedule, i.e., Future Stars, etc., those fees will be collected prior to that competition.

What's in the bag?

Every OGA team member will receive a bag that they must take to all meets.

These are things you should have in the gym bag at meets:

Grips - Wrist bands - tape - black socks - water - fruit slices - "good luck item".

Initial Team Cost's

There are several required fees that need to be paid throughout the year

USA Gymnastics Athlete Membership.....$48

USA Gymnastics is our governing body. All athletes who are to compete must be an athlete member. There are two main benefits to becoming an athlete member. First and foremost, USA Gymnastics sanctions (insures) all competitions. Secondly, all athlete members will receive a USA Gymnastics Magazine.

In July, the Boy's Booster Club will collect all membership fees and register the team online as a group.

Competition uniforms - $100 (approximately)

Our uniforms meet the competition requirements that USA Gymnastics mandates. This includes unitard, stirrup pants, and shorts.

Warm ups - $90 (approximately)

Athletes wear warm-ups during march in and over their uniforms during competitions when they are not competing. This includes the jacket and the pants.

Boys Team Communication

Communication is the key to a successful season. With the athletes' best interests in mind, we must have an open line of communication. Below are some ways that the Boys team communicates with each other.

Boys Roster:

As changes to athlete information occur, the roster will be updated. Please inform the OGA Secretary of any changes to your contact information.

Team Folders:

Each family has a folder where all hard copies of information are placed. Athletes should check their folders at least twice a week.

Bulletin Board:

Our bulletin board is located in the lobby at the bottom of the stairs. We will post all meet scores and sign up sheets on this board. It is a good idea to check this at least once a week.

Email:

Email is the primary way that we communicate with team parents. It is a good idea to check your email on a daily basis. We will always send an email regarding changes in schedule, help needed, and many other important happenings. Make sure your email information is given to the team secretary or you will miss a lot of important info.

Parent Expectations

Each parent is responsible for reading and meeting all the expectations in the OGA Team Handbook. In addition, parents are required to do the following:

Volunteer Hours

All parents are required to meet the 20 hours a year volunteer requirement. If a parent has a child in more than one competitive program then they must perform the higher of the two requirements. Hours will be monitored by the Boys team President. If the requirements are not met, then a fee will be charged to that family.

Meets

At least one parent from each family is responsible to help either set up before or tear down after each OGA meet.

¨ At least one parent from each family is required to help in some way during an OGA meet.

¨ All time goes towards your OGA-mandated volunteer hours.

Conferences

¨ All athletes and parents should sign up for Coach Conferences when the sign up sheet is posted on the coach's office door. An email is sent out letting parent know when the conferences will be held.

Boys Booster Club Meeting

Although attending booster club meetings is not a requirement, it is highly recommended. Many questions are answered and decisions are made at these meetings.

Booster club meetings also count toward your OGA-mandated volunteer hours.

Boys Team Booster Club Positions

President - Act as liaison for team between OGA and team parents. Attend monthly OGA Board Meeting, coordinate and chair monthly Booster Meeting, work closely with OGA Director and other Team Presidents.

Treasurer - Maintain accurate records of Boy's Team Booster Club funds. Report to OGA Director on a monthly basis, and writes checks accordingly. Some examples include meet fees, USAG fees, team banners, etc.

Treasurer reports to Boys Booster Club at monthly meetings.

Secretary - Attend all Boy's Team booster club meetings and record the meeting minutes. Distribution of meeting minutes via hardcopy or email. Maintain and update the team roster.

Meet Coordinator(s) - Coordinate local meets, including athlete registration and set up, ordering awards, coordinating judges. Assure volunteer positions are filled for each meet. Report as needed to President and at monthly Boy's Booster Club Meetings.