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Children strut their gymnastics talents
Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
Up and coming gymnasts showed their talents at High Prairie Elementary March 16 with somersaults, routines on the uneven bars and the “Lollipop” dance among others.
It was the High Prairie Gymnastics Association’s opportunity to showcase what their students learned during the winter session and president Laura Daley is pleased.
“I would like to thank our gymnasts for coming tonight and showing the skills they have learned. I hope you have enjoyed your lessons,” says Daley.
The event opened with stretching exercises, followed by a march in with each class and the Kinder Gym class performed a welcoming song. Then the classes demonstrated their skills and abilities on the floor mats and the apparatuses.
Each child in Kinder Gym received a certificate of participation and a badge, while the CANGYM members received certificates of participation for completing the winter session.
A big part of training is boosting the child’s self confidence and encouragement, says Daley, especially when getting them to perform in front of an audience.
“We cheer them all the time and based on what I’ve seen, they’re flourishing in that environment,” says Daley. “That’s the place to boost their self-confidence.”
The association had 52 children enrolled in 2009-10, compared to approximately 36 in 2008-09. Daley expects enrolment to increase next year. There’s a waiting list for the Kinder Gym class and the association may offer additional classes if enrolment increases.
A spring session is being offered from March 23 to June 1. Daley says the program normally ends in March, but there has been a request to extend the program.
Their next event will be the Doetzel Invitational, May 15-16 in Fort St. John, B.C. They will also go to the North Peace Gymnastics Club in Peace River to try the rock climbing wall and other apparatuses.
Of course, it would not be possible to offer the Kinder Gym and CANGYM programs without volunteers and the coaches. Daley commends vice-president Penny Johansson, treasurer Melanie Masson and secretary Denise Vink for their work. She also commends junior coaches Nikka Johansson, Josie Beamish and Sara Sebo, head coach Joanne Wilson, Kinder Gym coach Sheila Cowell and coach Vicki Calhoon.
The association bought new uniforms for 2009-10, which families rent for the year for meets and other events. Using gaming funds, they spent a lot of money for modern equipment, including a Flexi-Roll floor system and a Tumbl Trak, which allows increased repetition of tumbling and gymnastic skills and decreases stress on body parts. Rings and a climbing rope will arrive in April and they will also get a slide/rock wall climbing unit for Kinder Gym.
For more information about the association or to register, please call Daley at 780-523-3979.
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Kinder Gym coach Sheila Cowell and Jennifer Gray, 3, celebrate the moment with smiles.
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Rhys MacIntosh, 8, is pleased she was able to reach the upper bar after some initial hesitation.
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Laura Daley applauds Korven Herr, 4, who wanted to do a flip on the mat. He’s in Kinder Gym.
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Head coach Joanne Wilson assists five-year-old Zachary Willier on the uneven bars.
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Junior coach Josie Beamish works with six-year-old Bjork Vink-Halldorson on the balance beam.
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