Competitive Squads
Eastern Suburbs Gymnastics Club has a Competitive Programme for Women’s Artistic Gymnastics.
Our Competitive Programme comprises of two different pathways catering for gymnasts in pre-competitive through to high performance international gymnasts.
At ESGC, we have a strong competitive programme with coaches dedicated to providing an environment that fosters gymnasts passion for gymnastics and enables each gymnast to reach their full potential.
Selection into the Competitive Programme is by Invitation only.
If a child shows potential or talent and they appear to have the appropriate mental and physical attributes to be a competitive gymnast, they may be offered a place in our Competitive STEPS or Levels Programmes.
Competitive Programme Pathway
Competitive Levels Squad
ESGC’s Competitive Levels Programme has a strong focus on skill development with a programme that allows gymnasts to have more flexibility around their skills and routines.
Gymnasts in this programme have more autonomy over which skills they want to do and have more flexibility in the routine requirements which allows them to cater their gymnastics to their strengths. Training hours are also a lot more flexible than in STEPS which is ideal for those who love competing, but also enjoy a variety of extra-curricular activities.
Levels athletes will compete at GFA competitions, including the opportunity to compete at competitions outside of Auckland, and an all new GFA Nationals Event being introduced in 2022.
Holiday Training
Sessions are 1.5 hours long @ a cost of $10.00 per hour.
It is not compulsory to attend all sessions but it is advised to complete some sessions to attain routines.
Levels athletes are expected to compete at up to 5 competitions throughout the year.
Competitive Level squad gymnasts must compete in the Club Levels Leotard which can be purchased from the office. Shorts are optional. ESGC Tracksuits are also compulsory and can be hired or purchased from the office.
Competitive Levels gymnasts are strongly encouraged to attend Holiday Trainings to keep up their strength, fitness and flexibility.
Competitive Level Squad gymnasts must compete in the ESGC Levels Squad leotard which can be purchased from the office and can be viewed below.
Tracksuits are also compulsory and can be purchased from the office.
Competitive STEPS Squad
Selection into the STEPS squad is by invitation only. If a child enrolled in General Gymnastics or Playgym squads shows significant potential or talent, and they appear to have the appropriate mental and physical attributes to be a Competitive gymnast, they may be offered a place in the Competitive STEPS squad.
Gymnasts invited into the ESGC Competitive STEP squad train and compete under the internationally-recognised Women’s Artistic Gymnastics programme which involves a combination of acrobatics, strength and power across 4 different apparatus: Uneven Bars, Vault, Beam and Floor. GymSport NZ has developed the STEP programme that encourages gymnasts to Strive Towards Excellence in Performance with progression through thresholdsz. There are 10 Steps from beginner to international level gymnastics.
Selection into the Novice squad is by invitation only. If a child enrolled in General Gymnastics shows potential or talent, and they appear to have the appropriate mental and physical attributes to be a competitive gymnast, they may be offered a place in the Novice squad.
Competitive gymnastics requires a strong commitment from the gymnast and their family. Regular and longer hours of training, the cost of training and Auckland wide competitions, as well as parental involvement in the club, are prerequisites for a successful Novice gymnast.
Novice Division gymnasts must attend training twice a week for 1.5-2 hours per session. Training times are determined by the child’s level.
Competitive gymnasts in STEP 0-2 are required to attend 2 training sessions per week, and generally gymnasts in Step 3 and above will be training three of more times per week. As gymnasts progress through the STEPS, their attendance and commitment level increases accordingly.
Competitive gymnastics requires a significant commitment from the gymnast and their family. Regular hours of training, the cost of training and NZ wide and potential for international competitions, as well as parental involvement in the club, are prerequisites for a successful competitive gymnast.
Competitive Gymnasts from STEP 2 up are expected to attend upwards of 4 competitions per year with majority in Auckland but travel to other regions is also compulsory. Step 5-10 Gymnasts are eligible to compete at National Competitions.
Competitive STEP Squad gymnasts must compete in the ESGC Competitive STEP Squad leotard which can be purchased from the office.
Tracksuits are also compulsory and can be purchased from the office.
The ESGC Competitive STEP Squad uniforms can be viewed below.
Step’s 1 – 4
Step’s 5 – 6
