Updated 18th February 2008

TECHNICAL MEMBERSHIP - NATIONAL UPDATING POLICY
Gymnastics Australia in conjunction with its Member Associations are responsible for the managing the "technical membership" of over 3500 accredited coaches and judges. In order to re-accredit each year, all technical members are required to complete "updating".

The number of updating points required for re-accreditation is determined by a technical member's level of accreditation. The higher the level of accreditation, the greater the number of updating "points" required.

Each year Gymnastics Australia publishes a National Updating Policy. This policy aims to answer questions from technical members about what activities can be counted towards updating.

Please click here to download your copy of the National Updating Policy.

Gymnastics Australia is pleased to have re-accredited over 2200 technical members since December 2007. We look forward to processing your 2008 technical membership shortly.

ASSET PROTECT - ARE YOUR CLUB'S ASSETS APPROPRIATELY INSURED?
Gymnastics Australia in conjunction with its Member Associations have worked with the sport's insurance broker (JLT Sport) to arrange a great new service to affiliated gymnastics clubs called Asset Protect.

In summary, Asset Protect allows affiliated clubs to receive a quote on costs to insure their club based assets (ie gymnastics equipment, plant and machinery,etc).

As the Asset Protect program is being rolled out to all clubs/associations that form part of JLT Sport's current sport clients (ie - AFL, Cricket Australia, Netball Australia), it means that great premium savings can be made as a large volume of clubs are increasing the insurance buying power.

Gymnastics Australia strongly encourages all clubs to view the Asset protect web site and further investigate this free service. In fact, Gymnastics Australia put its own general property insurance to the Asset Protect test and was pleasantly suprised with a $2000 premium saving.

Please click here to read the Asset Protect flyer

Please click here to visit the Asset Protect web site
Note: The on-line quote facility is presently not available.

Alternatively you can call JLT Sport directly on 1300 655 684.

MEN'S ARTISTIC - 2008 PACIFIC ALLIANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM
Following the completion of the MAG Pacific Alliance Senior Selection Trial held on the 12th February 2008, the MAG Selection Committee is pleased to announce the 2008 Pacific Alliance Championships MAG Team:-

Sam Simpson (QAS)
Philippe Rizzo (AIS)
Josh Jefferis (AIS)
Luke Wadsworth (VIC HPC)
Mathew Curtis (QAS)
Jack Rickards (NSWIS)
Sam Offord (SASI) - Senior Reserve
Prashanth Sellathurai (NSWIS) - Senior Reserve
Sean O'Hara (SASI) - Junior Reserve

Vladimir Vatkin (Head Coach)
Sergei Chinkar (Coach)
Greg Corsiglia (Coach)
Brian Wade (Judge)
Tony Hilton (Judge)

Congratulations to the athletes, coaches and judges

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS - PACIFIC ALLIANCE SELECTION TRIAL
The 2008 Pacific Alliance RG Selection Trial will be held on Sunday 24th February at the Victorian High Performance Centre in Prahran. A total of 25 senior and junior gymnasts have entered to compete in the trial. The trial will commence at 10.30am and should conclude around 4.00pm. Entry is free for spectators.

GENERAL GYMNASTICS - NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2007 GG NATIONAL AWARDS
Nominations are called for the 2007 General Gymnastics Awards, including Kindergym and Cheerleading. Award categories include Coach of the Year in each program as well as Volunteer of the Year and the prestigious Lance Otto Award. Please download the award criteria and nomination form

Nominations are due back to GA by the 17th March.

GENERAL GYMNASTICS - INVITATION FOR AN ACROBATICS DISPLAY TEAM
Gymnastics Australia has been invited to send an Acrobatic Gymnastics Display team to perform at the Osaka Festival from the 16 - 21 October 2008. Teams will be responsible for their airfares and any extra costs, however the festival organisers will cover participation fees, transport, meals and accommodation for the duration of the Festival. The team will be required to perform at least two different routines on an unmatted surface.

Teams should have a strong history of acrobatics and display performance and be good ambassadors for Australia and gymnastics. Preference will go to teams who have participated in the Aussie Gymfest or FIG Oceania Gala.

For further information on the tour, please contact Petrina Hutchinson phutchinson@gymnastics.org.au. Interested teams should apply via email by the 22nd February.

CHEERLEADING - CHEER SPACE
Hear it first, read it on "CHEER Space." The cheerleading newsletter keeping Australian Cheerleading teams connected.

Inside this issue:

From the National SMC
Around the Nation
2008 Competition Rules
National Touring Cheerleading Camps
Club Spotlight "Skyraiders"
Coaching Hints
Fundraising Tips
A Teambuilding Activity to Try
The Cheer Shop
Where Can I Purchase Uniforms?

Please click here

SPORT AEROBICS - 2009 - 2012 PLANNING MEETING
A Sport Aerobics planning meeting was held in Melbourne at the GA office last weekend with all National SMC members in attendance. The committee completed the draft of the priorities and tasks for 6 key focus areas. It was a productive 2 day meeting with all SMC members contributing to the plan.

SPORTS MEDICINE AUSTRALIA - BEAT THE HEAT
Sporting organisations know that vigorous exercise places some people at risk of heat illness, especially in hot weather.

If untreated, heat illness can lead to the more serious and potentially life-threatening condition of heat stroke. But by understanding the causes of heat illness sports event organisers, coaches, players and anyone involved in sport can help prevent heat illness.

Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) provides advice and guidelines for sporting organisations to help them protect their participants against heat illness. Using the advice provided in the fact sheet helps to minimise the risks.

On Monday, 4th February SMA's updated Beat the Heat - playing and exercising safely in hot weather fact sheet, was launched by the Hon Kate Ellis MP, the Federal Minister for Sport, and Michael Wright, the South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing.

Most of the advice involves simple rules of common sense. Listen to your body and stop or slow down if you feel unwell. This is particularly important for children. Make sure that you have access to cool drinking water, wear a good hat and take particular care in the hottest parts of the day or year.

The target audience for the fact Sheet are all Australians who undertake sport and physical activity, but they will be particularly useful to sports administrators, coaches and fitness leaders.

The fact sheet can be viewed on the SMA website by clicking on this link

GYMNASTICS SA ENTERS THE ADELAIDE FRINGE
After the success of two Cirque de Gymnastique shows in Perth, Gymnastics SA is excited to be entering the performance arena with their own show.

Gymnastics SA in conjunction with Zig Zag Circus will present “Cirque de Gymnastique” – Circus of Gymnastics. The Circus performances will include juggling, stilt Walking, acrobatics and aerial routines. The gymnasts add to this exciting event with tumbling, trampolining, German Wheel, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Sport Aerobics and Cheerleading, covering all the facets of the sport gymnastics.

Cirque de Gymnastique performances will excite the audience, young and old with their grace and expertise.

One Day only: Saturday March 15th
3pm, 5pm & 8pm @ Marion Fitness and Leisure Centre.

Tickets can be purchased from Gymnastics SA 08 9294 8288 or FringeTX 1300 Fringe (374 643)

SEE THE WORLD'S FASTEST, THE WORLD CHAMPION IN MELBOURNE
Asafa Powell, world 100m record holder and Jeremy Wariner, 2007 world 400m champion know where they want to be on February 21.

So should you.

The duo will take to the track with Australia's best on a night loaded with scintillating track and field action.

Melbourne Olympic Park will host an array of Australian and international stars including our own Craig Mottram, Jana Rawlinson and Steve Hooker in the lead-up to the biggest event on the world sporting calendar: Beijing 2008.

The action will explode from 7.30pm as the IAAF World Athletics Tour Melbourne gets underway.

In a special offer for members, general admission tickets are just $10.00 adults (normally $16.90) and $5.00 concession (normally $7.90). Book online via the special link, phone Ticketek and quote promo code rawlinson07 or go to any Ticketek agency or the gate and present your membership card.

Further information is available at athletics.com.au, Australia's No. 1 track and field website.

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ARCHIVED NEWS
2008
Week ending 17th February 2008
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Gymnastics Australia acknowledges the ongoing financial support of the Australian Sports Commission
in the delivery of a "whole of sport" approach to gymnastic related services and benefits.