Is Tooting Gymnastics a British Gymnastics (BG) Registered Club?
Yes. As a member of British Gymnastics our club is recognised as a safe, effective, and child-friendly club, providing a service in the community that children and young people, their parents/carers, and others with a passion for Gymnastics can trust.
What is the BG/joining membership fee for?
This annual fee (October – September) includes membership to BG and is primarily the Gymnasts Insurance, without which they are not permitted to take part in the sport.
What classes do you run and when?
Monday
Tots: 3 – 5yrs @ 4.15pm – 5.00pm
Rec 1: 6 – 8 yrs @ 5.00pm – 6.00pm
AR1: 6 – 8yrs @ 5.00pm – 6.30pm
Rec 2: 9 – 11yrs @ 6.00pm – 7.15pm
AR2: 8yrs+ @ 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Rec 3: 12yrs+@ 6.00pm – 7.45pm
Thursday
Tots: 3 – 5yrs @ 4.15pm – 5.00pm
Rec 1: 6 – 8 yrs @ 5.00pm – 6.00pm
AR1: 6 – 8yrs @ 5.00pm – 6.30pm
Friday
Tots: 3 – 5yrs @ 4.15pm – 5.00pm
Rec 1: 6 – 8 yrs @ 5.00pm – 6.00pm
AR1: 6 – 8yrs @ 5.00pm – 6.30pm
Rec 2: 9 – 11yrs @ 6.00pm – 7.15pm
AR2: 8yrs+ @ 6.00pm – 7.15pm
Rec 3: 12yrs+ @ 6.00pm – 7.15pm
Currently our Parent & Toddler classes are not running.
What do I wear?
We would encourage all girl gymnasts to wear leotards and boy gymnasts to wear shorts and t-shirts. Gymnasts do not wear socks or trainers, all activities are performed in bare feet.
Where do I get a Club Leotard/Club T-Shirt from and how much do they cost?
Girls: Club leotards are available in the following sizes: 26-32 (£21.00) 34 – 38 (£24.00)
Girls: Shorts are available in the following sizes: 26-32 (£15.00) 34 – 38 (£18.00)
Boys: Club leotards are available in the following sizes: 26-32 (£21.00) 34 – 44 (£25.00)
T-shirts cost £8.50 each and are available in the following sizes:
3-4yrs, 5-6yrs, 7-8yrs, 9-11yrs & 12-13yrs, 14-15yrs
To purchase leotards, shorts or club t-shirts please send an email to “members@tootinggymclub.co.uk” stating what you require and what age clothing your child normally wears so we can ensure you have the correct size for your child. We will reply back with how much to pay and how to pay. Once payment has been received, we aim to have the uniform ready for collection for the following session.
Do I need to give any medical information?
Yes, it is very important that a “Gymnast Registration & Medical Form” is completed and returned the first week of joining the club. This enables us to be aware of any potential illnesses or disabilities before teaching the gymnasts.
How do you group the children into smaller groups?
Tots
Each child is grouped according to how old they are and how long they have been attending. On average there is between 4 – 6 groups of 8 children.
Rec 1, 2 and 3
Gymnasts are grouped according to their age, ability, how long they have been attending, what badge they are working towards and, if possible, friendship groups. We do, however, sometimes get it wrong so please let us know.
Do you hold any special events throughout the year?
We hold a display every other year, where ALL GYMNASTS take part and their parents, family and friends are invited to come along and watch. Please note since the COVID pandemic we haven’t yet done one! Once a year we hold both an intra-club Floor & Vault Competition (Rec 1 & 2) and a Team Apparatus Competition. We also take part in inter-club competitions (Advanced Rec 2 only). In December we also have Christmas Parties for the gymnasts.
Do I have to inform you if my child is not able to attend a session/class?
If your child is sick or unable to attend the class for whatever reason, we do appreciate you letting us know either by sending a text message (07719 965 406) or an email to members@tootinggymclub.co.uk. If your child has a vomiting and diarrhoea bug, please keep them at home until they are fully recovered.
Can my child travel home alone or meet a parent/carer in the car park?
Yes, however, they must be of Secondary School age. We require written consent from the parent/carers in advance, please send this to: members@tootinggymclub.co.uk
What happens if my child does not have their Asthma inhaler with them?
Any gymnast that is prescribed an inhaler MUST bring it with them to EVERY gym session. If you are the parent/carer of a “Tots Gymnast”, then you will be responsible for their inhaler. All other gymnasts will be asked to leave their inhaler, with their name on it, at the Admin Desk and it will be given back to them at the end of the session. If your child does not have their inhaler with them, and you are not able to get it in time for their session, then unfortunately and for the health, safety and wellbeing of your child, they will not be able to take part in the session.
Are there any badges or award schemes?
Tots progress is continually monitored and assessed. The “Captain Stretch Gymnastics” Badges and Certificates are awarded based on their attendance and their ability to practice and perform a set of skills on the bars, beam, vault and floor. The badges are themed and are given out at the end of every half term. The skills the gymnasts practice are listed on the reverse of the certificate. An email will be sent to you providing details of the badge passed, how to pay for it and when you will receive it. FYI: Tots who go into the Tots Transition group when they are 5yrs old work towards the TGC Levels 1 – 3.
Rec 1, 2, 3, Advanced Rec 1 & Advanced Rec 2 work towards the “Tooting Gymnastics Club Awards” Levels 1 – 12 and Advanced Levels 1 – 3. The Levels and skills are based on the British Gymnastics Proficiency Awards and Advanced Awards. When a gymnast passes a badge, they are given a “I passed my badge” sticker and an email will be sent to you giving details of the badge passed, how to pay for it and when they will receive it. We also, use the British Gymnastics Rise programme.
Can we watch the lessons?
As a British Gymnastics registered club, we have an “open door” policy. The viewing area is restricted in size and is primarily for those parents whose young children need to be able to see them for reassurance. In our experience children can be easily distracted if their parents/carers are continually watching them, therefore we would actively encourage you not to watch every week, however, we do have a “Parent Watching” week. Parent Watching Week is either the third, fourth or fifth week of each half term, and dates are posted on the website, and we will send an email inviting you to come and watch the progress of your child. Please note: Filming or the taking of photos is not permitted during Parent Watching Week, this is for Safeguarding purposes, also, whilst parent feedback is encouraged, parents are asked to discuss any issues at the beginning or end of the class and not during the sessions. Therefore, please do not interrupt the lessons; interruptions are off-putting and unsafe for coaches and gymnasts. Alternatively, feedback can be sent via email to members@tootinggymclub.co.uk
Can I leave the leisure centre and go off and do something else?
Parents/carers of children in the Tots class (3 – 5yrs) and Rec 1 class (6 – 8yrs) are required to stay on the premises and within the sports hall in the parent waiting and seating area. You must be available should your child need you, especially if they need the toilet. It is the Health & Safety Policy of the Leisure Centre that all children under the age of 9yrs must be accompanied by their parent/carer or a responsible adult when going to the toilet. Please note, Tooting Gymnastics Club does not have the workforce available to help with this.
Now we have joined the club, do we have to re-enrol each term?
Once you are enrolled as a member of our Club you have priority over the waiting list. If you have paid for a Full Term (discounted rate) a re-enrolment email will be sent to you in the second half of the term.
If you have paid for half a term, an email will be sent to you during the end of the half term, also providing details of the next re-enrolment period, how much the fees are and how and when to pay. To guarantee and secure your place, fees must be received within the payment period. If however you are experiencing financial difficulties or have cash flow issues, a £10.00 non-refundable deposit can be made to hold your place, with the remaining fees to be paid before the end of the current term or at a mutually agreeable time. Please note: if the remaining course fees are not received within the agreed payment period, and no communication has been had, then your place is no longer held for you and will be offered to the waiting list. Please note we do not take card payments, only bank transfer or cash with prior arrangement.
WORKFORCE – Coaches
All our coaches are British Gymnastics qualified, they are DBS checked and have attended Safeguarding Courses and are First Aid trained. Our current coaching team are Ayoola Seeley, Izzie Scott, Mary Wright, Nitya Sharma, Paula Trinder, Paul Rogers, Tahirah Aidoo, and Thomas Malpass.
Gymnastics Helpers
All our current helpers are ex-gymnasts who have gained a British Gymnastics Accreditation to help coach: Aaminah Abbasi, Alexandra Giddings, Cassia Consagra, Dorota Piatek, Georgia Wilkinson, Haziqat Akitoye, Isla Young, Lucy Doris and Vyniha Velu.
Volunteer Trainee Coaches
We run our own coaching programme in conjunction with British Gymnastics and have numerous ex-gymnasts returning to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Admin Team
Our admin team is very small and are recruited from within the club community. The Admin Team is headed up by Stephanie Maybury (Admin Manager) and supported by Raia Mayor (Accounts and Admin Officer).
Coaching/Volunteering opportunities
We are always on the lookout for new and enthusiastic coaches or volunteers, so, if you are interested in coaching or volunteering, then please send us an email to members@tootinggymclub.co.uk, we can support you through your coaching journey in conjunction with British Gymnastics.
Thank you for taking the time to read the above information and we hope you have found it useful. More importantly, thank you in advance for ensuring your child is aware of our Club Safety Rules and our Code of Conduct.
Your support is very much appreciated.
The Team at Tooting Gymnastics Club hope you enjoy your time at our Club