General State Structure and Events
Region 3 Age Groups and Qualifying Information
J.O. National Age Groups and Qualifying Information
General
Membership
National Rules and Policies
Region 3 Rules and Policies
Registration – Receiving Information
Chain of Command
Election
Duties
State Bookkeeper
Election and
Responsibilities
State Committees/Positions
Executive Committee
Games Committee
G.A.T.
Liaisons
Secretary
Web
Master
State Meeting/Clinics
Summer
Coaches Business Meeting
State Clinic – G.A.T. Clinic
Future Stars Clinic
Hosting Competitions in
State Meets
Invitational Meets
Applications
Rules and Guidelines
Meet Taxes
Sanction Reports
Officials
Athlete Age Rules
|
Level |
Age Groups |
Team Age Groups |
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|
4 |
6 |
7 |
8-9 |
10+ |
6-7 |
8-9 |
10+ |
|
|
5 |
7-8 |
9 |
10-11 |
12+ |
7-8 |
9 |
10-11 |
12+ |
|
6 |
8-9 |
10-11 |
12-13 |
14+ |
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
10-11 |
12-13 |
14+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
13-15 |
16-18 |
|
|
13-15 |
16-18 |
|
|
|
9 |
12-13 |
|
|
|
12-13 |
|
|
|
|
10 |
14-15 |
16-18 |
|
|
14-15 |
16-18 |
|
|
|
Elite |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State Meet Entry
Fee: $50 No Team
Fee! Qualifying
Requirements: Gymnasts must
compete in at least one sanctioned meet in the age group and level they
desire to compete at the State Meet. Age
Requirements: A gymnast must
compete as of his age on September 1.
He may jump up one year (from his September 1st age) only
if he is going to change levels. A
gymnast may not age jump within the same level. |
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Region 3 Recognized Age Groups and Qualifying Scores
|
Level |
Age Group |
Team Age
Group |
Qualifying
Scores |
||||
|
6 |
8-9 |
10-11 |
12-13 |
8-9 |
10-11 |
12-13 |
47.00 |
|
7 |
10-11 |
12-13 |
|
10-11 |
12-13 |
|
47.00 |
|
8 |
13-15 |
16-18 |
|
13-15 |
16-18 |
|
32.00 |
|
9 |
12-13 |
|
|
12-13 |
|
|
32.00 |
|
10 |
14-15 |
16-18 |
|
14-15 |
16-18 |
|
32.00 |
|
Elite |
16+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Entry Fee: $75 No Team
Fees! Entries/Forms: All entry fees and forms for the
Regional Meet are due to the State Chairman at the conclusion of the State
Meet. Qualifying Requirements: The qualifying score must be obtained at the State Championships. Gymnasts must qualify in the same level and age group that they compete at the Regional Championships. |
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Junior Olympic National Meet Age Groups
|
Level |
Age |
Qualifying |
|
9 |
12-13 |
TBA |
|
10 Jr. |
14-15 |
TBA |
|
10 Sr. |
16-18 |
TBA |
General Information
Membership
To participate at any USA-Gymnastics sanctioned event or meeting a coach must have a men’s professional membership and a current safety certification. Applications for membership and instructions for taking the national safety certification course can be found online at www.usa-gymnastics.org. All gymnasts must be registered with the USA-G to participate at any sanctioned event.
National Rules and
Policies
USA-Gymnastics is the governing organization for our sport and follows the National Men’s Rules and Policies document. This document can be downloaded from the USA-Gymnastics website. It is the responsibility of every coach to be familiar with and abide by these policies.
Region 3 Rules and Policies
The states are divided into 9 regions and
Registration and
Receiving Information
In order to receive important State and Regional information
all clubs must be registered with the State Chairman. Club registration is obtained and updated
each year from State Meet entry forms and the Texas Summer Coaches Business
Meeting. New
clubs must fill out a registration form and send it to the State Chairman. A directory containing information on
current
Chain of Command
within the Gymnastic Community
Like any business, the Gymnastic community has a chain of command. This chain starts with the gymnast and his parents and ends with the Men’s Program Director. It is important that coaches capture their spot in this chain and become a liaison for their parents and athletes. All too often, coaches are bowing out and allowing parents to take their concerns and problems directly to the top. As coaches, we must accept our professionalism and become a mouth piece for the parents and gymnasts in their time of need. At no time should parents be allowed to approach the judging community. The proper chain of command is as follows: Gymnast/ParentàPersonal CoachàMeet Director/Judge/State ChairmanàRegional DirectoràMen’s Assistant National Program DirectoràMen’s National Program Director. Please help make our sport more professional.
Election
The State Chairman shall serve a two-year term and will be
elected every odd year. There is no
limit to the number of consecutive terms they may serve. To be eligible a person must be a
professional member, safety certified and reside in the state of
Duties of the State
Chairman (In addition to the National R&P)
1. Maintain an updated list of all gymnasts and clubs in the state.
2. Maintain an open line of communication between their office and both the Regional and National offices. The State Chairman shall actively gather information regarding men’s gymnastics in their state throughout the year.
3. Conduct the USA–Gymnastics State Meet and insure that all official rules and regulations are met. Provide meet results to the Regional Chairman and regional meet director and financial reports to the National Office.
4. Conduct the annual State Clinic. The Texas State Clinic will coincide with the Gymnastic Association of Texas convention. Coordinate with the GAT organization to schedule lecturers and clinicians. The specific content of the clinic shall correspond with the gymnastic priorities in the state.
5. Identify, list, and submit all men’s award candidates to the GAT liaison.
6. Decide state matters in concurrence with the Regional Director. Develop policies and procedures governing activities and events in the state.
7. Plan and conduct the Summer Coaches Business Meeting.
8. Appoint committees to assist in the state.
9. Attend the Regional Championships and the State Chairman’s Regional Meeting.
10. Relay Regional and National Information to USAG professional members.
11. Approve and submit petitions to the Regional Championships.
12. Maintain an open line of communication with the local judging association.
13. Organize and conduct the Future Stars Program.
14. Open and maintain a state USAG bank account.
15. Handle all of the State account finances with the help of the State Bookkeeper.
16. Attend the National Congress.
17. Elect a secretary to keep minute’s at all official meetings.
18. Update and maintain the Texas Rules and Policies document.
19. Post and update the State competition calendar.
20.
Keep the
21. Be a board member of the Sims Scholarship Fund. Collect the state Sims tax and make donation to Sims Scholarship Fund.
State Bookkeeper
Elections/Requirements
The State Bookekeeper must be a
member of the USAG men’s program; safety certified and reside
in the state of
The State Bookkeeper will serve a two-year term and be elected by secret ballot after the election of the State Chairman at the summer coach’s business meeting. The procedures for electing the State Chairman will be used when electing the State Bookkeeper.
State Bookkeepers Duties
Balance the checkbook and send up-dated balance to the State Chairman.
Cross-reference deposits and withdraws with sanctioned events and reports.
Prepare a detailed report to be submitted at the summer coach’s business meeting.
Prepare a yearly folder to include: all bank statements, receipts, and year-end report.
State Chairman Duties as they relate to the State Bookkeeper
Through the job of the bookkeeper, it is the State Chairman’s job to provide a yearly financial report of the State’s bank activity. Concise record must be kept and made available to include: monthly bank statements, deposit and withdraw statements, copies of sanctioned meet forms, receipts for purchased goods, travel vouchers, and check ledger. The yearly report will be made at the summer business meeting or the GAT convention.
State Committees/Positions
The State Chairman will form committees and positions to help in the operation of state activities. The State Chairman will make all appointments/removals with the input of the Executive Committee.
Executive Committee
The executive committee will assist the State Chairman in all matters pertaining to the state. They must maintain good communication with other clubs in their respective areas and regularly communicate with the State Chairman. They must attend two state meetings, one at the GAT convention and the other at the Summer Coaches Business Meeting. The state committee members must be actively involved in all aspects of state affairs. Presently there are 3 executive member positions.
State Games Committee
It is the task of the State Games
Committee to help make recommendations for possible changes in rules and
policies pertaining to the State Meets.
The group will report directly to the State Chairman and Executive
Committee. They will be required to
attend two meetings, one at the GAT convention and the next at the Summer
Coaches Business Meeting. The committee will be made up of the State Meet Directors for
the current State Meets and will begin and end with the Coaches Summer Business
Meeting.
GAT Liaisons
Special Awards Liaison
It is the duty of the special awards liaison to compile the list of eligible gymnasts from the men’s program for the GAT awards. It is their responsibility to contact the proper GAT award representatives for award procedure and protocol.
Convention Clinic Recruiter
The GAT Clinic Recruiter will find speakers for the men’s portion of the GAT convention and or the State Clinic. At this time the GAT convention serves as the State Clinic. It is their responsibility to pool members of the state to find topics of interest and value for the men’s gymnastic community and then find the speakers to meet those needs. They must provide a list of candidates for approval from the State Chairman, contact the appropriate GAT representatives for proper procedure and protocol and make all necessary contacts and travel arrangements with the speakers.
Secretary
The job of Secretary is to maintain a written record at all meetings and events in the state. In addition, they must keep the club address list, the Texas Rules and Policies and all meeting minutes updated for circulation on the website. They must have a clear working knowledge of all the activities and functions of the men’s gymnastics program in the state.
Webmaster
The Webmaster is responsible for maintaining the website. It is their job to keep the website updated and running.
Summer Coaches Business Meeting
Purpose
The purpose of the Summer Coaches Business Meeting is to discuss and vote on all matters pertaining to the state for the upcoming year. It is highly recommended all clubs be represented at this meeting.
Date and Site
The meeting will take place every year in June, preferably the week prior to or after Father’s Day. The meeting will be scheduled for a Saturday at a site determined by the State Chairman. Information on the meeting will be placed at the website. Advance information will be made available by the last State Meet of the year.
Cost
A fee will be assessed to help cover meeting expenses, meals, printing, and clinician fees (if necessary). If a coach is present for the business meeting only they do not have to pay this fee.
Quorum / Rules of Order
Attendance to this meeting must reach 30% of the represented clubs from the largest of the past State Meets. If a quorum is not reached no voting should take place.
Roberts Rules of Order will be used to govern the proceedings.
Agenda
The business agenda to be acted upon at this meeting will include:
Election of State Chairman and Bookkeeper
Appointments of positions by State Chairman
State, Regional and National Reports
High School Report
Judging Reports and Updates
Sims Report and Update
State Calendar of events to include: Invitational dates, State Meet dates, Clinics
GAT updates
State Meet Sites
Texas Rules and Policies updates/changes
Financial Report
New business
Voting Issues not pertaining to selection of State Meets
To be eligible to vote a coach must be a current men’s professional member with a current safety certification. Voting can be accomplished by a show of hands or by secret ballot. A simple majority is all that is necessary for all voting issues. No proxy votes will be allowed, a coach must be present to vote.
Voting for State Meets
The voting procedures for
selection of the
State Meets are the same as other voting issues with the following exception: Only one vote per USA-Gymnastic club will be
given and that club must have competed athletes at one of the last State Meets
or is planning on competing athletes at the next State Meet.
State Clinics – GAT Convention
The State Clinic will be hosted in conjunction with the Gymnastic Association of Texas convention. The State Chairman and a GAT liaison will assist the GAT officials with securing lecturers for topics important to the men’s gymnastic community. We strongly encourage all men’s professional members to fully support and attend this function. Information on the GAT convention can be found at www.gatx.org.
Future Stars Competition
Future Stars program information can be found at the USAG website. At this time, state Future Star testing will be held in conjunction with the regional Future Star testing and will be run by the Regional Chairman. Specific regional information can be found at the Region 3 website.
Hosting Competitions
in
All coaches interested in bidding on and hosting one of the Texas State Meets must read, understand and follow all the rules outlined in Section 2 and Section 3 of the Texas Men’s Rules and Policies.
Applications
To host a gymnastic meet in
Rules and Guidelines
Meet directors must be knowledgeable and follow all rules pertaining to running men’s competitions using the National Men’s Rules and Policies and the Texas Men’s Rules and Policies as a guide.
In many areas including matters of
entry fee, awards, and competition format an invitational can charge what they
want, award how they want and run the meet to best fit their needs. In addition, with the exception of the
athlete age requirement rules (6 year old rule, Sept. 1st rule) age
groups can also be modified. It is
strongly suggested that meets run in
Equipment specifications and matting requirements as outlined in the National R&P can not be changed.
Meet Taxes
State Tax – The USA Gymnastic organization has empowered all states
to charge a $1.00 per athlete meet tax to help cover state operating costs. Beginning in 1989 this tax has been assessed
to all sanctioned men’s competitions with the exception of Regional and
National competitions. Entry fees that
are refunded are not subject to the tax.
Meet taxes must be postmarked within 7 days of the meet or are subject
to a $50 late fee. Clubs that do not pay
their taxes or late fees will not be allowed to send their athletes to the
Texas State Meet. Checks should be made
out to: “
Sims Tax – The Sims Scholarship Foundation was created in 1988 to
serve two purposes. First, to honor Mike
Sims, an outstanding
National Gymnastics Foundation Tax
In August of 1999, the Junior Olympic Program Committee (JOPC) mandated that a one dollar head tax, for each participant at any men’s sanctioned event where a fee is charged, be collected and sent to the National Gymnastics Foundation in order to aide in the funding of the Men’s Scholastic Scholarship Program. These funds are required to be returned with the USA Gymnastics Sanction Report Form within 24 hours of the sanctioned competition or event to the USAG National Office.
Sanction Reports / Meet Results
A completed copy of the meet sanction must be mailed to the State Chairman, Regional Chairman and National office within 48 hours of the meet.
Meet results must also be mailed to the State Chairman within 48 hours of the meet. Failure to send the sanction or meet results will incur a $50 late fee.
Officials
Judges must be secured through the Texas Gymnastics Judges Association assigning director. An application for officials must be filled out and sent to the assigning director with a $20 fee made out to: “TGJA”. The application can be found at the TGJA website: www.thsgca.org/tgja.
Athlete Age Requirement
For all aspects of the men’s program, a gymnast’s age is determined as of September 1st of each year. He may move up one year of that age only if he is moving up a level. A gymnast may not age jump within the same level.
Gymnasts under the age of 6 will not be allowed to participate in the Junior Olympic Competition Program under any circumstances. The athlete must turn 6 years of age before he may begin competition.
The only exception to the September
1st rule is a boy that is 5 on September 1st and turns
6 after that date but prior to the State Meet.
As soon as that boy reaches his 6th birthday he becomes
eligible for competition. In