NORTH STARS TEAM RULES

 Please read these rules carefully, it is important that you understand them.  They may seem overly strict to you, but they are necessary if we are to continue to have successful competitive teams.

 A team member: 

1. Must telephone (after 4:00 p.m.) if she is going to be absent because of illness or a special school function.  Other reasons for absences are not acceptable except by special permission AHEAD OF TIME.
2. May not workout at any other place under other instruction and may not compete for anyone else, except by special permission.
3. May not compete in any other sport while a member of our team, except by special permission.
4. Will attend all practices.  Injured team members, who are able to walk and are out of pain, must come to each workout.  Always report all injuries including suspected injuries to the coach.  North Stars has a sport medicine physician available to the gymnasts.  Warning:  All sports, including gymnastics, carry a risk of serious, permanent injury.  By allowing your child to participate in gymnastics, you accept the risk of possible injury.
5. Is expected to participate in our training for 12 months a year.  Please try to schedule vacations during the weeks we are closed.
6. Will pay tuition on time.  Team fees are billed on the 1^st of each month.  We only accept credit card (kept on file and billed monthly) or bank check which must be received prior to the 1^st of each month.  A late fee of 10% will be added to your bill if credit cards are declined or checks are not received in time.  If a check is returned for insufficient funds a $25.00 returned check fee will be billed.
7. Will not attend Summer Gymnastics Camp.  Camps are strictly prohibited with the exception of the JOGA team.

 Please remember this is a business and like any business, must be run accordingly.

 FROM THE COACHES

Parent Role – unconditional love, encouragement and support.  Parents perform their role at home outside the gym area.  Within the gym area, the coaches perform theirs.  Please do not coach you child.  Your comments detracts from what the coach is doing and interferes with the development of the coach/athlete relationship which is critical for long term success.  Parents are not permitted in the gym or upstairs during training time unless for a meeting or a prearranged viewing of workout.

 Conferences – We have conferences at the end of the competition season but if you need one earlier we will be happy to accommodate you.

 If you need to speak with the coach, Tony or Paula, please arrange a meeting through the office.

 Gymnastics is a very complex sport.  Even after 30 years of involvement, I’m still learning.  Parents often become disgruntled at competitions or at various times throughout the year.  If this is the case, we prefer that you meet with us rather than allowing the problem to multiply.  Chronic troublemakers, complainers in the waiting room, at meets, etc., will be asked to leave our program.

 Private Lessons – Extra work should be initiated by the coach in charge of the group.  If the child asks you for extra time because she feels behind, then share this with the coach and he/she can make the call.  Privates should not replace day in and day out effort.

 NORTH STARS GUIDELINES FOR FAMILY SAFETY AND BEHAVIOR AT MEET 

1. Parents need to get their gymnast to the meet on time, which means leaving early enough in case of getting “lost”.  Have the phone number of the club that you are traveling to with you in the car.
2. Parents are not allowed on the competitive floor during warm-up, competition or awards.  Parents must only speak to their child’s coach concerning any questions about the meet.  Parents are not to approach the meet director, judges, or other coaches, score keepers, timers, etc.  Parents need to say good-bye to their gymnast for the duration of the meet.
3. Gymnasts must be dressed, with hair up with matching color ponytail, matching color briefs, etc. (no nail polish) PRIOR to the start of warm-up.  Do not wait until the last minute to address these issues.
4. Parents need to respect the meet facility and its furnishings.  This includes no eating or drinking in the gym (eat only in designated areas), throw trash out, etc.  You and your child represent North Stars.  Please maintain good order and discipline with any other children you may bring to the meet.  This is for the safety of the competitors as well as all spectators.  Long meets (sometimes 5 hours) make control of children difficult.  Please use your judgment prior to bringing a young child to a meet.
5. Send a healthy meal and healthy snacks to the meet with your child.  The gymnasts will probably be in the gym during mealtime.
6. ABSOLUTELY, NEVER, EVER take flash pictures during practice, warm-ups OR competition.  This is a major safety issue.
7. Please support your children NO MATTER WHAT!  If you child falls and does not make the State Meet, please hug your child and tell her “I love you and I am very proud of you”.  Focus on something the child did well in the meet.  The fact your child is good enough to compete in the meet is a tremendous accomplishment that should never be forgotten.
8. Say something positive about other competitors.  NEVER criticize another gymnast or club.  You never know who is sitting next to you, or in the bathroom overhearing you.  Please do not hold up signs that block other spectators.
9. Respect all competitors!  Please applaud (not scream) when a gymnast does something really GREAT!  Screaming is dangerous to other competitors, and you do not want a loud screaming outburst as your child is attempting a difficult skill.

NUTRITION

 Gymnasts must learn at a young age that eating well is a critical ingredient to success and longevity in gymnastics.  If the girls are too light it is possible they may not be getting enough fuel to have energy and gain necessary strength.  If they are too heavy they would be at risk for injury or poor performance.

 Most of all you need to offer them a well balanced diet and use common sense with snacks and deserts.

 DURING WORKOUT 

Water or a simple carbohydrate sports drink (should be watered down 1/3 water due to too much sugar) is okay.  Fruit, bagel, sports bar are acceptable.  NO crumb producing foods please.