Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Advanced gymnasts
These gymnasts have the opportunity to take part in external competitions such as the West Midlands Regional Novice Championships, Calvert Events and the Birmingham Invitational.
Apparatus
Vault – requires speed and power
Gymnasts start by learning how to run fast and how to jump on a springboard. The first vault is learning to stretch jump off a springboard and then onto a block and progresses to squatting through.
The more advanced vaults are done on the vaulting table and start with a handspring and can progress through to half turn on full turn off, passing through a handstand.
Bars – requires strength and control
Gymnasts begin by practising chin-ups and leg lifts to build their strength. This leads on to learning how to mount the bar and perform the basic moves on the low bar, such as upward circle, back hip circle and casts.
Gymnasts progress to jumping from the low bar to the high bar which leads to performing a full bar routine. Advanced moves include float upstarts, casts and clear hip circles.
Beam – requires balance and poise
Gymnasts begin by practising moves on padded floor beams, this includes jumps and balances and progresses to spins, cartwheels and walkovers.
With confidence, a gymnast moves to do these moves on the high beam. Advanced skills include split leaps, flics and even somersaults.
Floor – requires grace, suppleness and stamina
Gymnasts begin by learning the shapes required for gymnastics and spend a lot of time practising and perfecting the basic skills.
Early skills include forward and backward rolls, handstands and cartwheels and lead to more advanced moves such as round off flics, tuck back somersaults and even full twists.
Air track
This piece of equipment allows the gymnast to learn the advanced skills more easily and safely and for the younger gymnasts, it helps with building confidence in jumping.
Gymnasts will usually begin with jumps and progress to round-offs, flics and somersaults.
Sprung Floor
This apparatus allows the gymnast to perform their floor routines with somersaults.
Enrolling
If you are interested in your child having a taster session please get in touch with us providing the following details:
- Your child’s full name
- Your child’s date of birth
- Your mobile number
We have a limited number of places and your child may be placed on a short waiting list initially.
Our coaches
Mark Simpson – Women's Artistic Level 3 Coach & Club Finance Officer
Mark was Head Coach for another local club for several years before setting up Rebound in 1996.
Mark is a Club Judge (ex-National Judge). He enjoys coaching tumbling and bars. He brings a lot of fun to his coaching and enjoys the challenge of helping gymnasts achieve the more difficult skills.
Erin Simpson – Women's Artistic Level 3 Coach & Club Manager
Erin is a qualified Level 3 Club Coach (Women's Artistic) and is responsible for the club's administration. She holds a First Aid Certificate and is also trained in Youth Mental Health.
Erin works with the advanced groups and coaching is her passion. Erin loves seeing children grow in confidence and self-esteem through gymnastics.
Georgia Townsend - Women's Artistic Level 2 Coach
Georgia qualified in May 2022 and only stopped training as she turned 18. Georgia is responsible for one of the advanced groups in the club which includes preparing them for competition and using her motivational skills to help the gymnasts achieve their goals. She also assists with the young development group and brings lots of enthusiasm to her coaching.
Abi Steele – Women's Artistic Level 2 Coach
Abi joined Rebound when she was 5 years old and loved her time as a gymnast. She started coaching when she was around 14 years old and now coaches twice a week. Abi is responsible for one of our advanced groups and uses her own experience to help the gymnasts achieve their skills. Abi has a lovely rapport with all the gymnasts she coaches regardless of their level within the club.
Hayley Sawyer – Women's Artistic Level 2 Coach
Hayley joined Rebound when she was 5 after her family moved from the USA. Hayley competed at regional level competitions but her passion today is dance and cheer leading. Hayley has a flair for creating floor routines for our advanced gymnasts and is always coming up with new preps for the gymnasts to try. Hayley works closely with Mark and the senior advanced groups.
Lucy Billson – Women's Artistic Level 2 Coach
Lucy is enthusiastic about her coaching and loves being part of the Rebound Team. She works with all levels and ages across the club. Lucy has a special talent for bringing out the best in any gymnast and is adored by all. Lucy is currently travelling in Australia.
Alison Buchanan – Women's Artistic Level 1 Coach
Alison joined Rebound as a young competitive gymnast and enjoyed success at regional competitions. Alison is a very loyal and dedicated member of Rebound. Although she is not a regular coach now, she steps in when we need extra cover.
Michele Buchanan – Women's Artistic Level 2 Coach
Michele is an ex-gymnast previously training at City of Birmingham Gymnastics Club. She previously worked with one of our advanced groups alongside her sister Alison and although she does not coach regularly, she steps in to provide cover when needed. Michele is also a Club Judge and regularly judges for the club at both internal and external competitions.
Zoe Cotterill, Holly Woolmore, Lola Jones, Scarlett Jones, Ellie Reilly, Holly Percival and Shan Koo
These coaches have all achieved their Level 1 coaching award and are a huge asset to the Club with their enthusiasm and loyalty. Each of them started off as a gymnast with the club and after many years enjoying their gymnastics have now progressed to coaching and sharing their experience.
Trainee coaches
The trainee coaches usually have either been or are still gymnasts with the club. The club is very fortunate to have a wonderful group of trainee coaches who have a huge amount of personal experience and enthusiasm to bring to their coaching.
The Club has an established training programme and funds coaching courses which can be taken from the age of 16 years.
We have several trainee coaches at the club including Olivia, Sam and Rosie who are currently working towards their Level 1 Coaching award as well as the following gymnasts who coach as well as continuing their training - Lucy, Vivienne, Lois, Maddy, Alesia and Paige. In addition, we have a couple of trainee coaches who are either ex-gymnasts or friends of the club including Evie, James, Elliot and Evie.. The club also provides opportunities for members to complete volunteer experience as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Awards and we currently have 3 gymnasts doing this - Sophia, Matilda and Maya.
Club Uniform
The club uniform is supplied by LittleStars
Club uniform is available directly from www.littlestarsleotards.co.uk
Please contact the club for details of how to order - a club password is required.
There are leotards for our novice gymnasts together club hoodies, t-shirts, shorts and gym bags. There is also a squad training leotard for our advanced gymnasts (as seen in the photo).