Team Family Handbook 2010-11

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eam Family Handbook

2010-

2011

Parents Guide to Gymfinity Team Progra

2010-2011


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Welcome to Gymfinity Gymnastics, Tumble and Trampoline, Motion EvolutionFitness, GymCRAZIum and G Force: Collectively referred to as Gymfinity. Your

familys sports experiences will soon make some exciting changes. Our athletes, atGymfinity, are recognized for their skill, spirit and integrity. They are consistently seenas leaders in school and on the competition floor.

This packet has been complied to acquaint you with the Gymfinity team structure,explain the necessary rules and answer some of the more commonly asked questionsregarding the move to team. Please retain these pages for future reference, and

updates will be provided annually for your review and acceptance. This handbook hasbeen organized in a FAQ format for ease of reading. Please feel free to contact J

Orkowski if there is anything in this book that is unclear or disagreeable. This book isintended to establish an understanding of the team operation. You will be asked at theend to sign a statement that avows your agreement with the principles and operation

listed in this book. Please do not sign it if you do not understand it. From this pointon, there will be no I didnt know because, after reading this handbook, it will beassumed that you did know. Lets get started.

PHILOSOPHY

What is the philosophy of Gymfinity?What is the philosophy of Gymfinity?What is the philosophy of Gymfinity?What is the philosophy of Gymfinity?Our program is first and foremost for the participant athlete. Nothing is more important thanthe development of the individual: physically, mentally and emotionally.

We place high value on learning a new skill and more value on learning how to learn a newskill. Competitive athletes learn how to set a goal, to plan, to persevere, and to accomplish. Thetrue value is in learning that one can fail, try again and again and again and finally, accomplishones goal. We believe that the winning is in the development of the child throughparticipation rather than accumulation or 1st place awards. Gymfinitys team programphilosophy is quite simple: Quality sport training the well rounded athlete in an enjoyable, safeenvironment.

What is Gymfinitys Mission Statement?What is Gymfinitys Mission Statement?What is Gymfinitys Mission Statement?What is Gymfinitys Mission Statement?

Our business mission is in our tag line: Teaching Kids To Reach New Heights. We strive toassist children in raising their own personal bar beyond what they perceive they can do.Our purpose is to provide a structured program that promotes progression of physical, mentaland emotional attributes in children. Our goal is to be the hub of competitive Gymnastics andTumbling in all of Dane county, and to provide an opportunity for children to have fun whiledeveloping the character traits of Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring andCitizenship as well as enhancing their fitness level.


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Gymfinity is a Gold Medal Childrens Activity Center,Gymfinity is a Gold Medal Childrens Activity Center,Gymfinity is a Gold Medal Childrens Activity Center,Gymfinity is a Gold Medal Childrens Activity Center,what does that mean?what does that mean?what does that mean?what does that mean?

A Gold Medal youth sports program is child centered, and directed at the social, emotional,intellectual, moral and physical development of each participating youngster in a positive andsafe atmosphere. It means that we have been recognized by CharacterCounts! A national

character education organization. We have pledged to maintain a program that enhancescharacter and lives up to the criteria of CharacterCounts!. For his work with Gymnastics clubsand implementing character reinforcement in sports, J Orkowski, Gymfinitys owner, has been

named to the National Advisory Leadership Council for Gold Medal Childrens Activity Centers.

Is my child at the right level for their age?Is my child at the right level for their age?Is my child at the right level for their age?Is my child at the right level for their age?Because kids have more fun when they have a reasonable chance at success, our programshave policies that assure balanced teams and opportunities for athletes to compete with othersat comparable skill levels. Age is a secondary determiner for placement of a child in this

program.

Is being on teamIs being on teamIs being on teamIs being on team herehereherehere all about winning?all about winning?all about winning?all about winning?We tend to focus on personal effort, improvement and personal mastery of skills over winning.Though we do encourage the passionate pursuit of victory, we unequivocally believe that actualresults are not as important as effort and the joy of competition. We believe that winning is anatural by-product of hard work , dedicated effort and the love of learning. (see also Gymfinitysdefinition of success, under the setting Goals section).

CHARACTER COUNTS!

How does the Character Counts! Program fit intoHow does the Character Counts! Program fit intoHow does the Character Counts! Program fit intoHow does the Character Counts! Program fit intoGymfinity?Gymfinity?Gymfinity?Gymfinity?CharacterCounts! Is a national character education program that Gymfinity abides by. It is aprogram that attempts to give a common language to good behavior and helps young athletesunderstand that in sports, like life, it is essential to maintain high personal values and morals.The program is a-political, and secular. It is founded on children modeling the 6 Pillars ofCharacter:

Trustworthiness:Always pursue victory with honorDemonstrate and demand scrupulous integrityObserve and enforce the letter of the rulesDont compromise education and character development goalsDont engage in or tolerate dishonesty, cheating or dishonorable conductRespect:Treat the traditions of the sport and other participants with respect


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Dont engage in or tolerate disrespectful conduct including verbal abuse of opponents andofficials, profane or belligerent trash talk, taunting or unseemly celebrations

Win with grace and lose with dignityResponsibility:Be a positive role model in the gym, on the competition floor and in daily lifeFurther the mental, moral and social development of teammatesMaintain competence, follow all rules and live up to reasonable expectationsFairness:Adhere to high standards of fair playTreat everyone, even other teams, fairlyNever take unfair advantageBe open-mindedCaring:Remember that sportsmanship and learning are always more important that winningCitizenship:Promote sportsmanship by honoring rules and goals of the programFollow the code of conduct and expect the code to be followed by your teammates, your

coach and your familyDo not use or encourage drugs or alcoholDemand compliance with the laws of sport and the law in terms of behavior, gambling and

drug use

Is there a code of conduct for the athletes?Is there a code of conduct for the athletes?Is there a code of conduct for the athletes?Is there a code of conduct for the athletes?Aside from what is listed in this document, the code of conduct for athletes and parents can besummarized with;Attitudes and work ethics should reflect the 6 pillars of CharacterAttend all training sessions, any absences must be reported in writing prior to the date.Be Prompt: athletes should be on time, or call to let the coach know that they will be lateAttend all scheduled competitions and performancesMaintain a positive, forward focused attitude: be spirited and supportive with your

teammates, members of other Gymfinity programs, coaches and ALL familiesKeep the gym clean: no food in the gym, no drinks except water, no gum or candy at any

time.Respect Authority: challenging the authority of the coaches or a person placed in charge will

be grounds for dismissal from the teamRespect your Team: Any abusive or negative comments, through any media (spoken, written

E Mailed or posted) will be grounds for disciplinary action or removal from the teamAlways Think Safety First:Jeopardizing the safety of ones self or others will be grounds for

disciplinary action

Be supportive of all teams and members:negative gossip will not be tolerated. W are ALL onthe GYMFINITY team.

Respect your family:give the proper respect for those who are making it possible for you toparticipate.

Communication is essential: be courteous when speaking with others, be sure that allconcerns are brought to the right people and not spread as gossip or ill will.


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Is there a code of conduct for the coaches?Is there a code of conduct for the coaches?Is there a code of conduct for the coaches?Is there a code of conduct for the coaches?All coaches must follow the same standards that we place on the families of the participants.They must reflect the 6 pillars of Character, the code stated above and in addition:Must not bad mouth other teams, coaches, programs, officials or athletes at competitionsMust appear in professional attire at competitions and performances, when their appearance

is a direct reflection of the respect they have for the athletes, the families and Gymfinity.Must maintain high standards of being a role model for the athletes. Never speak about

drinking, partying, relationships, politics or religion in front of the athletes.Must understand that all parents are part of the team and treat them with the same respect

they wish to have returned.Must be honest regarding parent concerns and questions. Sometimes messages are lost

when they are delivered by trying to be too polite. A coach must be straight forward, yettactful and respectful of anothers feelings.

As Gymfinity has a wide variety of ages on teams,As Gymfinity has a wide variety of ages on teams,As Gymfinity has a wide variety of ages on teams,As Gymfinity has a wide variety of ages on teams, isisisis

ththththere a team drug/alcohol policy?ere a team drug/alcohol policy?ere a team drug/alcohol policy?ere a team drug/alcohol policy?Any athlete or coach found to have violated any law regarding the use of alcohol and/or drugswill be immediately removed from the team program. There will be no refund of tuition for timelost once removed. Athletes may not re-apply to be part of Gymfinitys team program, but canparticipate in a non-competitive program.

COMMITTING TO THE TEAM PROGRAM

I heard the coach talking about commitment,I heard the coach talking about commitment,I heard the coach talking about commitment,I heard the coach talking about commitment, WhatWhatWhatWhatexactly are we committing to?exactly are we committing to?exactly are we committing to?exactly are we committing to?

At Gymfinity we ask that the athlete and family commit to the team program for a period of oneyear. The best time to retire, if there is a best time, is immediately following the competitiveseason. This at least fulfills the athletes obligation to their team. Gymnastics and Tumbling areunique activities that as the athlete progress, the time requirement is greater and the level ofdifficulty or risk is elevated. The demands of progress are what require greater time, so as toensure safe and efficient learning.

Is Gymfinity committed to usIs Gymfinity committed to usIs Gymfinity committed to usIs Gymfinity committed to us in return?in return?in return?in return?Gymfinity is willing to provide a top-notch competitive team program subject to the well beingof its athletes, the rules and regulations of its governing bodies, and the financial viability of the

program. The Gymfinity facility is designed to provide safe and efficient training for top levelcompetitive team programs. We do our best to ensure each athlete a quality experience. TheGymfinity team target teaching ratio is 10 to 1. We do not guarantee that ratio as at timesgroups may be larger or smaller due to various factors. As an organization we do not have totalcontrol over all of the variables of attendance, personal schedules or schedule conflicts.


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noticeable as we get closer to championship season. There are phases of skill development androutine preparation, pre-competition and competition. Each training cycle operates overlappingthe others and the transitions from one to another are often seamless.

What types ofWhat types ofWhat types ofWhat types of things are noted on anthings are noted on anthings are noted on anthings are noted on an athletesathletesathletesathletes annualannualannualannualschedule?schedule?schedule?schedule?Micro/Macro cycles are based on a desire to peak the athletes for their culminating competition.For TnT and Optional gymnastics that would be Nationals. For compulsory gymnasts that wouldbe State Championship.We also have an annualized schedule for various events. For example:Optional Gymnastics Team :

August Uniforms ordered, other accessories ordered (bags, warm-ups, grips etc.)September Music selectionOctober ChoreographyNovember Have all routines with full skillsJanuary - Begin competition

March State ChampionshipApril (early)- Regional ChampionshipsApril (late) or May National Championships

Our actual training cycles have more detail and are broken down more by the calendar. Morethan you wanted to know, right?

ORGANIZED COMPETITIONS

Are there rules for competitions? Who sets them?Are there rules for competitions? Who sets them?Are there rules for competitions? Who sets them?Are there rules for competitions? Who sets them?There are several governing bodies for each discipline.Gymnastics has USA-Gymnastics (USA-G), US Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs(USAIGC), Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) among others. Gymfinity competes under USA-G.TnT is governed by USA-G, AAU and USTA, the US Trampoline Association. Gymfinity operatesunder the USTA policies and competition rules and schedule.There are standard policies and procedures for each body, and it often gets confusing. Restassured that your coaches know all the policies and will train the athletes within the frameworkof the rules provided.The codes of conduct for athletes, coaches and parents are determined and enforced by

Gymfinity and fall within the standards set by any governing body.

Are our kids required to go to competitions?Are our kids required to go to competitions?Are our kids required to go to competitions?Are our kids required to go to competitions?Yes. If they are on team we are training them to compete. There may be some competitionsthat a specific athlete may not be able to attend but for the most part, we want all of the teamkids participating in every competitive opportunity.

In Gymnastics; we would like every gymnast to go to a minimum of 5 meets per season. If


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State, Regional or National championships are qualified to the gymnast and family will have theoption to attend or decline.

For TnT; All team members must compete in a minimum of 4 meets per season, not includingState or Nationals. Beginners have the option to not attend Nationals, but we stronglyencourage all other levels to attend the National championship

SETTING GOALS

Why is goal setting important to athletes?Why is goal setting important to athletes?Why is goal setting important to athletes?Why is goal setting important to athletes?Goal setting is a means by which the skills of intrinsic motivation are developed. Each athlete isasked, and guided as needed, to develop a set of long term and short term goals. Short termgoals are designed to progress toward and achieve long term goals. In order for an athlete tobe internally motivated it must be a personal goal. The hallmark of good goal setting is that the

goals must be those of the athlete and not the parent or coach. A goal that is achieved through

hard work brings a reward of satisfaction and pride. Healthy self esteem is a natural by-productof this process.If an attainable goal is not achieved it should never be seen as a failure. Gymfinity believes thatgoals are sign posts that give us direction, they are not destinations. Therefore, the journey andthe movement forward is as valuable as the goal itself.

Another important factor in developing intrinsic motivation is the athlete's need to feel in controlof his/her athletic career. The athlete needs to understand that his/her own effort is thedetermining factor for success. If an athlete reaches a goal it should be pointed out andcelebrated that the achievement was due to hard work and not something out of the athletescontrol, like luck. Conversely, if the goal is not reached, we may need to modify or re-direct ourefforts. As coaches, when we see that an athlete is not working efficiently toward their goals welet them know that they have one of two options. They can either change their training habits

or modify their goals. This puts the athlete in control of the outcome and their own destiny andplaces the coach in the position of a cooperative facilitator.

I hear a lot about the kids developing goals forI hear a lot about the kids developing goals forI hear a lot about the kids developing goals forI hear a lot about the kids developing goals forthemselves, does the program have goals for the kidsthemselves, does the program have goals for the kidsthemselves, does the program have goals for the kidsthemselves, does the program have goals for the kidstoo?too?too?too?

Yes. Our goal is to teach, nurture, foster positive life skills, traits and attitudes including self-discipline and an appreciation for the value of hard work and preparation, self-confidence,responsibility, courage, perseverance, empathy and team work. Such values will help them lead

socially responsible and personally satisfying lives.Gymfinity and all of the programs at Gymfinity strive to promote physical fitness and thedevelopment of physical skills. A love of sports can yield a lifetime of participation in physicalactivity and a healthy lifestyle.


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friends; this is the true essence of sportsmanship. Sportsmanship is not only something that weencourage, its something we demand.

You should promote Gymfinity in every way you feel is appropriate: Tee-shirts, sweatshirts,banners and cheers. Never speak in a negative manner about another club, our club, ourcoaches, our athletes, or our families. If you have issues with any of the aforementioned groupsI hope that you understand that resolution is brought about only by taking it to the rightchannels. J or Stephanie have, in their positions, the power to resolve most conflicts.Understand that each coach is empowered to handle their own situations (to a certain extent).If you have a bad experience, please bring it to your coaches. Parents and athletes alike canbring questions or concerns to the coaches at anytime. Dissatisfaction is a personal matter, itshould not be spread to others who are not involved with it, except the coaches because theycan explain it or otherwise affect it somehow. Not only is this a spirit, or team unity issue, butcomplaints to meet officials at competitions can result in loss of sanction, a team deduction, orworse yet, a negative reputation. Violation of these positions do get reported by otherparents and parents from other gyms to us. We know who says what. Dontembarrass your son or daughter. Remember it is better for us to remove a constantcomplainer than it is to try to repeatedly try to appease them.

Understanding the culture of GymfinityUnderstanding the culture of GymfinityUnderstanding the culture of GymfinityUnderstanding the culture of GymfinityAt Gymfinity we strive to create a culture conducive to growth, a positive spirit and teamwork.At times things may seem oddly dictatorial, that may be true. Policies and procedures needenforcement. Sometimes rules are merely a framework that the organization operates withinother times they are unbending and unyielding. It is imperative that we maintain our culturefor the athletes, the parents, coaches and administrators. Consistency in these expectationsmakes it easier for us to reach our goals together.

Does Gymfinity have a parents booster club?Does Gymfinity have a parents booster club?Does Gymfinity have a parents booster club?Does Gymfinity have a parents booster club?Yes. The team parents organize and operate a non-profit booster program called Gymfinity andBeyond. This is, in effect, a holding account for each athlete family. Being non-profit allowsthe GnB to solicit funds from individuals and corporations to assist in the expenses of thecompetitive teams.There are basically 2 ways in which money is put into the accounts. First there is the option, asmentioned above, of fund-raised donations. Fund-raisers are done periodically to add to thataccount. The second way is if a team athletes parents make a personal donation to be usedfor their childs own account. Having this organization set up not only allows the capacity forfund-raising but adds ease of payment for meets, uniforms purchases and expenses associated

with being on team. Team tuition is NOTable to be paid by an individuals booster account.The club is divided into 2 disciplines; gymnastics, and tumble & trampoline. Each discipline is

responsible for their own fundraising and each is presided over by a vice president andsecretary, but the remaining board is made up of a bi-disciplinary president, Gym/TnTtreasurer, member-at-large and a representative of Gymfinity Ltd. All of the positions are 2 yearelected terms.

As with any other childrens based organization, Gymfinity Ltd. and Gymfinity and Beyondencourage positive parental support. Please ask the staff or the officers of the booster club


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what YOUcan do to help YOURchilds club. It is strongly encouraged for all athletes familiesto attend any booster club meetings as they will be trying to keep you informed regardingmatters involving your child. Meeting minutes, the club by-laws and this handbook are availableat the booster club website at http://www.gymfinityandbeyond.com

How does a parent fit into the team program?How does a parent fit into the team program?How does a parent fit into the team program?How does a parent fit into the team program?The decision to join the team is a big one and reflects a significant year-round familycommitment. The role of the team parent can be rather complex. Parents involvement in theirchilds team experience can vary greatly from family to family. How much a parent getsinvolved is an individual matter.There are, however, certain things parents should do to help ensure that their childs teamexperience is a positive one.First and foremost, be a primary source of support and encouragement. Let your child knowthat your love and support are unconditional. Your approval and encouragement should not bebased on performance. This is a critical point. In sports, progress is a continuous series of gainsand losses. It can be an emotional roller coaster. Your reassuring and stabilizing influence is

vital to your childs emotional success.We look to the parents to provide us with an athlete who is prepared for training andcompetition. We tell the children that they are like high performance race cars; they need fuelbefore and after a race, they need well maintained parts and regular maintenance. For theathlete this means a light meal before a workout and a light meal after. It means a diet thatprovides all of the food groups in the proper amounts. It means being sure they get enoughsleep, and they get enough social time with friends and family. It means evaluating all of thisperiodically. It is near impossible for us to reach skill and performance goals with an athletethat doesnt have the raw materials with which to build upon.

How do I know whats personally expected of me, theHow do I know whats personally expected of me, theHow do I know whats personally expected of me, theHow do I know whats personally expected of me, theparent?parent?parent?parent?We hope that through this book and any team parent meetings that we provide an explicitguide for parents to help us develop their children into healthy teens and adults. We expectconstructive attitudes so that the sports experience benefits the child athlete. However, let meoffer these cautionary words about sources of problems, including:1.Making unreasonable demands on the program, the coaches or the athletes2.Developing unrealistic and unfounded expectations concerning your childs athletic future

including championships, awards and scholarships3.Over-estimating the childs skill or talent resulting in unreasonable demands as mentioned in

item #14. Verbal or physical abuse or intimidation of administrators, coaches, officials, athletes,

spectators or other parents5.Standing contrary to the coaching of the children. There may be times when you have

questions regarding the coach, or the coaching process and we encourage that you askquestions at the appropriate times. However, undermining the coach or the program, orcounteracting any instruction or training is counterproductive to growth and happiness

6.Misinforming, misrepresenting or misleading the coaches or administrators in their efforts totrain your child

These behaviors will not be tolerated and are counter to the culture previously mentioned.


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Failure to demonstrate positive traits will result in dismissal from the team program and/orGymfinity entirely.

Can I judge my childs progress by comparing to similarCan I judge my childs progress by comparing to similarCan I judge my childs progress by comparing to similarCan I judge my childs progress by comparing to similar

kids in thekids in thekids in thekids in the program?Parents should attempt to reinforce what the coaches are trying to accomplish in the gym. Thisincludes proper goal setting, learning responsibility, developing a strong work ethic, having apositive attitude and good sportsmanship. Parents can help their children understand that theyare unique individuals and that their rate of progress in the sport will be different from others.Help your child focus on their personal goals and not to make negative comparisons. Gymnastswill progress at different rates and at different levels. This reality can be very difficult mentallyand emotionally. Slower progressing athletes may feel that they are not progressing at all orthat they should be doing better. It can also be stressful on a faster progressing athlete, theysometimes develop a fear of success or feel as they are an object of resentment. We try toencourage our athletes to focus on the personal progress rather than getting caught up in thecomparison trap. We take steps to ground the athletes when we see signs or symptoms of this

problem arising. Parents should help to reinforce these ideas and principles, not doing so willhave a defined negative effect on their childs progress, and their love of what they are doing.It will also stress the relationship between the parent and the child. I know, not you, not yourfamily. Youredifferent. But based on my 30+ years of experience with families I cannot recall atime when it hasnt gone just the way I said.

It seems that my child is behind, what can IIt seems that my child is behind, what can IIt seems that my child is behind, what can IIt seems that my child is behind, what can I do?do?do?do?First read the paragraph abovetwice. If you still have questions, understand that the speed oflearning does not necessarily mean that the learning is better. It is not uncommon for athletesthat have done well in the beginning levels to be passed by others in the advanced levels. This

can be attributed to many complicated factors and their interplay. Talent, motivation, fear offailure, family dynamics, stress or even fear of success (if I do well, Ill have to do more difficult

stuff and spend more time etc.), and other factors all have parts to play. This can be verydifficult for the child/athlete to understand, so we need to keep reinforcing the fact thatprogress must be measured individually. Unfair comparisons will be very detrimental. Asmentioned earlier, parents have a very important part to play in preparing for and dealing withthese realities. The reality of it is: that progress in sport is usually on an incline-plateau-inclinemodel. It is not uncommon to see a decline after a prolonged plateau phase before the inclineis re-attained. This is normal. It is usually during the plateau or decline that children give upand withdraw. But, if they can weather the low times, it makes the high times that much moreenjoyable.Parents could also seek out private lessons for their child if they feel the athlete needs extra

attention. Most coaches do private lessons and charge a variable rate. Lessons usually last 1hour or less (we discourage longer than 1 hour private lessons) and the athlete has one on onetime with the coach. It is the parents obligation to set this up. Private lessons are not offeredregularly and the times and fees need to be arranged with the individual coach. All privatelesson fees for the coaches are set by the coaches themselves. Gymfinity charges a rate of $15per hour and $3 per athlete attending. All other payments are the business of the coach andparent. Private lessons are a privilege for the athlete since it extends beyond the normal scopeof regular training in the program.


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know that many coaches do not go to awards because of the limited timebetween sessions, and we are no different. What we have done though, is togo to them whenever we possibly can, and speak to them about behavior asoften as possible. I, personally, am not above going up to the front wherethe girls are sitting and reprimand them for talking during this time. I have

done this before. 4. All athletes should stay until the last award is handedout. This one is exactly the same as not leaving the competition area beforethe last competitor. We need to make sure our gymnasts know that whatthey want is not more important than what all of the other girls at the meetwant. They are all there for similar reasons, and no one is better thananyone else as people, or more important. 5. Athletes on the award standshould congratulate the athletes on each side of them. This is somethingthat we just started requiring of our athletes, and I feel like it is so valuable.It really makes the girls remember that they are not the only ones trying toachieve their goals. It opens their eyes to the feelings and realities of othergirls, and I cant think of many things that I would rather have them learn6. Our job is to teach them the things that are okay to react to and thethings that are not, and what to do next. This takes things from a reactivestate to a pro-active state. Now, we are going to do something about thenegative situation, or remember what we did to accomplish the positive andrepeat it. A great example of this right time and wrong time scenario iswhen an athlete is not doing what they need to in the gym and then criesbecause they fail at the meet. We personally, try to use this as a teachingopportunity. We let them know two things - the first is the fact that theycan do something about this situation by changing their behavior in the gym

- the second is that they have not earned the right to crywhen they have

not done everything they can to keep this from happening. In other wordsthey contributed to this, and we tell them that it is like pouring water on

your own head and crying because you are getting wet. We use this time asan opportunity also to inform them that if they calm down, then the first timeis okay, but the second one is not. They are told that they will have to leavethe meet and go and sit with their parents. I have only had to send a girl outof a meet for this once in over 30 years. 7. Support and cheer for the otherteams in your rotation. This one is a lot like the awards stand, but even morepersonal. If we encourage our athletes to go and meet the girls in ourrotation and root for them, then they are not only learning empathy, butsocial skills as well. They are finding new friends that have similar

experiences, and maybe even friends that they will have contact with forseveral years.

I think that it is extremely important that we remember how valuable anopportunity we have with these children. What we are teaching in respect toskills and routines is important, but this only occupies about 1/7 to 1/5 of


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the athletes lives. We have to remember that the lessons they can learnfrom the sport can help them with the rest of their lives.

Are the kids responsible for getting information toAre the kids responsible for getting information toAre the kids responsible for getting information toAre the kids responsible for getting information to thethethethe

parents?parents?parents?parents?Each athlete family is given a mailbox (folder) at the gym. The mailbox should be regularlychecked by the kids. Exhibitions, special events, schedule changes, billing, receipt information,newsletters and competition information will be put in the boxes. Gymfinity IS NOTRESPONSIBLE for an athletes failure to deliver information home.Once a meet/competition is entered, that is to say, once we have sent the entry to thecompetition host, there is no option to withdraw without forfeiture of the entry funds.

Can we miss a practice the week of a competition?Can we miss a practice the week of a competition?Can we miss a practice the week of a competition?Can we miss a practice the week of a competition?No. Any team member missing a training session the week of a competition (for any reason)will not be allowed to attend the meet. There will be no return of the entry fee. This is not onlyfor reason of continuity of training but for the athletes safety as well. I am sure that you wantyour child to be safe. This is true of all teams and there are no exceptions.

Are competitions the only places where the team kidsAre competitions the only places where the team kidsAre competitions the only places where the team kidsAre competitions the only places where the team kidsperform?perform?perform?perform?Gymfinity is often in demand for exhibitions at schools, clubs, shopping centers, and civicevents. These are great experiences for the kids, as they can demonstrate how hard work hasbrought rewards. Team athletes will be asked from time to time to participate, this is notrequired but it is a valuable part of the team experience.

How long is a competition?How long is a competition?How long is a competition?How long is a competition?That depends: In TnT the kids compete in flights and can last a few hours. In gymnastics thecompetition usually lasts about 4 hours. Gymfinity families are REQUIRED to stay for entireaward ceremonies. This means that if your age group is finished, your flight is done or yourteam has received their appropriate recognition it is respectful to stay and cheer on others fromyour team and from other teams. We believe that good performance should be recognized andleaving before other get their reward is disrespectful and rude. It may mean you go to eat orleave for home a few minutes later, but a few minutes spent respecting another competitor arewell spent minutes. If for some reason an individual has to leave early we ask that you check

out with your coach and leave discreetly.

What if my child has to miss a practice?What if my child has to miss a practice?What if my child has to miss a practice?What if my child has to miss a practice?We believe that school and family come first, and inevitably a conflict will arise. For thesereasons we try to be understanding and not give the child a difficult time for occasionallymissing a practice. We also believe that you have chosen Gymfinity because of our excellent


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reputation and high level of quality training we administer. We will try to remain flexible but thetraining schedule is designed for maximum results in skill and team development. An athletemust attend the appropriate schedule for their level, inability to do so may result in delayedmobility to the next progressive step in competitive level or removal from a competition. Perfectattendance at scheduled workouts and gym functions is essential to ensure consistent training.If an athlete must leave early, or cannot attend a workout, THEYmust notify the gym by noteor by phone call. If an athlete knows of an absence ahead of time THEY should include thedate and a reason in a note. There are no scheduled make-ups for team programs out ofseason regardless of cause. The only excused absences are for an academic function, such as ameeting or event that is required for a grade, and these only during competitive season.Overloads of homework, sporting events or time with friends are not excusable absences. Inthe event of an academic related absence, one make-up is scheduled on an off scheduled night.Team athletes are never charged for Open Gym and if you feel that you are in need of moregym time to make up for absences we encourage you to use this option.On occasion, team workouts may be canceled due to events, holidays, rest days after a heavycompetition schedule etc. These practices will not always be made up. Sometimes a scheduledabsence may be in the best interest of the athlete and we will decide when that is. There is

never any tuition credit given for cancelled or missed practices.

What if we are going to be late?What if we are going to be late?What if we are going to be late?What if we are going to be late?Being habitually late is not understandable. We are here, prepared to begin every session. Weexpect that of our athletes too. If an athlete must be late, THEY(not the parent) should phone(extension #4 will ring the gym phone, to inform a coach, if no one answers the front desk, wesuggest repeatedly ringing extension #4 until someone picks up.) before their scheduledworkout time. If for some reason (school dismissal time, activities, etc.) the athlete will be lateon a certain day please inform the office or coaches in writing. We emphasize that the athlete,not the parent is expected to take responsibility for reporting absences and tardies. If for somereason (car trouble, traffic, etc.) the athlete is not able to call, the parent should come in andexplain to the coach the reason for being late. We are not only trying to develop responsibilityin our athletes by asking that it be them who inform us, but attempting to foster independence.We also expect it from our teams because it is disrespectful to not show up when someoneexpects you. Arent these traits you would like your child to develop too?

What if my child is injured and cannot perform theWhat if my child is injured and cannot perform theWhat if my child is injured and cannot perform theWhat if my child is injured and cannot perform thenecessary skills?necessary skills?necessary skills?necessary skills?Injured athletes are expected to continue to train the regular schedule, (stretching and strengthconditioning whatever is possible) while recovering. Tuition will not be reduced or discounted

for absences less than one month in duration regardless of the reason. If a child misses anypractice due to an injury, it is REQUIRED that we receive a doctors release that allows thatchild to again participate. Without it Gymfinity would be liable for exacerbation of an existinginjury or potentially introducing a new injury because the athlete is unable to perform tostandard. We do not have any medical training and are unable to diagnose any athletesrecovery.


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Is it OK to be in other sports at the same timeIs it OK to be in other sports at the same timeIs it OK to be in other sports at the same timeIs it OK to be in other sports at the same time they arethey arethey arethey areon the team at Gymfinity?on the team at Gymfinity?on the team at Gymfinity?on the team at Gymfinity?This is a complicated answer. With a different response for each discipline. (see the nextquestion/answer too). The less complicated answer is that we ask for a commitment of timeand focus. If that is not possible while participating in other activities then we would ask that

the family make a decision as to which activity takes priority. If the athlete cannot make thescheduled training sessions or makes them in-frequently then there is a conflict. Physiologically,psychologically and from the standpoint of safety the best course of action for an athlete is tonot spread their focus too thin. We know that we cannot restrict a child from participating inother activities. In earlier levels the cross over is usually not intrusive and doesnt appear to betoo detrimental; however, as an athlete moves up in levels, the demands on their attention andphysical bodies will increase. Again, knowing that we cannot demand that children do notparticipate in outside sports we can only strongly discourage it. As children spend more time,and energy outside of the gym they will have less to spend in the gym. It MUST be realized that

ALL expectations of the childs performance will be modified. Children spread thin will notprogress as well and are prone to more injuries. At levels of skill where poor or uncommittedperformance can cause injury, paralysis or even death, a parent MUST be comfortable knowingthat their child, spread thinner, will be at risk as well as be slowed in their development.

What if my child has a conflict with participating inWhat if my child has a conflict with participating inWhat if my child has a conflict with participating inWhat if my child has a conflict with participating inanother sport?another sport?another sport?another sport?For Gymnastics team; there is a defined level in which we ask the gymnasts to make adecision. It is felt that once a gymnast passes into optional levels (level 7,8,9 and 10) the timerequirement, the physical requirement and the need for focused participation is such that itbecomes unsafe to pursue higher levels while participating in outside sports. We cannot forbidparticipation in outside sports but want to make it clear that the luxury of questioning a childsprogress (why didnt she do better?) is eliminated. We cannot attribute any delayed orinconsistent training and progress to anything from the gym when outside factors are affectingthe athletes performance. Also, training a gymnast on difficult skills that require full physicalcommitment as well as attention and focus become riskier when the gymnasts energies andattention are diminished. Allowing and encouraging outside participation after the gymnastattains level 7 or up will diminish their performance and put them potentially at great risk. Evenwhen the coaches are made aware of the cross training, some factors cannot be controlled byanything other than removing the athlete from participation. This may be done if the coachnotices diminished focus or performance, but often these characteristics remain covert. Thecoach cannot be responsible for the safety of an athlete who attends under sub-standardpersonal conditions. This must be understood, for liabilities sake, and your signature at the end

of this document confirms your understanding and acceptance of this policy and removesliability for progress or safety in regard to sub-standard physical/mental state from Gymfinityand places it squarely on the shoulders of the parents.

For the TnT team, we actually encourage the athletes to participate in other sports. The TnTteam program was designed to allow for participation without an overwhelming commitment totime in the gym. It should be noted that at some point the athlete may wish to focus theirefforts in one area for reasons described above. At an advanced level more time will be

required to maintain and advance in their skills; athletes should consider reduction in outside


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activities to ensure a safe and focused training.

Why does it seWhy does it seWhy does it seWhy does it seem that Gymnastics is so muchem that Gymnastics is so muchem that Gymnastics is so muchem that Gymnastics is so much stricterstricterstricterstricter????We have found that gymnastics, as it approaches higher levels may require more devotion.Gymnasts at higher levels need a focus in training that can only be accomplished throughexclusivity. It is difficult and dangerous for a gymnast to work as hard as it takes to besuccessful. Gymnastics/tumbling are one of a few sports that require more time and greater riskas the athlete progresses. If a gymnast is training in other sports they lose the clarity of focusand may compromise the specific nature of musculature required for gymnastics. Neither ofthese two concerns would allow a positive outcome for the athlete. We cannot be expected toefficiently train a gymnast under these negative conditions.

What is goodWhat is goodWhat is goodWhat is good for Competition Day Nutrition?for Competition Day Nutrition?for Competition Day Nutrition?for Competition Day Nutrition?

I often get questions from parents on this topic so we decided to add it to thehandbook this year. The article here was written by Beth Kleiman anutritionist who works with USA-Gymnastics. These are suggestions forparents and are by no means rules for the team.

There are a lot of myths about when to eat and what to eat the night beforea competition and even the day of. We are going to talk about the day of,because inadequate nutrition can result in a decrease in energy, quicknessand even performance. With the length of some meets it is important tofollow these 4 steps and manipulate them as needed for what works with

your athlete.

Step 1; 3-4 hours before competition time should be mealtime. This shouldconsist of long lasting carbohydrate, lean protein, fruit or juice and evensome healthy fat. Remember the Plate Method; your plate should consist of2/3 Carbohydrates. These carbohydrates should come from fruit, vegetables,grains or juice. The other 1/3 of your plate should be lean protein such aschicken, lunchmeats, lean red meat, egg whites, fish, peanut butter or milk.Most of the lean proteins contain fat, which will help with long lastingenergy. We are aware that some competitions may be in the early morning;in which case a light meal should follow these rules and will substitute forSteps 1 and 2.

Step 2; 1-2 hours before the meet should be snack time. This will help top-

off your athletes fuel stores. The snack should be carbohydrate based,something easily digestible and something your child is familiar with.Examples may be fruit, granola bars, or crackers and juice.Step 3; During the meet, this will help keep your athletes energy level up.This can be done about half way through or in little bits, as your child needsit. This step consists of mainly carbohydrate, electrolytes and fluid to helpmaintain hydration and prevent fatigue. A good example of this is sipping on


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a sports drink or juice, having some crackers, granola bars, bagels, a little bitof fruit, or even a few bites from a sports bar.Step 4; After competition it is important to refuel. This will help in decreasingsoreness and recovery time. Immediately after the meet your athlete shouldhave a snack that consists of carbs and protein. Good examples may include;

granola bar with peanut butter on it, fruit, or chocolate milk. Always followup with a meal about an hour after the immediate recovery or within an hourand a half of the end of the meet.Remember that proper nutrition on the day of competition may help withenergy stores and performance, but on a regular basis can also workwonders. Stick with consistent meals that your athlete is comfortable eatingthe day of competition and that you know wont upset their stomach.

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

How is tuition calculated for my family?How is tuition calculated for my family?How is tuition calculated for my family?How is tuition calculated for my family?It is important for parents to understand that program costs include much more than just thecoaches time. Other costs include (but are not limited to) administration, facility (read as rent,real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, etc) equipment, liability insurance, coachestraining, professional associations and fees plus a myriad of other items. Gymfinity Ltd. has anobligation to cover these costs to ensure the maintenance of the competitive programs. For thisreason it is necessary for the parents of each team member to share in the financialresponsibility on a continual basis. Team programs are most often in clubs offered as

break-even programs. The profitable programs are for younger and lower level

classes. If we were to operate based off of a more profit centered model we wouldeliminate the team programs and thus eliminate the need for $30k floor, $3k vaulttables, higher payroll, higher insurance and less administration. But we dont. Wetry to keep our prices fair but still operate as a viable business.

Do I still owe tuition if my child is missing some trainingDo I still owe tuition if my child is missing some trainingDo I still owe tuition if my child is missing some trainingDo I still owe tuition if my child is missing some trainingsessions?sessions?sessions?sessions?Gymnastics and TnT Team tuition is calculated on a 48 week per year basis and then divided bytwelve to arrive at a monthly amount which is due no later than the first of the month. Each

year you can expect to have a limited number of practices canceled due to holidays, meets,inclement weather, rest days after long meet week-ends etc. Team members do not move ontoor off team based on illness, injury, vacation, schedule conflicts or the like. They are either onthe team or not. Your monthly tuition would be much higher if we had to take into account thatsome team members would be pro-rating tuition for one reason or another while expensesstayed the same. Just like a health club membership where your dues still apply even if you donot take advantage of the facility or the program, your team tuition is due regardless ofschedule conflicts, injury, illness vacation, sickness or homework.


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Are there tuition breaks if an athlete is injured or sick?Are there tuition breaks if an athlete is injured or sick?Are there tuition breaks if an athlete is injured or sick?Are there tuition breaks if an athlete is injured or sick?Injured athletes are expected to participate in practice and gym activities to the extent possible.It is often possible to work around injuries and turn a difficult situation into something positiveby increased work on flexibility, strength, specific events or specific skills. There is no reductionin tuition unless the condition takes the athlete out for one complete month and then only if theathlete cannot participate in training at all. In that case the tuition would be adjusted based onparticipation. For the athlete to return to training following a prolonged sickness or injury theparent MUST provide a doctors approval of return.

If I have other kids in the program, do I get a tuitionIf I have other kids in the program, do I get a tuitionIf I have other kids in the program, do I get a tuitionIf I have other kids in the program, do I get a tuitionbreak?break?break?break?Competitive team families with more than one athlete in our programs are entitled toGymfinitys standard family discount structure, which is 10% off the second child, 20% off thethird and 50% off the fourth the fifth would be FREE, so have more kids!

What if Im late paying monthly tuition?What if Im late paying monthly tuition?What if Im late paying monthly tuition?What if Im late paying monthly tuition?Overdue tuition is unacceptable. Gymfinity and its officers take great pride in, and arededicated to paying the companys financial obligations on time. Similarly, Gymfinity isdedicated to collecting all financial obligations owed to it. Tuition is to be paid within the first10 days of the billed month. Tuition not paid by the 10th of the month will incur a $15 late feeposted the morning of the 11th. Tuition not paid by the 21st of the month will result in your

athlete being removed from the team; you will also be responsible for the following monthstuition since no formal withdrawal was made. Any unpaid balance (including partially paidmonths) that have terminated the athletes participation in our program will keep the athleteout until the balance is paid in full. This is a very uncomfortable and embarrassing position toput a child in. If you are past due please keep your child home so they are not put in theposition of having to be turned away.

What if I do not pay the whole tuition bill?What if I do not pay the whole tuition bill?What if I do not pay the whole tuition bill?What if I do not pay the whole tuition bill?We know that at some times a familys financial obligations become overwhelming. Gymfinity iswilling to negotiate a payment plan for any team family. There are also several work-studyprograms available through the gym. Cleaning, filing, and other odd jobs may be done inreturn for payment toward tuition.

If a check is returned to Gymfinity, what happens?If a check is returned to Gymfinity, what happens?If a check is returned to Gymfinity, what happens?If a check is returned to Gymfinity, what happens? All bank fees related to returned checks, insufficient funds, etc will be charged back to thefamily in addition to a $35 fee.


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How do I make a payment for tuition?How do I make a payment for tuition?How do I make a payment for tuition?How do I make a payment for tuition?There is basically only one way that team accepts tuition payments. The registrationform includes a portion for establishing automatic payments. All team accounts areREQUIRED to have an auto pay format. The form is recorded into a secure file andtuition is automatically paid via that credit card within the first week of the monthand therefore never subject to a late fee. The only late fee possible is if the cardexpires and its replacement is not entered by the time payments are due. Ifpayment information needs to be modified we ask that parents do this at the desk.

What if my child switches levWhat if my child switches levWhat if my child switches levWhat if my child switches levels and the tuition isels and the tuition isels and the tuition isels and the tuition isdifferent?different?different?different?If you are an auto-pay family you will be required to fill out a new form granting permission to

Gymfinity to charge a different amount to your card.

Are there fees other than tuition?Are there fees other than tuition?Are there fees other than tuition?Are there fees other than tuition?In order to compete all Gymnasts and TnT team members are required to have a validmembership in a governing body (gymnastics to USA Gymnastics and TnT to USTA; US Tumbleand Trampoline Association and AAU). This requires the annual completion of a registrationform and payment; this is usually done in July or August and expires in one calendar year.Parents will be made aware of these well in advance.

What is the Family Membership Fee?What is the Family Membership Fee?What is the Family Membership Fee?What is the Family Membership Fee?Gymfinity charges an annual membership fee to all families registered in any Gymfinity activity.The annual fee is $35 billed in September and will be pro-rated for families joining Gymfinityduring the year. The fee is intended to offset some of the program costs associated with theoperation of the gym as a whole. If you have multiple children in the program you are stillliable for only one family fee.

What is the Team Membership Fee?What is the Team Membership Fee?What is the Team Membership Fee?What is the Team Membership Fee?As mentioned previously, having a competitive team is cause for the escalation of many feesincluding the price of liability insurance and the need for more specialized equipment. There isalso a much greater amount of time spent to accommodate the administrative needs of monthlypayments and billing, meet entry, skill test development and more. Therefore it is necessary tocharge an additional fee to team families to help offset these costs. The amount is $50 and isbillable in June when the athletes commit to team for the next year.


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Are there fees for going to competitions?Are there fees for going to competitions?Are there fees for going to competitions?Are there fees for going to competitions?Athletes families are responsible for any and all fees associated with competitions or clinics inwhich the athlete is registered. These costs include entry fees (individual and team) and a pro-rated share of all associated coaches costs (which include session pay, mileage of $.58/mile, afood per diem and hotel costs in needed).

Are there travel fees?Are there travel fees?Are there travel fees?Are there travel fees?The parents are responsible for transportation to and from a competition. We encourage you tocarpool as much as possible to save money, the environment and to promote the teamatmosphere. Its the parents responsibility to get the athlete to training sessions andcompetitions on time and ready to perform. Athletes arriving late to a competition may beremoved from the competitive roster. Each discipline sets their own demanded arrival time,arriving after that time will take the child out of the competition. This is non-negotiable andthere are no exceptions. So, if you read a map like I do leave earlier.

What about long distances traveled?What about long distances traveled?What about long distances traveled?What about long distances traveled?Should a competition require the use of a plane or a train, the parent would be financially liablefor all expenses, including a division of those of the coach. This is paid through the boosterclub. There is a separate release that must be on file for each attending athlete in order totravel with the coach. Parents are encouraged to come along on these trips but sometimes thatis practically and financially difficult. Coach assignments are usually restricted to one coach per10 athletes to keep costs down, and one coach of each Gender is required regardless ofthe number of athletes attending.

What are theWhat are theWhat are theWhat are the coachscoachscoachscoachs fees?fees?fees?fees?Coaches get paid by the booster club for competitions. They are employed by Gymfinity fortraining only, at competitions they are technically working for the Gymfinity and Beyond BoosterClub. The cost of coaches attending is based on the number of athletes attending. The usualratio is 8 to 1. Payments are made based on groups and should more than the ratio allowed beattending there will be an increase in need for coaches to be present; the coaches will beresponsible for dividing the paid wage. Coaches receive $.58 per mile to drive to a competition(one coach per 8 girls allowed mileage, based on session and schedule) and a $12 per dayfood allowance regardless of sessions attended or number of athletes. Fees for group coaching

vary per discipline.

Who pays for the athletes personal effects?Who pays for the athletes personal effects?Who pays for the athletes personal effects?Who pays for the athletes personal effects?Athletes are required to purchase their own uniforms, grips, shoes, tape. Uniform may includecompetitive gear, practice gear and accessories (bag, jacket, warm-ups, etc.). All items arecoordinated through the pro-shop. Parents individually and collectively are forbidden from usingGymfinitys name image, logo or other references without express permission from Gymfinitys


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owners. An invoice for all purchased items will be provided through the booster club.

When should I put money into the booster account andWhen should I put money into the booster account andWhen should I put money into the booster account andWhen should I put money into the booster account and

how?how?how?how?At the start of each competitive season each athlete is required to have enough money in theirindividual account to cover the costs of their season; this is usually projected and requested upto 3 months prior to the first competition. Therefore it is necessary to make deposits wellahead of the seasons start. Most competitions are paid months in advance and so much of thecost will actually be billed prior to actual competition (remember that the competitive season isdefined as 3 months prior to the first competition date).

As an athlete enters a competition the amount is drawn out of their individual account and amonthly statement is provided to keep the parents abreast of the financial state of the accountas season progresses. If there is not enough money in the account to cover the cost ofcompetition entry at the time the entry is made the athlete will be kept from the competitionregardless if a deposit is made immediately after the entry is submitted.

To deposit money into the booster club for your individual account fill out the deposit slip foundat the front desk, the bottom half serves as your receipt. Give the payment to a coach or officeperson, they MUST initial it; let them know where the money is to be applied. Be sure to enteryour childs name and discipline (Gymnastics or TnT) in the memo field of your check and fillout the deposit form completely. All checks must be made out to Gymfinity and Beyond toensure it is routed to the proper account.

What happens if my child decides to quit the team?What happens if my child decides to quit the team?What happens if my child decides to quit the team?What happens if my child decides to quit the team? A written letter of withdrawal must be submitted to the team director 30 days prior to

termination of participation. A copy will be made to issue to the booster club so they will closethe individual account. We would prefer that the parents and athlete met with the coaches for abrief exit interview to explain the departure and allow us the opportunity to better improve ourprogram in the future. We will support 100% a well thought out decision made by the familyand team athlete.In terms of the financial account, withdrawal date is determined by the date the letter is givento the teams director. Should tuition have been paid for the month, a partial refund would beallowed. If the departure date is prior to the 15th of the month, one half of the tuition will bereturned, if after the 15th no refund will be written. The preferred exit date would be at the endof a billed month. If a balance is still owed to Gymfinity at the termination of participation,Gymfinity will expect payment in full.There is a booster club refund if your child quits the team program provided the proper

procedure is followed. That procedure is determined by Gymfinity and Beyondand will have noenforcement or influence on or by Gymfinity Ltd.


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Important NumbersImportant NumbersImportant NumbersImportant Numbers

Gymfinity(for urgent calls tothe gym)

608-848-3547 ext. 4 If you need to reach ateam coach during

practice times, ring thisnumber and when sentto voice mail press 4again to have it ringagain, it may take a

while to get coaches tothe phone

J. Orkowski (Owner,

Director, Coach)

(gym) 608-848-3547 ext. 5

(fax) 608-848-3549(cell) 608-347-3547

(E Mail) [email protected]

For general questions,

program issues, teamquestions

Stephanie Orkowski(Owner, BusinessDirector, Coach

(gym) 608-848-3547 ext. 5(fax) 608-848-3549(cell) 608-345-0399


General question, billingissues, team questions

Various Teamcoaches

(gym) 608-848-3547 ext. 4(fax) 608-848-3549


E mails or messages willbe forwarded to specificcoaches. It is the policyof Gymfinity Ltd. to not

provide coachespersonal

numbers or E mailswithout theirPermission.

TEAM CONTRACT:Sign and return

Documents

Team Family Handbook 2010-11