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Preparing for Season 2023-2024

As fall sets in, I find myself buried in planning for gymnastics season. There are so many things to be excited for and I can't wait to start the season. In preparing for season, here is some helpful information to help prepare our gymnasts and their parents.


IC Signup, Physicals, and Alt Year Cards:

In order to practice on the first day, all gymnasts need to have the following:

  1. A physical card completed (likely if you're a freshman or junior) OR an alternate year card completed (likely if you're a sophomore or senior).

  2. The gymnast needs to go into IC and register for gymnastics.

  3. A parent needs to go into IC and register their child for gymnastics

  4. A parent will have the ability to pay the athletic departments sport fee in IC.

Items 1 through 3 MUST be completed to practice on the first day. If you have questions about how to do this, please reach out to me or the athletic department.


Team Website:

Our teams website will be updated regularly throughout season and will include blog updates and pictures. It also includes a calendar showing practice times and events and has a space with helpful links.



Pre-Season Meeting:

There is a meeting for all gymnasts interested in joining the team that will be held after school on Monday October 16th at 3:00 PM in the Literacy Center at Memorial. All returning gymnasts are still required to attend.


The meeting is a space for the gymnasts to meet me and other team mates, get information about the season, tell me more about themselves, and also start getting in orders for team gear.


Team Gear:

The order form includes two items that are required for the gymnasts but also includes items that are optional and can be purchased for either gymnasts, parents, friends, or family members.


Order forms need to be returned to Danielle by Wednesday, 10/25/2023. There are multiple ways to get the order forms to me (text, email, or physically). I coach at 8 PM at Badger that night so girls can bring their order forms to me at practice or give it to a girl who will be at practice who can transfer it to me.


How to provide payment is described in the order form but if you have any questions, just reach out to me. If you require financial assistance for anything, including clothing, also please reach out to me.


Warm Up Leo:

Every year, we get a custom team warm up leotard from GK. Each leo is $45.00 and is included in the team fee that will be paid at the parent meeting. Additional info about the team fee will be discussed at the parent meeting.


Mandatory Gym Setup:

On Sunday, November 5th, at noon (12:00 PM), we will have our mandatory gym setup at Memorial. This is required for all gymnasts. Because West shares our gym, gymnasts from the west team will also be in attendance. This event is required for all gymnasts. Parents are not required but some parents may be reached out to for help with specific items.


Setup usually takes a little over two hours so I recommend planning to stay until 2:30 PM. I strongly recommend wearing close toed shoes and clothes that the girls don't mind getting dirty. There is a lot of dust and chalk that gets kicked up.


Any gymnast unable to make it should reach out to me ahead of time to discuss.


First Day of Practice:

The first day of practice is Monday, November 6th, at 5:00 PM. I will get to the school around 4:30 PM and open the locker room. I will have signs clearly labeling which locker room is for gymnastics. Anyone unsure of where to go can stop in the gymnastics gym and check in with me.


The first day of practice is filled with stretching, lines, conditioning, jumps, and a great deal of cardio. Girls should be ready for an intense workout. Gymnasts should come to practice with the following:

  • Workout clothing (a leotard & shorts or a t-shirt/tank top & shorts is acceptable)

  • Any needed braces (wristies, ankle braces, etc)

  • A water bottle

  • Hair tie

  • Any other required medical items (inhalers, etc).

I want to avoid anything getting stolen from the locker room so girls need to bring a lock for their locker. I will also lock the locker room during practice but as a back up, a lock on their locker is necessary.


First Week of Practice:

The first week of practice is going to be difficult. While we will take time to do team bonding, the gymnasts need to be mentally prepared for a challenging week. They are going to be sore and feeling drained. I want to remind them, and parents, that this is normal. The transition to gymnastics five days a week is intense. I am there to support them and their team mates are there to encourage them.


I also want add that our coaches are alumni of Memorial AND previous gymnasts on the team. Each of us has lived that first week and has an appreciation for how exhausting it can feel.


Parents - Empower your gymnasts to find their inner strength and overcome.

Gymnasts - Don't give up. I wouldn't challenge you if I didn't think you were up for the challenge.


Parent Meeting:

A parent meeting will be held after practice on Wednesday, November 8th at 7:15 PM. It will be held in the Literacy Center at Memorial (located next to the library in the hallway between A & B wing by the large parking lot entrances). We will go over team expectations, planning, and details. You will be able to meet the coaches, other parents, and ask questions.


I will also be requesting checks for team fees from parents at this time. Team fees are separate from the sport fees that you pay through infinite campus. I will provide a breakdown of what the team fees cover at the meeting to provide transparency, but the short of it is that it will cover team leos, and additional items I have to purchase for the team throughout season.


- - -


For any other questions, gymnasts and parents should not hesitate to reach out. For our new members, I understand you probably have a ton of questions and I am here to help support however I can.


I will see you all soon. Cheers!


-Danielle




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