Parent Responsibilities
Parents play a huge role in the development of a successful gymnast. The parent's role is every bit as important as that of the gym, coaches, and athlete. The following actions and ideas are expected of XHG Team Parents.
COMMUNICATION
We will communicate with parents through various channels. The most common is weekly email and the private Facebook page. But, we also produce a monthly newsletter, a private parent page on this website, TeamSnap, and WAVE. Please get in the habit of checking your emails on a regular basis. In the event of an emergency or unusual circumstances, we will text and/or call you in addition to our regular communication channels. It is important that we have your current email address on file and that you are opening and reading emails sent to you.
Communication between coaches and parents is a valued part of your child's development and is encouraged. It may not always be possible for a coach to speak to you before or after practice due to time constraints. Please let the office know that you would like to discuss your child's training experience. Our coaches will contact you outside of gym time to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We appreciate your opinions and input and welcome discussing your child's experience in our program.
PRIVATE LESSONS
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media can be a useful tool to communicate with teammates, friends, coaches, and more, however, it can also be damaging. Every picture, link, quote, tweet, status, or post that you or your gymnast put online is forever part of your digital footprint. Also, remember that most of our gymnasts are minors and posting images of them on social media require the permission of their parents. You are responsible for exercising good judgement regarding appropriate use of social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
Meet dates generally are not announced until the fall and acceptance into those meets is based on a first come, first served basis. The Head Coach will select the meets for the JO and Xcel teams once the meet dates have been announced by VAUSAG. Team registrations and deposits are required to secure spots at each meet. The preliminary meet schedule will be posted no later than mid-September and will include all important information including dates, locations, entry fees, entry deadlines, etc. Meets can be added, changed, or canceled. One to two weeks before a competition, participating gyms will receive a meet information sheet or email that includes rotations, gymnast roster, and host hotel. It is not uncommon for host clubs to send out meet information late or make last minute changes. Information in many instances is not received until the week before a competition. It’s a good idea to clear your calendar for the entire weekend of a meet on the off chance there will be last minute changes that could conflict with your previous plans.
CONTACTING A HOST GYM
Under no circumstances should a parent contact the host gym with questions or comments about competitions, as per USAG Rules and Policies. Direct all questions or comments to the XHG meet coordinator and they will be happy to find answers for you or address your concerns. Your gymnast or the entire team can be disqualified from the competition at the discretion of the meet director if this policy is not followed. Per USAG Rules and Policies, all questions and comments need to come directly from the team administrator, not individual participants.
HOSTED MEETS
XHG and XHGBC will host at least one meet throughout the season. The meets are run entirely by the parents. All parents are expected to volunteer at these meets. Once dates are determined, be sure to mark your calendars and plan accordingly.
There is considerable work required to configure the gym in a fashion to meet safety requirements for the events and to present our gym in a favorable and professional manner. Therefore, each family is asked to support all scheduled events in the following ways:
At each hosted meet, you are asked to participate in either Event Configuration OR Gym Re-Assembly AND Event Support. There will be a sign up sheet for each. Please sign up early for your preferred supporting functions.
- Tuition and Fees must be paid on time.
- Parents are expected to provide timely and safe transportation to and from all gym practices and competitions.
- Parents are expected to be on time to pick up your gymnast after practice.
- Parents will refrain from making negative comments about other gymnasts, parents, coaches, and staff.
- Parents will refrain from distracting or coaching from the sidelines, at the gym and competitions.
- Parents are not allowed in the practice area unless invited by a coach.
- Parents are expected to treat all other parents, gymnasts, and coaches with respect.
- Parents are expected to encourage your gymnast with lots of PRAISE.
- Behavior of parents should NEVER interfere with gym activities.
- Parents will check email, Facebook, and website regularly to stay current with team activities.
- If you would like to speak with the coach about a concern, please call ahead of time to arrange a meeting before or after a practice. Talking to a coach during practice time is unfair to other gymnasts.
- Parents are expected to be their child’s biggest supporter and show unconditional love and encouragement.
- Parents are expected to refrain from talking to their gymnast during practice, including if your gymnast is getting a drink of water. It is important for the gymnasts to stay focused and with their groups. If you need to get a message to your gymnast during practice, please talk to the office staff.
- Parents are expected to familiarize themselves with the Team Handbook; it's important to understand the rules and policies.
- We do encourage all of the gymnasts and their families to go out for a meal together after competitions
COMMUNICATION
We will communicate with parents through various channels. The most common is weekly email and the private Facebook page. But, we also produce a monthly newsletter, a private parent page on this website, TeamSnap, and WAVE. Please get in the habit of checking your emails on a regular basis. In the event of an emergency or unusual circumstances, we will text and/or call you in addition to our regular communication channels. It is important that we have your current email address on file and that you are opening and reading emails sent to you.
Communication between coaches and parents is a valued part of your child's development and is encouraged. It may not always be possible for a coach to speak to you before or after practice due to time constraints. Please let the office know that you would like to discuss your child's training experience. Our coaches will contact you outside of gym time to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We appreciate your opinions and input and welcome discussing your child's experience in our program.
PRIVATE LESSONS
- Private lessons may be scheduled with your child’s coach for an additional fee.
- Prices are set by the coaches.
- Private lessons are available upon request.
- Appointments for private lessons should be made directly with the coach.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media can be a useful tool to communicate with teammates, friends, coaches, and more, however, it can also be damaging. Every picture, link, quote, tweet, status, or post that you or your gymnast put online is forever part of your digital footprint. Also, remember that most of our gymnasts are minors and posting images of them on social media require the permission of their parents. You are responsible for exercising good judgement regarding appropriate use of social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
Meet dates generally are not announced until the fall and acceptance into those meets is based on a first come, first served basis. The Head Coach will select the meets for the JO and Xcel teams once the meet dates have been announced by VAUSAG. Team registrations and deposits are required to secure spots at each meet. The preliminary meet schedule will be posted no later than mid-September and will include all important information including dates, locations, entry fees, entry deadlines, etc. Meets can be added, changed, or canceled. One to two weeks before a competition, participating gyms will receive a meet information sheet or email that includes rotations, gymnast roster, and host hotel. It is not uncommon for host clubs to send out meet information late or make last minute changes. Information in many instances is not received until the week before a competition. It’s a good idea to clear your calendar for the entire weekend of a meet on the off chance there will be last minute changes that could conflict with your previous plans.
CONTACTING A HOST GYM
Under no circumstances should a parent contact the host gym with questions or comments about competitions, as per USAG Rules and Policies. Direct all questions or comments to the XHG meet coordinator and they will be happy to find answers for you or address your concerns. Your gymnast or the entire team can be disqualified from the competition at the discretion of the meet director if this policy is not followed. Per USAG Rules and Policies, all questions and comments need to come directly from the team administrator, not individual participants.
HOSTED MEETS
XHG and XHGBC will host at least one meet throughout the season. The meets are run entirely by the parents. All parents are expected to volunteer at these meets. Once dates are determined, be sure to mark your calendars and plan accordingly.
There is considerable work required to configure the gym in a fashion to meet safety requirements for the events and to present our gym in a favorable and professional manner. Therefore, each family is asked to support all scheduled events in the following ways:
- Event Configuration – support the setup and configuration of the gym to support the event. This normally takes place the night before the event with some additional duties required immediately prior to the event.
- Event Support – this includes, but is not limited to, registration, concessions, judge support, hospitality, administration, and decorations.
- Gym Reassembly – support the reassembly of the gym to its normal configuration. This takes place immediately after awards of the last event.
At each hosted meet, you are asked to participate in either Event Configuration OR Gym Re-Assembly AND Event Support. There will be a sign up sheet for each. Please sign up early for your preferred supporting functions.