Rhythmic Gymnastics National Stream Program A.

GENERAL

The following technical regulations are intended to be a summary of the rules found in the GCG Technical Regulations Manual for easy reference, and also to identify programs in Ontario that affect National Stream athletes. Should there be any area where ambiguity in these regulations may exist; the GCG Technical Regulations will apply. I. Eligibility – Individual and RG Group a. b. c. d. e. f.

g. h.

An amateur athlete must meet the requirements for an amateur as outlined by FIG. Athletes must be a Canadian citizen or Landed Immigrant to be eligible for awards, support and opportunities provided by GO and GCG. All National Stream athletes must compete at the Elite Ontario Championships to be eligible to compete at the Eastern Regional Championship and Canadian Championships, unless the athlete has an official exemption. National Team Pool members (selected from Elite Canada), and individual competitors who compete and qualify at the Eastern Regional Championships, are eligible to compete at the Canadian Individual Championships. Eligibility for G.O. and/or Quest for Gold government funding is also dependent upon placement at Elite Ontario, Elite Canada, and the Canadian Individual RG Championships (CIC). In order to receive funding from G.O. for Canadians (Individual), eligible athletes (team or otherwise) must compete at Elite Ontario and arrive at the competition healthy and prepared to compete, unless the athlete has an official exemption. The GO Program Manager/organizing committee will be responsible for verifying the eligibility of gymnasts with the GCG Program Coordinator. Athletes must also adhere to the Eligibility & Mobility rules listed elsewhere in this manual.

II. National Stream Categories – as determined by GCG The athlete’s age is determined as of December 31st in the year of competition. Individual Level Pre Novice Novice Junior National (Level 9) Junior High Performance (Level 10) Senior National (Level 9) Senior High Performance (Level 10)

Age-Eligibility 9 to 10 years old 10 to 12 years old 13 to 15 years old 13 to 15 years old 16 years old and over 16 years old and over

Group Level Pre Novice

Age-Eligibility 9 to 10 years old

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Novice Junior Senior Senior Development

10 to 12 years old 13 to 15 years old 16 years old and over 15 Years old Juniors & Senior Age

Note: 1. Only athletes in Novice, Junior and Senior categories will compete at Canadian Individual Championships. 2. Group members can compete in one level above their age, but will not be eligible for International competition selection. III.

Coaches

Individuals must be fully certified NCCP Level 3 Rhythmic Gymnastics coaches in order coach National Stream athletes in their gymnasiums.

to

Coaches must be fully certified NCCP Level 3 in order to gain access to the competitive floor for warm-up and competition for all Qualifying meets, Elite Canada, Elite Ontario, Eastern Regional Championships, Canadian Individual Championships, training camps and other related Gymnastics Ontario activities. Coaches must be registered with Gymnastics Ontario as “Coach of Athlete - National”, to be able to gain access to the competition floor at any Gymnastics Ontario sanctioned National Stream competition, and must hold current and complete Risk Management Certification. For complete details regarding coaching certification, please consult Appendix “A” - “NCCP Requirements for Ontario Coaches”. B. NATIONAL STREAM COMPETITIONS - GENERAL I.

Eligibility National Stream athletes may be eligible to compete as an individual and/or group member in the following sanctioned competitions, subject to qualification regulations: a. b. c. d. e. f.

II.

Elite Canada Canadian Group Championships Elite Ontario Championships Eastern Regional Championships Canadian Individual Championships Invitational Competitions

General a. Individuals may not compete at the Eastern Regional Championships or the Canadian Championships without first competing at the Elite Ontario Championship, unless the athlete(s) has an official exemption. b. Elite Canada and Canadian Group Championships are Open competition, and are combined.

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c. d.

C.

Junior and Senior Groups who wish to be named to the National Team must qualify by competing at BOTH the Canadian Group Championships AND the Canadian Individual Championships. The Provincial Technical Rules and Regulations, as well as participation criteria set out by the GCG, qualifies the athlete to compete at Elite Canada, Eastern Regional Championships, and the Canadian Individual Championships.

ELITE CANADA I.

Schedule: Provincial organizations bid in advance to host Elite Canada each year, held typically in February or March. The competition is held in conjunction with the Canadian Group Championships.

II.

Purpose: Is under review by the National Team Director a. To qualify for direct entry to the Canadian Championships b. To initiate the selection process for GCG National Teams c. To identify and assign gymnasts to strategic International Competitions

III.

Who Can Attend: This competition is open to - Junior and Senior Individuals. Refer to GCG Technical Regulations for complete details.

IV.

Competition Program: Technical rules are as per the GCG Technical Rules and Regulations.

V.

Ontario Funding: This is NOT considered a G.O. Team Ontario event – no cost-share is applicable. G.O. will cover the cost of Ontario panel judges’ transportation and accommodation.

D. CANADIAN GROUP CHAMPIONSHIPS I.

Schedule: Provincial organizations bid in advance to host this competition in conjunction with Elite Canada – it is held typically in February or March.

II.

Purpose: Is under review by the National Team Director a. To determine the ranking of rhythmic gymnastics groups across Canada b. To declare Group Champion in all categories c. To identify and assign groups to strategic International Competitions.

III.

Who Can Attend: This competition is OPEN to all National Stream Groups duly registered through their Provincial RG organizations. • •

Groups of 3 & 4: Pre-Novice, Novice, Junior and Senior Group of 5: Pre-Novice, Novice, Junior FIG, Senior development and Senior FIG

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IV. V.

Open Group Competition Program: Technical rules are as per the GCG Technical Rules and Regulations. Ontario Funding: This is NOT considered a G.O. Team Ontario event – no cost-share is applicable. G.O. will cover the cost of Ontario panel judges’ transportation and accommodation.

E. ELITE ONTARIO Unlike the other competitions in this sub-set of technical regulations, Elite Ontario is completely under the jurisdiction of Gymnastics Ontario. It is considered the “Ontario Provincial Championships” for our National Stream athletes. I.

Schedule: Ontario RG Clubs bid in advance to host this competition, which is held annually in late Winter/early Spring – typically several weeks after Elite Canada.

II.

Purpose: a. To declare the Ontario Champions in Pre Novice, Novice, Junior 9 and 10 and Senior 9 and 10 Individual. b. To declare the Ontario Champions in Pre-Novice, Novice, Junior and Senior Groups.

III.

Who Can Attend: This competition is OPEN to all National Stream Individuals and Groups who are duly registered with Gymnastics Ontario. Individual: Pre-Novice, Novice, Junior 9 and 10, Senior 9 and 10 Group: Pre-Novice, Novice, Junior, Senior Duo; 3/4; Groups of 5

IV.

Competition Program: Technical rules are as per the GCG Technical Rules and Regulations, with the following modifications: Ontario Champions will be declared from the All-Around Competition. The individual apparatus awards will be declared from the all around competition in each competitive category level. There is no “Finals” competition at Elite Ontario. If the total number of athletes competing warrants a one-day competition, Novice and Junior groups will perform once only, and Senior groups will perform each routine (2) once. If the total number of athletes warrants a two-day competition, all groups shall perform twice for the All-Around award. In the case of Novice, the two routines will be the same. In the case of Junior & Senior groups, each performance will be with different apparatus.

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V.

Ontario Funding: This is NOT considered a G.O. Team Ontario event – no cost-share is applicable. Judges expenses are as per the G.O. Technical Regulations (Section “G”).

VI.

Attire: Club Tracksuits may be worn – G.O. Tracksuit is not appropriate attire. Competition attire must be worn for Award Ceremonies.

VII.

Ontario RG Awards Schedule:

Level Individual Group Ribbons: Ties:

Program Individual All-Around Each Individual Apparatus Group All-Around

Medals 1-3 1-3 1-3

Ribbons 4-8 4-8 4-8

Ribbons must be of different colours and will be awarded as above, regardless of number of participants. In the event of a tie, the individuals and/or groups will share the tied ranking and the next ranking will be omitted.

For all Gymnastics Ontario competitions (Provincial Qualifier 1 and 2, Ontario Championships and Elite Ontario), if there are 3 or fewer athletes in a category, only All Around (AA) medals will be awarded to the athletes e.g. AA Gold, Silver & Bronze). No apparatus awards will be given. Host clubs must include this information in their Call to Meet and in their Bulletins / Programs. For an athlete to be awarded the Individual All-Around medal and be declared the Ontario Champion there must be a minimum of 2 competitors in the category. For National Stream Group categories, All-Around medals and Ontario Championship titles will be awarded regardless of the number of groups competing. Participation Certificates: Participation Certificates are optional. If the host club(s) chooses to distribute participation certificates they should be presented to all athletes participating in the Ontario Championships. VIII.

Petition for Exemption:

Elite Ontario is a prerequisite for Eastern Regional Championships and/or Canadian Individual Championships. All gymnasts must compete at Elite Ontario in order to be eligible for G.O. costshare funding to the Canadian Championships. If an athlete does not compete at Elite Ontario they must submit an official exemption request to Gymnastics Ontario. F.

EASTERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS As of 2009, the Eastern Regional Championships now includes Provincial Level individual athletes (Levels 3B & 4-5-6, B & C) and Provincial Groups. This section of the G.O. Technical

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Regulations, however, is devoted solely to the National Stream. Please consult the GCG Technical Regulations for further details. I.

Schedule: Provincial organizations bid in advance to host this competition. It is held annually in April or May for participation by athletes from Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.

II.

Purpose: a. b. c. d.

III.

To declare the Eastern Regional Individual Champions in Pre Novice, Novice, Junior and Senior. To provide a competitive opportunity of a higher caliber to all athletes in PreNovice, Novice, Junior and Senior categories. To serve as a qualification event for the Canadian Individual Championships for Novice, Junior and Senior competitors. To provide a competitive opportunity for National Groups.

Who Can Attend: Provincial Level individual athletes (Levels 3B & 4-5-6, B & C) and Provincial Groups.

This is an OPEN competition for all Pre Novice, Novice, Junior and Senior Individuals and Groups. Easterns is also the method of qualification for the Canadian Championships for Novice athletes, and for those Junior and Senior athletes who are not currently part of the National Team Pool (i.e., High Performance Level 10 from Elite Canada). National Team Pool (Junior and Senior High Performance, Level 10 athletes from Elite Canada) may compete “hors concours” (e.g., without published scores, ranking, or awards) at Eastern Regional Championships provided that the organizing committee can accommodate the additional gymnasts. The same applies to the top Senior, Senior Development, and Junior Groups from Elite Canada. IV.

Competition Program: Technical rules are as per the GCG Technical Rules and Regulations.

V.

Ontario Funding: This is NOT considered a G.O. Team Ontario event – no cost-share is applicable. G.O. will cover the cost of Ontario panel judges’ transportation and accommodation. G.O. will cover the cost of Ontario panel judges’ transportation and accommodation.

VI.

G.

Attire Ontario Team Uniform – e.g., G.O. Tracksuit - must be worn for this competition. Competition attire must be worn for Award Ceremonies.

CANADIAN INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS I.

Schedule:

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Provincial organizations bid in advance to host the Canadian Individual Championships each year, help typically in late May or early June. II.

Purpose: a. To provide competitive opportunity of the highest caliber to qualified athletes, and to declare Canadian Champions in Novice, Junior & Senior Categories. b. To select and rank the National Junior & Senior Team (Individual & Group). c. To identify athletes for upcoming strategic competition assignments. d. To identify Groups for international assignment, or to monitor already identified groups. e. To declare the National team athletes selected according to the modified carding criteria (carding criteria without the international results). The top10 juniors and the top 10 senior will constitute the Canadian National Rhythmic Gymnastics Team.

III.

Who can Attend: a.

Senior Individual:

b.

Junior Individual:

c.

Novice Individual:

d.

Groups:

Top 10 placements from Elite Canada (SR High Performance) Top 10 placements from Eastern Regionals Next 2 Ontario placements from Eastern Regionals Top 10 placements from Elite Canada (JR High Performance) Top 10 placements from Eastern Regionals Next 2 Ontario placements from Eastern Regionals Top 10 placements from Eastern Regionals Next 2 Ontario placements from Eastern Regionals FIG Junior Group of 5, GCG Senior National Team Group

IV.

Competitive Program: Technical rules are as per the GCG Technical Rules and Regulations.

V.

Ontario Funding This is considered a G.O. Team Ontario event – G.O. cost-share is applicable for athletes and coaches who meet the cost-share guidelines outlined in Appendix “G” – “Funding to the Canadian Individual Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships”. G.O. will cover the cost of Ontario panel judges’ transportation and accommodation.

VI.

Attire Ontario Team Uniform – e.g., G.O. Tracksuit - must be worn for this competition. Competition attire must be worn for Award Ceremonies.

VII.

GCG Trophies To recognize winning athletes’ achievements, a GCG Perpetual Trophy is presented to the Canadian Champion in each level. Perpetual trophies remain the property of

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GCG, and prior year recipients must return these to the Meet Director of the following year's Canadian Championships immediately upon their arrival at the event. H. SELECTION TO ONTARIO TEAMS I.

General There are certain competitive events for which Gymnastics Ontario assumes full jurisdiction over the selection, travel & accommodation, etc. for what is known as “Team Ontario”. Team Ontario events include, Canadian Individual Championships, and any specific Tour Teams that may be selected by the RG Technical Program Committee from time to time. Team Ontario events are funded on a cost-share basis. Team Ontario members are expected to travel and stay as one team at these events, regardless of which Club they represent. G.O. will also appoint Team Coaches/Managers to travel and stay with the Team, and who are responsible for looking after the needs of the athletes outside the confines of the competition/warm-up areas. Specific details are communicated to member clubs on a per-event basis by the G.O. office. The G.O. team tracksuit must be worn as designated at all Team Ontario events. Athletes and coaches must complete the request form and purchase the current tracksuit from the G.O. Program Manager – refer to the Forms Section.

II.

G.O. Tour Teams Specific athletes may be, from time to time, identified in advance and invited to a Tour Selection Camp/Competition, from which top-performing athletes are selected to represent Team Ontario at a designated out-of-province competition. Team Coaches and Managers are appointed by G.O. to accompany the teams, and all team members must participate in the cost-share program for the team. Specific details are communicated to member clubs on a per-event basis by the G.O. office.

I. OTHER GCG PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, & REFERENCE MATERIAL I.

National Team Program Refer to GCG

II.

GCG Judging Rules & Regulations Refer to GCG

III.

Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program – Carding Criteria Refer to GCG

IV.

Long Term Athlete Development Plan Using the principles of Canada’s LTAD model, GCG has developed a framework to detail the developmental needs and abilities of gymnastics participants of all ages and stages in their various levels of activity. The booklet is available on the GCG website.

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V.

PAGU Event Participation The Pan American Gymnastics Union is the sport-governing body for all gymnastics in North and South America for events leading up to and including the Pan American Games (multi-sport Games held every 4 years). PAGU Rhythmic Technical Regulations will be posted on the GO website upon receipt.

VI.

Youth Olympic Games The year 2010 was the first ever Youth Olympic Games, held in Indonesia. The 2014 Youth Olympic Games will be held in Nanjing, China. More information on the selection for the 2014 Games will be communicated upon receipt.

VII.

Canada Winter Games Rhythmic Gymnastics is currently not part of the Canada Winter Games.

J. OTHER G.O. PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, & REFERENCE MATERIAL I.

Athlete Assistance – Quest for Gold Program Quest for Gold provides Ontario Government financial assistance for selected athletes based on their success at designated competitions. The program is administered by the G.O. Technical Director, and is often referred to as “Ontario Carding”. Details are posted each year on the GO website.

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