A typical calisthenics year is well anything but typical! What we can promise though, is a year of fun, friendship and an opportunity for all our girls to gain confidence and to SHINE both on and off the stage!
All our competing teams (Sub Juniors through to Seniors) train during all school terms. Our calisthenics girls are privileged to have experienced and qualified coaches, many who have/or are still Calisthenics girls themselves at our club, coach them. They are also assisted by qualified class assistants and cadets.
In first term (continuing into second term) girls will start learning basic routines (as mentioned in our ‘What is Calisthenics?’ page). As calisthenics is a team sport regular attendance at classes and other club events is imperative and essential to both individual and team success.
During these first two terms is also our prime fundraising time. So please be ready to roll your sleeves up and help us raise much needed funds to keep our costs as low as possible for all families. This could mean becoming a committee member, helping out at a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle, selling a box of chocolates or committing to selling some raffle tickets. Volunteers are vital to our clubs ongoing success!
In third term (July/August), girls will compete in their first team competitions at the Calisthenics Theatre in Midvale – performing 5 of their team items on stage in front of adjudicators. (This is a great warm up for the State competitions in September)
Usually in August/September we also have a club overnight weekend camp or training day (depending on availability of venues) and run our Annual Concert showcasing our teams’ performances to family, friends and the wider community. These are great ways for the girls to continue practising for an audience.
In late third term (late September/October) all teams perform at the Calisthenics Association of Western Australia (CAWA) State Championships. The ‘competitive’ season requires a high level of commitment from both participants and their families. You will be guided and supported through this process by your Parent Liaison (one point of contact for each team), coaches and of course all of our Mandurah Calisthenics families!
One of the most important aspects of both you and your child having a great calisthenics experience, is that you understand the regular time commitment involved. Members are asked to commit to attending training consistently as poor attendance impacts greatly on coaches, teams and individuals. Ensure that you ask as many questions of your Parent Liaison as you need, because the better informed you are, the more comfortable everyone (including your child) will be!
It is imperative that you check the website regularly and keep up to date with the calendar of events provided so that you don’t miss any important changes or additional trainings throughout the year. Your Parent Liaison will also keep you updated on anything coming up or reminders as well.
Tinies - Our non-competing Tinies class train once a week, learning routines choreographed to music and along with the basics of calisthenics and skills they will need in their future years at Cali. This is a great introduction to calisthenics for girls and their families. They also perform for their friends and family at our annual concert in August, and then head up to the ‘big stage’ at Midvale to participate in the annual Future Stars concert, usually in October.
Extra information
Aside from the regular training sessions in school terms competing team girls will need to attend some other compulsory events:
· Stage Practice at Midvale,
· Betty Fitzpatrick state competition at Midvale,
· overnight weekend camp/or training day in lieu,
· Annual Club Concert
· State Championships Competitions at Midvale.
These all fall on various weekends from July- early September depending on the competing team as per our team schedules. (Don’t worry we will keep you informed!)
Additional competitions/exams (These are not compulsory)
At the beginning of the year members aged 10yrs and above have the opportunity to train for and enter the CAWA Graceful Girl Solo competition. There is also the opportunity for members aged 6yrs and older to train for and enter State Solo and Duo Competitions run in Term 4. In Term 4 girls can also train for and sit Calisthenics skills exams. There is also the opportunity for anyone interested to attend workshops and trials for selection into the State Team competing at a national competition annually (Information about all of these events will be sent out in due course).
