I recently returned from my December - Regional Board Meeting and things are going to stay pretty much the same for the 09’ Winter, Spring and fall seasons. Please see the minutes in this newsletter for specifics. I do have one fantastic announcement to make however. The Tim Rand “TR” Memorial Fund will be paying for 100% of the Level 10 entries into Nationals in the Seattle area. Thanks to Toni Rand and all of the supporters of this fund for keeping the memory of one of Region 8’s greats alive and really making a difference in the lives of our athletes and families.
Training Camp Announcements:
# 1 = “Regional Team” Training Camp – July 24-26, 2009 at Tampa Bay Turners - FL
Qualifiers:
Level 8 State “Regional” Team athletes (up to 64)
Level 8 Regional athletes that placed 1-3 at Regional Championships in non state team sessions.
TOP’s National Qualifiers that competed L 7 and above in the previous year.
# 2 = “R 8 National Team” Training Camp – September 11-13, 2009 at Orlando Metro - FL
Qualifiers:
All L 9 and 10 athletes that qualified to the previous year’s Eastern/National Meet
All active elite athletes
This camp will serve as host for NAWGJ Symposium
# 3 = “L 8, 9, 10 Regional Training Camp” - October 2-4, 2009 - Gymnastix – Buford, GA
Qualifiers:
All L 8, 9 and 10 athletes that qualified to the previous year’s Regional Championship meet or above.
I am confident that our camp system will continue to provide the ultimate training and learning opportunities for our athletes, coaches and judges alike to help take Region 8 to the next level. With that said however, supporting our training camps will be more important than ever. The Regional Board unanimously decided that to bolster support, every club that has athletes eligible for the all-star trip must be in good standing to accept the trip upon earning it. Good standing means that each club must do one or more of the following:
• Host a R 8 Training Camp within the last 2 years
• Send a volunteer coach or coaches to a Camp to actively work with gymnasts
• Send an athlete or athletes to a Camp
• Make a $1,000 donation to the Regional Apparel Fund
Clubs failing to meet these criteria are making the decision to be ineligible for the “All-Star” Trip if one or more of your athletes qualify. Please do not put yourself in this position.
The Board made this tough decision with the knowledge that the training camps cannot be a success without the support of ALL of our clubs. The funds created by the camps are the funds that are the life blood our athletes and coaches for apparel and our “All-Star” trip. Please do your part.
The “All-Star” trip will once again be in July/August on the 30th – 2nd weekend. The team will be made up of the level 9 & 10 athletes that represent Region 8 the best at 2009 Easterns and Nationals. The athletes and coaches will take part in three very intense training sessions at the unbelievable CAR Gymnastics Training Center in Cancun, MX with myself and the head staff that I will assemble post qualification. The team and attending coaches will be housed in a local, all inclusive hotel and be transported via bus while in Mexico. We will also mix in a little bit of local culture and fun. It is our hope that this trip has been and will continue to be a great source of motivation within the Region. The Region will furnish the funds for the athletes and the head staff. Coaches that qualify athletes that are not on the staff may also attend but at their own expense. The qualification system is as follows:
The top six – L 9’s (plus ties) and the top six – L 10’s (plus ties) from Eastern/National Championships will make up the team. The team is chosen as follows:
Any athlete(s) that place first in the AA get first priority.
Any athlete(s) that place second in the AA fill any remaining spots.
Any athlete(s) that place third in the AA fill any remaining spots.
If there are still spots available the athlete(s) with the highest AA score regardless of Age Group will make up the remainder of the team.
Graduating Seniors are ineligible for the trip.
The Region 8 Junior Olympic Committee remains:
Alabama
J – Mary Lou Dillard
C- Meg Henry
Florida
J - Rene Niccollai
C - Laura Parraga
Georgia
J – Michelle Donovan
C – Elena Piskun
Louisiana
J – Brenda Eberhardt
C - Bryan Neal
Mississippi
J – Mary Moore
C – Emily Lay
North Carolina
J – Kristie Phillips
C – Kenny Morphis
South Carolina
J – Mendy Knisley
C – Louie Liguori
Tennessee
J – Jeanna Rogers
C – Adam Byrd
As always, please feel free to contact your State’s representative or myself with any questions or concerns.
Please remember that the changes that will go into place in August 2009 are not in effect until then. The 2009 Winter/Spring season will use the current rules.
Thanks a lot and GO Region 8 –
Brad Harris
Region 8 Junior Olympic Committee Chairman
