2010 Winter Newsletter

The Region 8 Board recently met in Atlanta and there a few changes to the JO landscape.

For specifics, please see the minutes in this newsletter. One highlight however, is that the Tim Rand “TR” Memorial Fund will once again be paying for 100% of the Level 10 entries into Nationals in the Dallas 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 Changes and Announcements:

# 1 = “Regional Team” Training Camp – July 23-25, 2010 at Tampa Bay Turners - FL

Qualifiers:

ALL Level 7 & 8 Regional Qualifiers.  

TOP’s National Qualifiers that competed L 7 and above in the previous year.

# 2 = “R 8 Nationals Team” Training Camp – September 10-12, 2010 at GAA in Atlanta - GA

Qualifiers:

ALL 2010 NIT Qualifiers

All 2010 L 9 and 10 athletes that qualified to the L 9 Eastern or L 10 National Meet

All active elite and “pre”- elite athletes

This camp will serve as host for NAWGJ Symposium

# 3 = “L 8, 9, 10 Regional Training Camp” - October  8-10, 2010 - ACE – Orlando Area - FL

Qualifiers:

All L 8, 9 and 10 athletes that qualified to the previous year’s Regional Championship meet or above.

Training Camp forms

I am confident that our camp system will continue to provide great training and learning opportunities for our athletes, coaches and judges alike to help Region 8 continue on its path to National prominence. With that said however, supporting our training camps will continue to be of the utmost importance. The Regional Board unanimously decided to continue our requirement stating that a club must be in “good standing” in regard to training camps to be eligible for the ALL-STAR Trip. In “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 funding of the “All-Star” Trip if one or more of your athletes qualify. An athlete from a club that is deemed NOT in “Good Standing” may only attend the trip at her own expense. Additionally – if the coach or coaches wanted to accompany their athlete they would have to pay for 100% of the trip. Please do not put yourself in this position.

The Board stuck with this criteria 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 with the understanding that when you support the training camps you are ultimately supporting yourself!

The “All-Star” trip will once again be in July/August on the 29^th – 1^st weekend. We are currently in communication with the gymnastics staff at Chelsea Piers in NYC. We feel like New York will be a great training and cultural experience for everyone involved. The team will once again be made up of the level 9 & 10 athletes that best represent Region 8 at 2010 Easterns and Nationals. The team and attending coaches will be housed in a local hotel and be transported via bus while in NYC.  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 (minus meals and excursion fees). 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.

Thanks a lot and GO Region 8 –

Brad Harris

Region 8 Junior Olympic Committee Chairman