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About Us

An Introduction To “Debbie Couch Gymnastics”

Contents:

1. “Debbie Couch Gymnastics“: Qualifications, Awards & Experience
2. Pre School Gymnastics
3. Recreational Gymnastics (Inc. for those with a disability)
4. Intermediate Gymnastics
5. Sports Acrobatics

Debbie Couch Gymnastics

I started Gymnastics when I was twelve. This may seem old for Gymnastics Competitive Disciplines, however I really enjoyed my sport, and was a very good Tumbler!

Enjoyment is now central to my Gymnastics Coaching Approach, my Gymnasts doing great at competitions is a bonus!

I became interested in coaching when I was asked by my Coach to help him as an assistant, in 1979! I thoroughly enjoyed this & eventually I was able to combine training & coaching throughout the week. I trained 15 hours per week and coached around 6 hours / week, too.

Coaching eventually took me to Doncaster, where I assisted the High Performance Coaches in Women’s Artistic & Tumbling. In 1988 I took time out from Gymnastics for ….. Rock Climbing. (My husbands interest)

I came back into the Gymnastics when my daughter was four. I progressed from being an Assistant Club Coach to a “British Gymnastics” qualified General Club Coach.

I am a great believer in continuous training / development, Gymnast or Coach.

Having qualified as a General Club Coach I have since took my Women’s Assistant Club Coach, followed by Women’s Club Coach.

In 2003 I “added “ to my Club Coach the Pre-School Club Coach for the early years and I am now doing my Sports Acrobatics Club Coach which will further expend the various range of disciplines I can offer to all Gymnasts.

In 2003 my work was recognised by The English Federation of Disability Sports and I was nominated for the Coach of the Year, which I was awarded. This was a tremendous surprise, but which resulted in super publicity for Gymnastics.

In 2004 I also qualified as a Disability Gymnastics Club Coach.

Now, in an average six day week I coach about 150 children. I am still enjoying it to the full!

Gymnasts Achievements via “Debbie Couch Gymnastics “

At my club in Berwick we compete at Regional level in General & Women’s Artistic Competitions.

In 2003, three of our Intermediate Gymnasts went to their “National Grades” held at CONGA. (City of Newcastle Gymnastics Academy)

Of 100+ Gymnasts taking their Grade 6, the girls from Berwick Gymnastics Club were all in the top 15. One just missed a medal & has since moved onto the Gymnastics National Development Plan. As talent for the future this Gymnast now trains at 20 hours / week over four days. A Hugh commitment from both parent and Gymnast.

In 2004 another two of our Gymnasts took their Grade 6 exam and achieved strong passes.

Gymnastics is now in the family. Neil (my long suffering hubby) has decided that if he wants to see more of me, he must coach Gymnastics.!

Neil started the path to becoming a Coach in November 2002, qualifying as an Assistant Club Coach early in 2003. Neil was never a Gymnast - Mountaineering was his thing - but he really understands Gymnastics theory and is brilliant with kids. (10 years working in Education, or perhaps just being a Dad?)

Pre- School Gymnastics

These sessions are mainly about fun for you and your child working together in a controlled Gymnastics setting

• The sessions are available for children 2 years upwards.
• All the classes are structured via the British Gymnastics “FunFit” Awards Scheme.
• Sessions use soft play and specially designed “Gymtime” Equipment
• The classes offer 45 minutes of uninterrupted playtime
  
  

These classes lay the foundations for the introduction of:

• Physical and motor skills; strength, endurance, agility, balance flexibility, power, co-ordination, spatial awareness, good posture and relaxation
• Provide children with the experience of managing their bodies, monitoring a situation and responding to it
• Provide the basis of Gymnastics and movement skills incorporating the pleasure of moving and listening to music
• Introduce and develop body control, adaptability, manual dexterity, accuracy alertness and the ability to stop and start quickly
• Improve listening skills, timing and co-ordination skills
• Reinforce colours, shapes, numbers and vocabulary through the use of Nursery Rhymes and traditional stories
• Enhance the development of growing children.
• Create a positive attitude towards physical activity
• Offers opportunity for all children to succeed and progress
• Share and take turns, appreciate others.
• Early child discipline

Recreational Gymnastics

Recreational Gymnastics is great fun for everyone. Children learn basic Gymnastics elements on each piece of apparatus, which includes:

• Floor
• Bar
• Beam
• Vault
• Sports Acrobatics

These classes aim to boost your child’s

• Self confidence
• Co-ordination
• Balance
• Strength
• Gymnastics Skills (Such as Rolls, Cartwheels, Jumps, Spins etc)
• Recreational Gymnasts can work towards British Gymnastics Badge Scheme Awards.

Intermediate Gymnastics

These classes are for Gymnasts who are ready to move on to the next level and require a greater and more sustained time commitment than Recreational Gymnasts.

Intermediate Gymnasts:

• Work with a group who are all of the same ability, & therefore often progress rapidly
• Training groups are smaller
• Training is typically longer than for other Gymnastics
• Training refines to precision existing skills
• Training leads to new & advanced skills
• Progression routes move onto Artistic, Display / Team Gymnastics, Sports
• Acrobatics and Tumbling, often as part of a Competition Club Squad
  

Gymnastics is great for health, fitness, personal development, team work & for just being fun.