Junior
Sapphires
Junior Sapphires is a program for younger
gymnasts who, through observation of experienced coaches, exhibit
the qualities required to meet future criteria in the Sapphire
program. Junior Sapphires can start as early as age 3 and must
meet criteria based on coaches discretion. Coaches will evaluate
for body tightness, timing, strength, straight jump timing, swing
timing, regrasping and emotional readiness. Junior Sapphires work
on basic gymnastics elements and learn fundamental techniques
on all four apparatus - vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor
exercise. Juniors practice 1-2 times weekly year round.
Sapphire
Prep Team
The Sapphire Prep Team is for gymnasts who
have mastered skills such as the roundoff and back walkover on floor
with light spot, the pull over and back hip circle on bars, tuck
jumps and cartwheels on beam with light spot, and shows good progression
in springboard timing for vaulting. Gymnasts will work toward necessary
competition skills while also learning about the importance of teamwork.
Coaches discretion will be used. Gymnasts practice 1-3 times weekly
year round.
Sapphire
Team 3
Team 3 is an intermediate step between Prep
Team and Competition Teams 1 and 2. Gymnasts at this level may have
mastered some of the competition requirements, but may not yet be
ready to transition onto the competitive teams. Team 3 members may
perform at some exhibition meets on limited events or may have a
shorter competitive season based on coaches discretion. MAGA policy
requires that gymnasts must be 6 years old to compete. Gymnasts
practice 1-3 times weekly year round.
Sapphire
Team 2
Team 2 gymnasts may or may not have a competitive
season. Some of the information and requirements from Team 3 and
Team 1 overlap this level. Please see information in Team 3 and
Team 1 level for requirements. Teams 2 and 3 can be different from
year to year based on the number of gymnasts and their ability levels
in any given year.
Sapphire
Team 1
Each team that is registered in MAGA may only
have a maximum of 10 gymnasts. If there are more than 10 girls in
the Sapphire program who are ready for a competitive experience,
then two teams may be formed. Gymnasts on Teams 1 and 2 have mastered
competition requirements. Gymnasts will be required to master roundoff,
back handsprings and front handsprings on floor, flyaways and baby
giants on bars, front handsprings on vault, and cartwheel or back
or front walkover on beam (or a skill of high superior difficulty).
All Team 1 and 2 gymnasts will be required to compete in all four
events. Coaches discretion will be used.
The competitive season begins in October with meets starting in
December and ending with the MAGA Divisional State meet in March.
Competitive teams have approximately 7 meets per season. Gymnasts
will also participate in community demonstrations and performances.
Gymnasts practice 2-3 times weekly year round.
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