Brief Overview of Levels
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 like 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 Exhibition Team
Participation on the Exhibition team is an intermediate step between the Prep Team and Competition Teams. Gymnasts at this level may have mastered some of the competition requirements, but may not yet be ready to transition onto the competitive teams. Gymnasts may perform at some exhibition meets on limited events or may have a shorter competitive season based on coaches discretion. MAGA policy require that gymnasts must be 6 years old to compete. Exhibition teams are not registered with MAGA and are not eligible to qualify for the MAGA Divisional State Meet.
Sapphire Competition Teams

The number of competitive teams in the Sapphire program can change from year to year. 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, more than one team may be formed. Team placement is based on skill level and ability. Gymnasts will be required to master Round off back handsprings and front handsprings on floor, flyaways and baby giants on bars, front handspring on vault, and cartwheel or back or front walkover on beam (or a skill of high superior difficulty). All gymnasts will be required to compete on 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 may have approximately 7 meets per season. Gymnasts will also participate in community demonstrations and performances. Gymnasts practice approximately 2-3 times weekly year round. Competitive gymnasts will be expected to pay competition fees in excess of regular tuition costs and will also be required to purchase a team competition leotard and team jacket.