SGA Junior Olympic Program
USA Gymnastics Team ( level 4 -10 )
LONG before they compete, girls in the "JO" program start in our developmental program.
Seattle Gymnastic Academy's Junior Olympic program is aims to develop strong, self-confident, motivated, and successful gymnasts. Our goal is to provide each child the necessary tools to achieve their gymnastics dreams. This may include successful optional gymnastics, elite competition and the ability to obtain a college scholarship. It is important to recognize that "JO" program is the program that America uses to select its international and Olympic competitors - the standards are the highest in the world. We strive to prepare each child to be successful in this arena.
The following mantra is what we live by and try and instill in each of our gymnasts:
* Motivated
* Athletic
* Graceful
* Independent
* Competitive......young women.
If you are interested in being a part of our Junior Olympic program, please be sure to contact Team Director George Kostadinov at 206-267-3108 or stop by our Glade facility to check us out. We will always take a moment to evaluate any child and make sure they are placed in the appropriate class.
Seattle Gymnastics Academy feeds its Junior Olympic program through MAGIC, its highly structured development program and sometimes from our recreational or Little League classes. These classes are broken out as follows:
HOTSHOTS (maximum class size: 6): 3 & 4 year-old girls attending 1 hour/week. This class is open to all 3 & 4 year-old girls that are interested in a more gymnastics-intensive class with emphasis on body shaping and skill work.
STARLITES (maximum class size: 8) : 4 & 5 year-olds attending 1 hour/day, twice a week. This class is for gymnasts who have been in Hotshots and are not quite ready or willing to commit to Sparklers yet. It can also accept beginning 5 year-olds.
CRACKLERS (maximum class size: 8) : 6, 7 & 8 year-olds attending 1 hour/day, twice a week. Girls who want a challenging class that focuses on body shaping and skills with the opportunity to progess into SGA's team programs should attend this class.
SPARKLERS (maximum class size: 8) : Entry by pre-requisite or testing. 2 hours/day, twice a week. Here is the intermediate class for the developmental gymnast who is working to progress into an SGA team.
DYNAMOS (maximum class size: 8) : Entry by pre-requisite or testing. 3 hours/day, twice a week. This is the advanced development group and the last preparatory level before competing. Gymnasts from this group are selected for either our Junior Olympic team or our Recreational-Optional team.
Seattle Gymnastics Academy's MAGIC Gymnastics Program is geared toward girls who are interested in a progressive class structured to improve strength, flexibility and skill development. SGA's USA Gymnastics junior olympic staff teaches all of our MAGIC classes.
If your child truly loves gymnastics and is eager to progress, or you simply prefer more structured learning programs for your child, then our MAGIC program is for you! We have beginning classes available for all girls ages 3 - 8. Be sure to look at what gym the class is located at as we have two facilities within 2 blocks of each other. Our "Glade" (GL) Facility hosts the majority of our MAGIC classes but they are also available at Shiveley. The "Glade" address is 12737 28th AVE NE. Our "Shiveley" (SH) facility is located at 12535 26th AVE NE.
Junior Olympic
Set up in the traditional pyramid, the Junior Olympic program has been developed by USA Gymnastics (America's governing gymnastics body) to (1) bring in as many candidates as possible and (2) systematically develop gymnasts to their peak potential.
Level 4 -- Gymnasts promoted from Development join this team in July and begin competition in January. From this level on, the gymnasts train year-round.
Level 5 -- Gymnasts promoted from Dynamos/ Level 4 in July and begin competition in January.
Level 6 -- Gymnasts promoted from Level 5 in June compete from October through May.
Level 7 -- Gymnasts begin competition in January and will have the state meet at the end of March.
Level 8 -- Gymnasts train from June to begin competing in January.
Levels 9, 10 and Elite -- These girls train 25-30 hour s a week and are getting ready to compete in January.
TOP (Talent Opportunity Program) -- For gymnasts who want the best shot at Elite or optional competition (or just a good year competitively), the TOP summer conditioning program is offered. TOP testing by USA Gymnastics is once a year and is extremely rigorous. Only 70 candidates from throughout the country are selected based on the strength, flexibility and the skill level (We qualified 3 in 1997, 6 in 1998, 6 in 1999, 5 in 2000, 2 in 2001 and 2002) so chances of meeting the USAG criteria are slim. However, the summer conditioning gives the competitive gymnast a genuine leg up on the fall/winter season.
Your instructor or coach can put you in touch with the coach who tests incoming gymnasts or dancers. Please inquire!
