The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

YOUNG gymnasts training at the Nassau Nastics gymnastics club have come to learn, there is much more to the sport than tumbling, flipping, and balancing on beams. In fact, the athletes who participated in gymnastics regularly, develop healthy self images, confidence, and build leadership skills.

“Gymnastics is a sport of flexibility, strength, and initiative. I think that young girls are attracted to the sport because they want to learn how to do some sort of flip and gain flexibility. I personally was attracted to the sport from watching people in the Olympics and because I always loved flipping around my house as a young girl. Most of the time you could only see boys doing flips and other stunts and not girls, but to see girls daring those things persons find it more exciting and amazing,” said gymnast and coach Simone Hall, with the non-profit volunteer organisation.

“The sport has a tremendous impact on girls. Besides gaining flexibility and strength they also gain confidence, build leadership skills and collaborative skills,” she said.

Earlier this month ten female gymnasts and one male gymnast from Nassau Nastics competed in the Gasparilla Classic Meets in Florida.

“The experience was overwhelming but also great at the same time. There were so many people at the competition. I was excited that she was involved in the competition and she remains focused on where she wants go. I think they,” said Raquel Cleare, parent of 7-year-old Ebonique Pratt, who competed in level two at the meet.

After the competition, Ms Cleare said Ebonique was fired up to get back to practice to improve her skills.

“For many of the team members including myself this was the first time doing a meet oversees. I believe for them it was a really enjoyable experience and no one left the meet empty handed. I believe that this meet has encouraged our gymnasts to continue improving and to continue working hard,” said Zerline Johnson, a gymnast.

“Overall the Nassau Nastics team has done exceptionally well. There were a lot of improvements compared to the previous competition we participated in. Many of our gymnasts received scores of nine out of a possible ten score, this really showed that the gymnasts are working really hard and are becoming more serious and appreciative of the sport,” she said.

On a typical training day at Nassau Nastics, gymnasts do conditioning exercises and stretching before they move to the various gymnastics apparatus, said head coach Trevor Ramsey. During the floor exercise, gymnasts spend most of their workout tumbling on the floor. Gymnasts also participate in relay races and compete to see who can hold a handstand the longest or who “stick” the most skills, he said.

Addressing the concerns of some experts about competitive sports Coach Ramsey said gymnastics “does not hinder a child’s growth anymore than playing basketball makes them taller.”

“It is also a medical fact that females who train many hours in any sport whether it be gymnastics, track and field or swimming, will experience a delay in puberty. They will also have smaller breasts which is a result of having lower body fat. These girls will eventually catch up and have no adverse affects from gymnastics or any sport,” he said.

Coach Ramsey said overall gymnastics has a positive impact on participants especially when they have an opportunity to travel and compete. He said opportunities are endless when gymnasts travel abroad to compete.

“Not only are our gymnasts able to see how much potential there is to go further in the sport but they can also see how equally talented they are when compared to their American peers. Going to these meets also offers the bonus of meeting role models in the sport who our girls would only have the opportunity to see on television. Big meets like Gasparilla would typically have an Olympian there signing autographs and giving motivational talks to the athletes,” said Coach Ramsey.