A Gymnastics Blog
Gymnastics
Jan 27th
I’m finding Twitter to be such a useful tool for information lately. It’s quick, fun and easy as sometimes I don’t have time to thrawl through my Google Reader to view posts from blogs I subscribe to. I’ve come across a great amount of Twitter accounts offering information that don’t have an efficient website or blog to distribute their news, so Twitter is fantastic for this. I’ve also noticed that some people aren’t aware as to how to subscribe, so Twitter is an easy way to catch up with the news. I must add that I am finding Twitter Lists brilliant and am discovering plenty of gymnasts or gymnastics sites on Twitter that I didn’t know had an account. Mashable have an easy to follow guide on making Twitter Lists. Happy Tweeting!
You can follow Full Twist here . The blog post links will be posted there for those who dont use an RSS.
Beth Tweddle
Jan 26th
I am a little late with this post but I would like to offer a huge congratulations to Britain’s Beth Tweddle who has been selected to receive an MBE. This is a huge achievement for the seven time British Champion. FIG have given Beth a lovely write up on their website. Make sure to follow Beth on Twitter for news and updates. Hopefully when she has time she will become more interactive with her fans. Congratulations Beth!
One of my favourites
Jan 21st
This picture of Olga Korbut has always been one of my favourites. I have no particular reason why. When I was 9 years old, my Dad gave me a framed copy of this picture and hung it beside my bed. I would to go to sleep at night hoping that someday I could be like her. I still have the picture and I adore it. What are your favourite gymnastics pictures, old or new?
Little Links 19/1/10
Jan 19th
As coaches and gymnasts we all know how important a move the basic handstand is in our sport. I really enjoyed this article by Troy on Handstands. I strongly suggest that you take the time and read it. I’m really enjoying the in depth posts from Troy and Chris – you guys are helping me learn new things and refresh my memory from college 
Rick posted a link to this fantastic book Building The Gymnastic Body. I had a quick glance over the contents and bought it immediately. Including shipping it cost $79 (€55 / £48), I’m hoping it will turn out to be an invaluable source of information for myself and the gymnasts I coach.
Our club recently purchased some new equipment and I see that Gymnova UK have updated their website, looking lovely, a much better layout than the previous website.
Over the last few months, many people have been doubting Nastia Liukins return to gymnastics next season. I have definitely noticed how Nastia is concentrating mainly on her business projects since taking this year off. It would be a great pity if she didn’t return to the sport as I know a lot of my gymnasts look up to her. Up until a few months ago, I followed both Nastia and Shawn Johnson on Twitter but soon began to feel somewhat irritated with their updates. I suppose I wanted it to be more gymnastics related but with Shawn on Dancing With The Stars and Nastia concentrating on her business schedule I felt a little bored of seeing their updates about taking a flight to X, Y and Z etc. Here’s a few links from Gymnastics Coaching , Full In Full Out and Gymtruthteller’s Blog to get an idea as to how people are feeling – especially check out the comments on each blog post.
Little Links 12/1/10
Jan 12th
Many thanks to Gymnastics in Europe for drawing my attention to this blog Coaching Gymnastics In The New Millenium. So far I have just skimmed through some of the posts but I’m so excited about reading the posts. The post content seems to be the exact type of subjects I like to read about when it comes to gymnastics. Biology, Anatomy and Physiology are a huge passion of mine so as you can imagine, I can’t wait to read some posts!
Speaking of which, Gymnastics In Europe has just started another blog since moving to the USA. Although I loved reading the content of a blog that was so close to home, I can’t wait to hear a European’s views on gymnastics in the USA, sometimes it seems so alien to me as the sport isn’t as big here.
I hope everyone’s 2010 season is going well so far!
Making a Club Website
Jan 11th
We all know that in this day and age, the Internet is a huge tool for news. The majority of business companies now have website to update their clients and customers as soon as they can rather than making phone calls and waiting for letters to arrive. I’m hoping to begin working on a website for the gymnastics club and would love to have other peoples feedback on what to include, what not to include and problems you have come across when running a Club website. This is what I can think of to include from the top of my head:
- Calender of events
- Contact details for staff
- Training times
- Club History
- Downloads section for Codes of Conducts, Competition Results, Class Conditioning Programs etc
Is there any other vital information that I should include? How do other clubs use photographs? I notice that a lot of clubs seem to ensure that the girls are wearing shorts over their leotards. Presumably they ask for the parents permission to use photos of their child. In the case of clubs having galleries from events, is it possible to have it so that a password is required to view the photos? I ask this as Child Protection is such a huge issue these days. A big part of the codes of conduct include the use of photography in the gym. It is stated that we, as coaches should not take photographs of the children or videos.
I would really like to have a blog on the club website that will update everyone with our news, from updates of new equipment to competition results, to mentioning which gymnast has been picked as gymnast of the month etc. Currently at the end or start of each term we provide a club newsletter but as any parent or child knows, very often the piece of paper with important details is thrown in the gym or school bag and never seen again!
I’d love to hear of anyone’s experience or advice on creating a club website.
