Recreational Gymnastics:
Gymnastics For All (GFA)
Manuals & Resources
- Operations Manual – GFA
- Interclub Program Manual
- Interclub Adjudicator Training Presentation
- CanGym Program
- Adult Gymnastics Program Manual (currently under review)*
- BC JO and Xcel Charts (2020-07-24)
*please contact the Recreation Program Manager for more information.
GFA Programs
Gymnastics for All includes all non-competitive GBC programs offered by clubs, including those for community recreation and schools. It is the umbrella discipline for non-competitive gymnastics activities and disciplines, including but not limited to: artistic, trampoline, aerobic, acrobatic, and rhythmic* gymnastics.
GBC-recognized activities offered under the GFA banner encompass a tremendous range of ages, abilities, program goals, and philosophies.
These programs include, but are not limited to:
- Recreational Gymnastics (Active Start, School Age, Teen)
- Adult Gymnastics
- Adaptive/Inclusive Programs
- Interclub
- Recreational Parkour
- Performance Gymnastics (commonly known as “Gymnaestrada“)
- Recreational Cheerleading
- Recreational Acrobatic Gymnastics
For detailed information on any of the above listed GFA programs, please see the GFA Operations Manual.
To find a club that offers any of the above listed GFA programs, please use our Find a Member Club tool.
Other Programs
- For information on Seniors CanMove, please click here.
- For information on Empowering Steps Movement Therapy, please click here.
*Please note that rhythmic gymnastics is governed separately under the British Columbia Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics Federation (BCRSGF).
Community Access Programs
Kids CanMove (for schools and community centres)
Kids CanMove uses the activities of gymnastics to develop physical literacy. The program is fun, inclusive, and requires only benches and mats.
For teacher workshop/in-services, please see the Order Form for pricing information, and contact the Recreation Program Manager to discuss scheduling.
To order the KCM manual and e-task cards, please submit a completed Order Form to the Recreation Program Manager.
Additional Resources:
- Practical Ideas for Implementing Gymnastics in Elementary Classes
- Ideas to Help Students Develop Core Stability and Strength
School Field Trips
Many of Gymnastics BC’s member clubs offer field trips for schools in their area. As each club has their own schedule and regulations, field trips are arranged with each club directly.
To find a GBC club in your area, please use our Find a Member Club tool.
GFA Committee
Events
- GFA Events
- GFA Annual Retreat – July 2020 TBA
- Provincial Gymnaestrada – May 22 – 24, 2020
- World Gym For Life Challenge – July 12-19, 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal
- National Gymnaestrada (2022 TBA)
- FIG Gymnaestrada – August 6-12, 2023, Amsterdam, Netherlands
CONCUSSION RESOURCES
- Concussion: the basics
- Concussion guidelines for coaches and trainers
- Concussion guidelines for parents and caregivers
- Concussion recognition tool
- Sport concussion assessment tool – 5th edition
- Consensus statement on concussion in sport—the 5th international conference on concussion in sport held in Berlin, October 2016
Coaching
More Info
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FAQs
How do I sign my child up for gymnastics classes?
First, use our Find a Member Club Tool to find a gymnastics club near you.
Then, visit the member club’s website, or contact the club directly for more information.
Is gymnastics only an elite-level sport?
Gymnastics is an activity that anyone can participate in and benefit from!
From infant to senior classes, there is a program for everyone.
Learn more about the different programs and classes gymnastics has to offer by visiting our Programs Overview web page.
Do you have to be small to participate in gymnastics?
Anyone can participate in gymnastics, regardless of size or strength.
Gymnastics helps you build agility, balance, coordination, strength and flexibility!
Is gymnastics inclusive to special needs?
Absolutely!
Many gyms offer adaptive classes and programming.
To find a club near you, use the Find a Club search tool.
Is gymnastics dangerous?
When a gymnastics program is tailored to the needs of the age group and ability level and practiced safely, it is not dangerous.
When you watch gymnastics on TV, it does look like it has dangerous elements, but those athletes are trained on how to perform their skills safely.
In fact, gymnasts are taught early on how to fall and land to avoid injuries – an invaluable skill that carries over to many sports.
My kid wants to be a soccer/football/volleyball player. How can gymnastics help?
As a foundation sport, gymnastics helps give children the tools to become great athletes, not just great gymnasts.
Many of the skills learned in gymnastics are transferable to other sports.
What is the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Model?
Published by the Canadian Sport for Life Movement and developed by Canada’s sport leaders, the LTAD model ensures that developmentally-appropriate skill programs are provided throughout an athlete’s career.
Together with Gymnastics Canada and the other provincial associations, Gymnastics BC has customized and adopted the LTAD for gymnastics.
The LTAD is a model for development in physical activity and sport to provide a safe, enjoyable, and progressive pathway for children and youth to pursue healthy physical activity along with a pathway to excellence.
To learn more, check out these resources about the Long-Term Athlete Development Model:
Which stages of the LTAD model relate to PLAY gymnastics?
Four of the eight gymnastics stages relate directly to Gymnastics For All. These include:
- Stage 1: Active Start
- Stage 2: Fundamentals (formerly Fun, Fitness & Fundamentals)
- Stage 3: Learn to Train (formerly Building the Skills of Gymnastics)
- Stage 8: Active for Life
There are two additional LTAD stages for individuals with a disability:
- Awareness
- First Contact
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