Swedish Gymnastics
Adopted by the 2016 Federation meeting
2017/2018
Swedish Gymnastics In 2012, we issued Swedish Gymnastics - Movement for Life that describes the many facets we represent between us. Our development model embraces everything from basic child gymnastics to enjoyable exercises for senior citizens. Between these is a diversity of different expressions within gymnastics such as competition, training and performance. Whatever the form, we have gathered our thoughts on how we feel Swedish Gymnastics should be run. The development model describes key factors. Basically, it is about enjoying what we do, appreciating that not everyone is the same and to respect each other. Our values and associated code of conduct provide a platform for everything we do. What we do and how attractive gymnastics is and the development force it offers, reside with our member associations. Whether or not these associations are new, relatively recent or long standing. The Gymnastics Federation is a catalyst for development work and ensures that Swedish Gymnastics has the tools and equipment to run gymnastic activities and achieve its goals. Together, we are the guardians of the uniqueness of Swedish Gymnastics. Because what we do together is unique. When it comes basic physical training, many people turn to us and are fascinated by what we see as natural. Swedish Gymnastics has never been as attractive as it is today. So, feel proud of what we all represent and accomplish as a group. The Federation Board 2
Vision Goals
Our Concept
Swedish Gymnastics
Values and Code of Conduct
Federation Support and Focus Areas Development Model and Key Factors
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Our Concept: Swedish Gymnastics – Movement for Life Swedish Gymnastics is multifaceted. New forms of fun and playful exercise are constantly developed. Competitive challenges for anyone who wants more. Different but still the same – everything revolves around your own body movements. Good health and well-being through movement, comradery and personal development – that’s Swedish Gymnastics. And everyone is welcome.
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Vision of Swedish Gymnastics By 2020, Gymnastics Federation associations will have a combined total membership of over 400,000 nationwide.
By 2020, fifteen percent of all children up to the age of 12, will be members of a gymnastics association.
By 2020, at least 150,000 members will train within Active for Life, including 100,000 members within one of the 200 certified Gymmix associations in Sweden.
By 2020, Swedish gymnasts will win at least one medal at European and World Championships or Olympic Games.
By 2020, all sports halls in public authority schools will have Gymnastics Federation recommended gymnastics equipment.
By 2020, at least 20 new special facilities for associations will have either been agreed upon or planned.
Goals achieved
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Swedish Gymnastics Values Lifelong personal involvement. We see and facilitate opportunities for everyone to join in.
Curiosity and openness. We are attentive to the needs of every individual and show understanding of what each of us does, and we are easily approachable.
Enjoyment and Development. We develop and have fun together and what we learn will last a lifetime.
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The Swedish Gymnastics Code of Conduct We enable everyone to gain a sense of enjoyment and comradery when doing gymnastics.
We help and support each individual’s development based on their personal development level, capabilities and ambitions.
We are good role models.
We respect and treat everyone as equals.
We respect the personal integrity of participants.
We help each individual’s development in different ways by involving them in decisions about their exercises and competitions, and create an environment where individuals can reflect and take responsibility.
We take responsibility for the personal safety of participants in association with gymnastic exercises.
We take responsibility for the health and well-being of participants in association with gymnastic exercises.
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The Swedish Gymnastics Development Model and Key Factors Swedish Gymnastics offers something for everyone, whatever your age, capabilities and level of ambition. To better explain our broad offer, we have produced a development model divided into eight stages.
Our development model is based on ten key factors that describe what is important for Swedish Gymnastics.
The model promotes a lifelong interest in gymnastics and movement. Anyone who feels meaningful, proficient and appreciated will want to play a part in and contribute to Swedish Gymnastics activities. The idea is that individuals should be able to progress through the different stages of the model at their own pace and in line with their own personal level of ambition. Swedish Gymnastics has something for everyone. We call this Movement for Life.
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Active for life
an m
Co te
pe
Train to Compete
Train to Train
Learning Gymnastics
Playful Gymnastics
Active Start
Movement for Life
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Swedish Gymnastics
ain Tr
Train to Win
Key Factors, Swedish Gymnastics should: 1
Start from the perspective of children’s rights All gymnastics for children and young people should be based on a children’s rights perspective and adhere to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. A children’s rights perspective means adopting behaviour that respects the child’s opinions, everyone needs to bear in mind what is best for the child – that is to say their well-being, health and positive development. A children’s rights perspective also means looking to the needs and capabilities of each individual child with regard to their current development level. It also means that both coaches and organisation managers at all levels should put the child in focus and analyse what consequences a decision or actions would have for a child or group of children.
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Nurture and develop a broad range of gymnastic exercises in different forms. Swedish Gymnastics offers a broad range of activities for children, young people, adults and senior citizens. That is our strength and a success factor we should nurture. To attract and retain even more participants – of all ages and activity areas – we need to continuously develop and update a broad range to meet the needs and demands of participants. Encouraging all round development and enabling participants to switch between different activities and disciplines is a crucial success factor.
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Assure the availability of fully trained and competent leaders All training should be sound, stimulating and developing. As such, everyone who is actively involved in Swedish Gymnastics has the right to competent leaders. Leaders at all levels should be given the opportunity to build on their skills and knowledge by continuous training. There should be regularly updated plans at association, regional and national level to help both new and more experienced leaders improve their abilities. This is guaranteed through the Gymnastics Federation’s training activities that are continuously developed. The activities incorporate new research findings and scientific observations, and keep a close eye on what is happening in the international world of sports.
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Encourage the inner drive of participants According to Self Determination Theory (SDT, a motivational theory founded by Professors Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan), motivation is of absolutely crucial importance in gradually developing skills and capabilities. Research also indicates that the most successful type of motivation comes from within individuals themselves. With more independently driven inner drive, participants will be able to keep going longer, work better together, become more creative and experience more enjoyment when doing sport. Within Swedish Gymnastics, leadership and structures create a platform that enables both participants and leaders to develop a strong inner drive, such as by having a bigger say in the association, in training and competitions.
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The importance of individual development The development model is based in the individual development and biological age of participants. The physical, cognitive and emotional development and needs of each individual are factored into all activities, all training and competitions. This approach is fundamental to Swedish Gymnastics leadership courses, training models, performance development and competition system. Educating leaders and parents of the importance of adapting training regimes to the development of children and young people is a central plank.
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Train smart Training smart is about doing the right things at the right age, in time optimised sessions and adapting training to the participant’s development stage. 1) Training in the right things at the right age is done by structuring a long term training plan that factors in particularly favourable periods that physical development windows (motoric/coordination, strength, speed, fitness, strength/balance for older people) offer. 2) Competitive gymnastics in general, and certain competition disciplines in particular, demand many hours of training. By varying training, using planning and periodising, avoiding unnecessary repetitive drills, emphasising recovery and taking other measures that sports research suggests, activities can be time optimised to a great extent. 3) Having patience and adapting training in the 11-15 growth age is crucial to ensure training can be done safely and that as many individuals as possible will want to continue with gymnastics. Exercises, movements and training sessions should therefore be adapted to each individual’s development.
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Have patience and accept that it takes time to reach the top An athlete’s development is a long term process. Poor decisions, such as a big focus on short term results and early specialisation will undermine the long term development of young athletes and in the long run, cause many to quit their chosen sport prematurely. Based on the above and given the low minimum age in certain competition disciplines, Swedish competitive gymnastics actively strives to enable our gymnasts to reach their performance peak at a higher age than is customary internationally. Therefore, our training and competition systems are tailored accordingly. By respecting the long term process and having patience, we want to retain as many competitive gymnasts for as long as possible.
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Well run, prosperous associations Every member is affiliated to their local association. Associations and association activities that are well run in terms of smooth management and efficient boards, structures and a feel good developmental environment play an important role in the Swedish Gymnastics development model. Ensuring healthy finances, adhering to the Swedish Gymnastics values, code of conduct and development model are the foundations of a well-run, prosperous association.
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Quality Assured Structures It is important to assure compliance with the spirit and content of the development model, at national, regional and local level. Which is why compliance is audited and evaluated. The Swedish Gymnastics code of conduct is important here. We also use an evaluation system at federation, regional and association level in the form of dialogues, questionnaires and reports. Other tools we use to measure and assure compliance are the requirements for trained leaders that the Gymnastics Federation and its associations specify, along with certification and licensing requirements at trainer and association level within certain activity areas.
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Constant development It is important that our development model is always up to date and relevant. We achieve this by: • Incorporating new research findings and scientific observations, both gymnastics specific and sports in general, into the model. • Reflecting in the model new aspects that emerge in the areas of physical activity, sports and gymnastics. • Keeping a continuous and close eye on what is happening in international sport and gymnastics. • Measuring and monitoring how approaches and strategies developed are pro gressing in the Swedish gymnastics movement. • Continuously auditing, evaluating and updating the model itself.
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The Gymnastics Federation – Supporting Associations The Gymnastics Federation brief includes providing service and support to member associations. This support covers both everyday activities and development issues. This is done in partnership between the national office and eight regional offices spread around the country. Support and Develop The Gymnastics Federation offers ongoing support and advice on all manner of issues concerning child, youth and adult gymnastics. These areas include, for example, association administration, association legal advice, medical advice and injury prevention measures, training concepts, competitions, training advice (including the psychosocial training environment) and courses, plus inspiration and advice for the Gymmix network. The Gymnastics Federation offers courses for organisation leaders, leaders/trainers/instructors, teachers and judges. Our work entails developing, revising and distributing educational material and assuring training opportunities. One area of responsibility is to ensure national competitions are held. This work is done in partnership with local arranger associations and competition committees for the various competition disciplines. The Gymnastics Federation is responsible for and organises national team activities. This includes training camps and get-togethers plus international competitions and championships. National team activities include working with team captains, relevant associations and leaders to create good performance environments for our elite gymnasts. The Federation also offers insurance solutions for member associations. To help boost development at associations, the Federation national office manages and allocates funding support within the parameters of Idrottslyftet (Sport – a good start in life) programme. Communicate, meet, influence Inspiring others to try gymnastics and spread the news about Swedish Gymnastics to both internal and external target groups is another important role. This is done via active PR and 24
our own digital channels. But sometimes, we need to meet which is why we organise forums, conventions and meetings for associations and their members. We also have a responsibility to help or facilitate external events hosted by e.g. the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) or the European Union of Gymnastics (UEG). Here, the Federation can act as a link and support for associations wishing to be involved. In cooperation with Lillsved Sports College and the support of the education council, the Gymnastics Federation plays an active role in public health. The Gymnastics Federation is also expected to pursue international and national lobbying, where areas such as the development model, public health and facilities are examples of where we actively lobby decision-makers at different levels.
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Swedish Gymnastics Focus Areas In the 2017 – 2018 period, the Gymnastics Federation is going to address five focus areas.
Improving access to facilities and attracting more leaders.
More participants staying, finding their way to and returning to gymnastics.
Training system review.
Long term and sustainable national teams.
More time for gymnastics.
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Improving access to facilities and attracting more leaders Many associations tell us they want to expand their activities. The challenge is often access to facilities and leaders. As such, access to facilities and initiatives to strengthen voluntary sector leadership will continue to be a focus area for Swedish Gymnastics in order to meet demand and develop our organisation, not least to assure the attraction powers of association affiliation. More participants staying, finding their way to and returning to gymnastics Swedish Gymnastics strives to be inclusive and open and accessible irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity or socio-economic background. This means that member associations are required to test and offer new forms of training which affects the association structure. One challenge for the associations is to be able to reach out and offer activities to anyone beyond the 10-12 age group or adults who would like to start exercising. A strategy for Train for an Active Life therefore needs to be developed. Training system review The development model and code of conduct should be a natural platform for the entire training system within Swedish Gymnastics. Here, our trainers play an important role. A revised training system should, based on a stock take and analysis, be decided upon, introduced and communicated. Long term and sustainable national teams The Gymnastics Federation is responsible for and organises national team activities. Support for gymnasts in the form of medical support, nutrition, psychology and physiology is to continue to be developed in a systematic way. This also includes continuously monitoring the psychosocial and physical training environment that gymnasts train and perform within. More time for gymnastics To enable member associations to spend more time on gymnastics and less time on administration, new digital solutions are to be tested and implemented. We are also going to make the administration of Swedish Gymnastics by the Gymnastics Federation more efficient.
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www.gymnastik.se info@gymnastik.se +46 8 699 60 00