For Parents What is OTIP

[SarahJ]

I've been looking everywhere for information beyond the training camp details. What exactly is OTIP? Is this a new name for ODP?
Note: I know it is the Ontario Talent Identification Program but is it still JO? Are there still medaled competitions? Why would my daughter have beeen recommend for this camp? Thanks so much for any help.

 

[raenndrops]

From what I have read, basically it is a way for them to "keep an eye" on potential talent. They go to camp. There (at least last year) was an option where the best of the gymnasts at the first 3 camps were invited to an additional 2-day camp.
Going would mean that your DD would get training from high level coaches.
If it is anything like TOPS in the US, then the girls can still compete JO for their club so that wouldn't change.

Hopefully someone "in the know" about Ontario Gymnastics will chime in because I am guessing based on a quick google search.

 

[Bug's mom]

I've been looking everywhere for information beyond the training camp details. What exactly is OTIP? Is this a new name for ODP?
Note: I know it is the Ontario Talent Identification Program but is it still JO? Are there still medaled competitions? Why would my daughter have beeen recommend for this camp? Thanks so much for any help.

OTIP is a series of training camps for the little ones, but not a replacement for ODP. DD has been to two of the training camps; one last season and the first one this season. There are 3 regular camps through the season, culminating in a 'select only' camp for invitees chosen from the regular camps. DD was invited to Select camp last season but our gym had a schedule conflict...it took place middle of March between end of optional qualifiers and Championships. Our gym was focused on readying optionals for Championships and wrapping up compulsory qualifiers. IMO, Select camp is better later in the year, but nobody asked me yet From what we've seen so far, attending doesn't qualify you for anything else, and it's not competitive. But perhaps our experience would be different if DD attended Select camp.

Its up to a gym to select athletes it wants to take, provided they meet age/level criteria. Max 4 athletes per gym, minimum L4, aged 8-10 (maybe 7-10?), first come first served basis to a maximum number of participants. There's a waiting list for 11 year olds, if there's any space left. The girls had a good time at camp (our gym sent 4 to each), met new friends and got to train with different coaches and specialists. From our experience to date, the experience is their award...as it should be (again, IMO). They go back to the gym and back to their regularly scheduled programming.

 

[SarahJ]

OTIP is a series of training camps for the little ones, but not a replacement for ODP. DD has been to two of the training camps; one last season and the first one this season. There are 3 regular camps through the season, culminating in a 'select only' camp for invitees chosen from the regular camps. DD was invited to Select camp last season but our gym had a schedule conflict...it took place middle of March between end of optional qualifiers and Championships. Our gym was focused on readying optionals for Championships and wrapping up compulsory qualifiers. IMO, Select camp is better later in the year, but nobody asked me yet From what we've seen so far, attending doesn't qualify you for anything else, and it's not competitive. But perhaps our experience would be different if DD attended Select camp.

Its up to a gym to select athletes it wants to take, provided they meet age/level criteria. Max 4 athletes per gym, minimum L4, aged 8-10 (maybe 7-10?), first come first served basis to a maximum number of participants. There's a waiting list for 11 year olds, if there's any space left. The girls had a good time at camp (our gym sent 4 to each), met new friends and got to train with different coaches and specialists. From our experience to date, the experience is their award...as it should be (again, IMO). They go back to the gym and back to their regularly scheduled programming.

Thanks for the info. My DD and another girl, both 8, training JOLV6 were invited. Both girls with 5 medals, special awards and 1st AA at comps. Was concerned in my reading up that OTIP looks more like ODP than OCP. I would be sad if my DD is not going through comp stream anymore. Raised some questions. But, it sounds like a wonderful experience.