- Moderator
- #21
The emphasis of gymnastics in Australia is different. The standards expected at the lower levels are much much higher. Not only must the Australian girls do harder skills at lower levels but the deductions are the same as the elite gymnasts. However, that doesn't make our system better. The USA are much better at developing elite gymnasts and keeping kids in the sport.
You go to many gyms in Australia and you will notice one thing missing. Teenagers. Very few gyms have a level 7-10 program at all. Those that do rarely have a big one. In Australia the kids are expected to do the harder skills at the lower levels and do longer hours at lower levels. So that means they are older at lower levels. Which means far less ever get to the higher levels.
In Australia the average age of a level 4 gymnast is 10 years old. And it is very rare to have one younger than age 8. In the USA there are lots that are just 6 and 7, this is almost never seen here.
The average level 6 is about 12 or 13. The average level 8 is about 15. In the USA the kids are a fraction of their age. Because they are not burned out too early. They are not training 6 hours a week and competing constantly in level 1. They arent doing 12 hours a week by level 3 and 18 hours by level 4 like many of our girls are.
You go to many gyms in Australia and you will notice one thing missing. Teenagers. Very few gyms have a level 7-10 program at all. Those that do rarely have a big one. In Australia the kids are expected to do the harder skills at the lower levels and do longer hours at lower levels. So that means they are older at lower levels. Which means far less ever get to the higher levels.
In Australia the average age of a level 4 gymnast is 10 years old. And it is very rare to have one younger than age 8. In the USA there are lots that are just 6 and 7, this is almost never seen here.
The average level 6 is about 12 or 13. The average level 8 is about 15. In the USA the kids are a fraction of their age. Because they are not burned out too early. They are not training 6 hours a week and competing constantly in level 1. They arent doing 12 hours a week by level 3 and 18 hours by level 4 like many of our girls are.