Willow Grove YMCA Gymnastics Team
Join the Twisters!
About the Team
The Willow Grove YMCA Twisters provides an excellent gymnastics experience to children who participate to have fun while developing physical fitness, coordination, strength, and flexibility. For the gymnast who is interested in competing, the opportunity exists on one of the many different teams, and is handled on an individual basis. Our coaching staff is unique in the gymnastics world. Selected for their genuine love of children as well as their technical expertise, you will not find better coaches anywhere in the sport.
We participate in the Eastern Pennsylvania YMCA Girls Gymnastics League and USA Gymnastics. Gymnasts compete in league meets, invitational meets, and championship meets throughout each season. We also offer competitive gymnastics clinics and camps during the summer.
Our goal is to provide a positive, safe, fun environment where each gymnast can learn and grow, both as an individual gymnast and as a teammate. We strive to have each gymnast enjoy being a member of our team, achieve their individual competitive gymnastics goals to the best of their abilities, and simply enjoy gymnastics.
Join the team!
Team Prerequisites
Every gymnast must meet one of the following prerequisites before joining the Twisters Gymnastics Team. These requirements make sure our team members have a strong foundation, which supports their success and safety in our competitive program. Both pathways include an evaluation.
- Youth Class Experience: Gymnasts with no team experience should start in our youth class program to build fundamental skills. A minimum of one year in our classes is required to be considered for the team. Class gymnasts are evaluated in the spring by invitation (see Evaluation Information).
- Prior Competitive Experience: Gymnasts who have competed at another club may be eligible to join the team without the one-year class requirement. Please provide relevant documentation of your competitive experience or be prepared to discuss it with our coaching staff during the evaluation.
Registration Information
Joining the Team: All new gymnasts must complete an evaluation before joining the team. See Evaluation Information for dates and how to get started.
Team Levels & Season: We offer girls and boys teams at many levels. Our year begins with preseason training in the fall, followed by the competition season, which starts in November. Post-season runs from March through July, and how long each gymnast competes depends on which championship meets she or he qualifies for. Below are the minimum training requirements for each level. Some gymnasts may train more depending on their level and team placement.
- Level 2, 3, 4, Silver, Gold: Minimum of 2 days per week, 3 hours per practice
- Level 5, 6, Platinum: Minimum of 3 days per week, 3 hours per practice
- Level 7, Diamond: Minimum of 4 days per week, 3 hours per practice
- Level 8, 9, 10: Minimum of 5 days per week, 3 hours per practice
Evaluation Information
When:
- Class gymnasts (no team experience): Evaluations are held each spring, April through May. Please email Coach Mo at Mubarak.Simmons@philaymca.org to express interest. You will receive an invitation once evaluation dates are finalized.
- Gymnasts with competitive experience: Evaluations are available April through June. Please email Coach Mo to schedule.
Spring evaluations are for the following season. Evaluations are available for every team level we offer, and placement is based on skill, readiness, and available space.
What to Bring: Girls should wear a leotard. Boys should wear a shirt and shorts. Hair should be pulled back and jewelry removed. We recommend that all gymnasts bring a water bottle.
What to Expect: Gymnasts being evaluated will practice with the appropriate age group and level for two weeks. Evaluation times match the regular practice times for that level. They will train on all events and receive instruction from our team coaches.
What Happens Next: After the evaluation period, our coaching staff will follow up with families about placement and next steps.
