Advanced – entry level
Advanced groups
Higher-difficulty routines, external regional competitions. Gymnasts develop presentation, consistency, and competitive mindset.
Advanced Competitive
Advanced Gymnastics
The next level of competitive gymnastics. Higher-difficulty routines, external regional competitions, and the thrill of representing BGC at your best. Welcome to the Advanced programme.
New to BGC? Start with the general pack
This pack covers everything Advanced-specific. For how the club works as a whole (communication, car park, events, codes & policies, fees admin) read the BGC General Welcome Pack.
Discipline Head Coach
Welcome to Advanced
The Advanced programme is the step up from Development; gymnasts here train with greater focus and regularity, develop higher-difficulty competition routines, and represent the club at external regional events.
It is a serious commitment, but one that brings with it new skills, a stronger competitive mindset, and the thrill of performing at your best. Every session is structured, purposeful and built around your progression.
EU
Head of Advanced · view in staff directory →
Emma Upton
Emma leads the Advanced competitive groups and is your primary point of contact for training, competitions, progression, and all Advanced programme matters. emma.upton@basingstokegym.co.uk
Groups & progression
Class Pathway
The Advanced programme is the step beyond Development; gymnasts here compete externally, develop higher-difficulty routines, and may be invited to trial for a full discipline squad.
Disciplines available
General · Tumbling · Trampoline · Aerobics
Each discipline follows the British Gymnastics award scheme and competition structure at the appropriate level.
Squad pathway – by coach invitation
Advanced gymnasts demonstrating outstanding ability and commitment may be invited to trial for a full squad: TeamGym, Tumbling, Women's / Men's Artistic, or Aerobic. Progression to a squad pathway is always led by the coaching team and confirmed with families in advance.
Placement is at coach discretion, based on ability, attitude, and readiness, not age or years in the group.
The year ahead
Events & Competitions
The Advanced competitive year combines in-house showcase events with external regional competitions. Selection for external events is at coach discretion, based on readiness and consistency.
In-house events
First weekend in July
Club Festival
Flagship in-house competition open to all competitive gymnasts. Medals, certificates, professional photos, and Cartwheel Café. Entry £6.
April
End of Year Show
Advanced and squad gymnasts perform in our themed annual production, a showcase of the season's training across all disciplines.
Every term
Award Weeks
Badge celebrations where gymnasts receive their British Gymnastics awards in front of families.
External competitions
Advanced gymnasts may be selected to enter external regional competitions across the year. Competition dates, venues, and session times are published on the website calendar and sent via discipline channels as soon as details are confirmed.
About competition timings
Organisers typically release session timings two weeks before an event. We share information as soon as we receive it; please don't worry if details feel close to the date.
Selection & etiquette
Selection for external competitions is at coach discretion, based on readiness, consistency, and attitude. At competitions, gymnasts should not be contacted during their performance and footage of other gymnasts must not be shared without consent.
What to wear, what to bring
Attire & Equipment
As a competitive gymnast, attire rules apply both in training and at events. The distinction between training and competition wear matters; please read both sections carefully.
Training sessions
A leotard is the preferred option for all training sessions. Fitted shorts or leggings may be worn over a leotard. Fitted tops must be tucked in and not restrict movement. A back is required for safe spotting.
Competitions
Club competition leotard required at all external events. Club tracksuit when collecting medals or representing BGC. BG rules apply; non-compliance may invalidate insurance cover.
Always apply
• No earrings or jewellery during training or competitions
• Nails kept short, apparatus safety
• Long hair tied back, additional grips in kit bag
• No baggy tops, tight-fitting only
• No phones in the gym, even during breaks
Equipment – every session
• Named water bottle (no glass)
• Discipline-specific kit (handguards for bars, etc.)
• Chalk in a small box where required
• Spare leotard / shorts in the kit bag
• Light snack for between phases of long sessions
Who to contact & how
Communication Channels
Use the right channel for each type of query. Coaches check messages between sessions; please don't expect instant replies during training hours, evenings, or weekends.
Head Coach – Emma Upton
Training and pathway questions, competition queries, group placement, absences, and all programme matters.
emma.upton@basingstokegym.co.ukWelfare & concerns
Safeguarding or any concern to raise confidentially. The welfare team is independent from coaching and all communications are treated with full discretion.
welfare@basingstokegym.co.ukUrgent – same day
Late arrivals, early collections, or time-sensitive matters during opening hours only. For concerns or issues, always use email, not social media or late-night messages.
01256 352858 (front desk)WhatsApp groups – draft
Some Advanced groups use WhatsApp for time-sensitive logistics around competitions and training changes. Your coach will add you to the relevant group if applicable to your gymnast's class.
If WhatsApp invite links become available for the Advanced groups, they will be added here. For concerns or issues, always use email, never WhatsApp.
Costs & how to pay
Fees & Invoicing
Advanced gymnasts have training fees plus additional costs for kit and external competitions. Clear breakdown below so there are no surprises.
Training fees
Based on weekly sessions, invoiced through Xero at the start of each term. Create a free Xero Me account to view, track, and pay online.
Financial assistance available in confidence: karen.holmes@basingstokegym.co.uk.
Competition & kit costs
• Club competition leotard – TBC
• Club tracksuit – TBC
• BG annual membership – paid direct to BG
• External competition entry – £20–40 + £10 admin fee per entry
• Travel & accommodation – at cost where applicable
Only gymnasts selected for a competition are charged entry fees.
Competition entries and kit are invoiced separately via Xero. Changes after an organiser's deadline may not be refundable; see our Refund & Cancellation Policy.
You've already agreed; this pack is just here to help
By booking your child into the Advanced programme through our online portal, you've agreed to the Parent Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Policy.
The Advanced expectations described in this pack (coach-discretion selection, attire requirements, training and competition commitments) are the standards you've signed up to by joining the programme. There's nothing to sign or return. If anything changes, we'll let you know.