Every group
Development scheme
Each Advanced group runs a development scheme that tracks every gymnast's individual progress, alongside the British Gymnastics award and competition structure for that discipline.
Advanced Competitive
Advanced Gymnastics
The first step into competitive gymnastics. Five Advanced groups (TeamGym, Tumble, Aerobics, Girls, and Boys), higher-difficulty routines, external county and 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.
Head of Competitive
Welcome to Advanced
The Advanced programme is the step up from Development and recreational classes; gymnasts here train with greater focus and regularity, develop higher-difficulty competition routines, and represent the club at external county and 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 Competitive · view in staff directory →
Emma U
Emma leads the Competitive tier, every Advanced group, 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 and recreational classes; gymnasts here compete externally, develop higher-difficulty routines, and may be invited to trial for a full Elite squad. There are five Advanced groups, one for each competitive discipline.
Ages 5+ · Coach recommended
Advanced TeamGym
Entry-level competitive TeamGym (micros). Tumble passes and trampette vaults, competing as a team under British Gymnastics TeamGym levels. Pathway into Elite TeamGym.
Ages 8+ · Talent ID
Advanced Tumble
Power tumbling on the sprung track; height, control, and consistency on progressively harder passes, competing at county level. Pathway into Elite Tumbling.
Ages 5+ · Talent ID
Advanced Aerobics (IAC)
Group routines to music under the British Gymnastics Introductory Aerobic Code, levels 1 to 5, in under and over 11 age groups. Pathway into Elite Aerobics.
Ages 5+ · Talent ID
Advanced Girls
Entry-level Women's Artistic on all four apparatus, following the British Gymnastics Rise Development Programme and competing at county level. Pathway into Elite WAG.
Ages 5+ · Talent ID
Advanced Boys
Entry-level Men's Artistic on all six apparatus, following the British Gymnastics Rise Development Programme and competing at county level. Pathway into Elite MAG.
How gymnasts join
Entry is by coach recommendation or through a Talent ID session; most gymnasts move across from General Gym, recreational Tumbling or Aerobics, or a Development group. Talent ID sessions run during some school holidays and are open to every member.
Squad pathway – by coach invitation
Advanced gymnasts demonstrating outstanding ability and commitment may be invited to trial for the matching Elite squad: TeamGym, Tumbling, Aerobics, Women's Artistic, or Men's Artistic. Progression 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 events with external county and regional competitions. Selection for external events is at coach discretion, based on readiness and consistency.
In-house events
End of year · winter term
Advanced Showcase
A performance for every Advanced group, where gymnasts present their competition routines to a live audience in the club gym. No scores; a celebration of the season's work. About the Showcase →
First weekend in July
Club Festival
Flagship in-house competition open to all competitive gymnasts. Medals, certificates, professional photos, and Cartwheel Café. Entry £6.
December / January
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 competitions across the year: county-level events for Girls, Boys, and Tumble, IAC competitions for Aerobics, and Micro TeamGym events for TeamGym, where gymnasts compete as a team. 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. TeamGym and Aerobics compete as a team, so matching club kit is essential for every member. 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
How we train together
Rules & Expectations
Advanced gymnastics asks more of your gymnast than recreational classes. These habits, kept consistently, are what carry gymnasts from their first county competition to a squad trial.
Training structure
Every session follows a defined structure: warm-up → conditioning → apparatus → cool-down → tidy. Gymnasts are expected to know the structure, commit to every phase, and contribute to tidying at the end.
Attendance & arrival
Arrive on time with all required equipment. Consistent attendance is essential; gaps in training directly affect skill retention and competition readiness. If your gymnast will be absent, notify Emma or the club as early as possible.
Pre-competition commitment
No missed sessions in the four weeks before a competition except for unavoidable circumstances. Pre-planned absences in this period must be discussed with Emma in advance. Gymnasts who miss sessions before an event may not be entered. In TeamGym and Aerobics an absence affects the whole team's routine, not just one gymnast.
Mindset in the gym
Listen to coaching points and apply them immediately. Stay focused between turns; mental rehearsal is as important as the attempt itself. Resilience on a difficult day is as valued as brilliance on a good one.
Behaviour & media
Respect teammates, coaches, and equipment. Phones are not permitted during sessions. Do not post training videos or photos containing other gymnasts without their consent.
Holidays & closures
Closure weeks are published on the website calendar. Check before booking travel; holidays close to competitions are strongly discouraged.
Welfare first
If anything is troubling your gymnast physically, emotionally, or socially, please raise it early with Emma or the welfare team. A conversation is always better than waiting.
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 of Competitive – Emma U
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
Training fees are collected monthly by Direct Debit. The first payment is a top-up covering the remaining sessions in the month you join.
If you need to change or leave a class, one month's written notice is required. Our Refund & Cancellation Policy applies.
Financial assistance available in confidence: karen.holmes@basingstokegym.co.uk.
Competition & kit costs
• Club competition leotard – ~£40–46
• Competition catsuit (TeamGym only) – ~£130
• Club tracksuit / jacket – 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. Only gymnasts selected for a competition are charged entry fees. 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.