National pathway · Elite
Squad 1
5 sessions · 20+ hrs/wk · FIG / GBR. National and international targets. Home Nation squad.
Elite Squad
Women's Artistic (WAG)
Precision, artistry, and the pursuit of excellence. Strength, flexibility, spatial awareness, and competitive skills across vault, bars, beam, and floor, from Development through to FIG level.
New to BGC? Start with the general pack
This pack covers everything WAG-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 Women's Artistic
Women's Artistic Gymnastics at BGC is a demanding, rewarding, and beautifully structured programme. From Development through to FIG level, gymnasts develop strength, flexibility, spatial awareness, and competitive skills across bars, beam, vault, and floor.
Every squad is coached with precision; training is high in discipline and high in ambition. Every gymnast who joins us has potential, and every session is an opportunity to build on it.
AA
Head of WAG · view in staff directory →
Anton Angelski
Anton leads the WAG programme and oversees squad development, competition strategy, and coach direction across all levels. Your first point of contact for programme-level questions. anton.angelski@basingstokegym.co.uk
Your squad coaches
Each group has a dedicated lead coach; you'll be introduced when your place is confirmed. To see the full team, visit our Staff Directory.
Groups & progression
Squad Pathway
WAG squads are placed by coaches based on ability, potential, attendance, and commitment, not age alone. Each group has a defined training volume and competition level.
National pathway
Squad 2
4–5 sessions · 15+ hrs/wk · FIG Potentials. Classic Challenge, Challenge Cup. High attendance required.
National pathway
Squad 3
3–4 sessions · 12+ hrs/wk · NDP Regional & National. Higher value skills, Classic Challenge routines.
Regional & Club
Club 1 & Club 2
2 sessions · 6 hrs/wk · NDP Club & Regional. Shared floor routine. First competition experiences.
Pre-squad development
Advance Girls
Ages 6+. Building readiness for Club 1 & 2.
Entry point
Development WAG
Ages 4+ · 2–3 sessions · 4–8 hrs/wk. Foundation skills, shapes & flexibility.
Competition pathway
Club → Regional → National → Challenge FIG → FIG → GBR. Progression by readiness, not age. Placements reviewed termly.
How placement decisions are made
Selection & Squad Placement
Squad placement at BGC is a coaching decision, made carefully and in the gymnast's best interest. There is no single trial or test; coaches observe gymnasts consistently across sessions.
How gymnasts are assessed
Technical readiness
Skill level, shape quality, consistency on apparatus. Are the foundations there to safely build the next stage?
Physical conditioning
Strength, flexibility, endurance, the prerequisites for higher-volume training. Conditioning gaps are addressed before promotion.
Attendance & commitment
Consistent attendance is essential. Gymnasts with attendance below squad minimums will not be promoted, regardless of ability.
Attitude in the gym
Coachability, focus, resilience when things go wrong. Squad gymnasts must be able to take feedback and keep working.
Reviews & squad moves
Placements are reviewed termly. Moves can be in either direction, to a higher squad when ready, or down where attendance, commitment, or readiness drops below the required level. Families receive a minimum of two weeks' notice of any change.
All decisions are made by the coaching team together. If you have a question about your gymnast's placement, email Anton directly; please don't raise it in reception or in WhatsApp groups.
The year ahead
Events & Competitions
The WAG season follows the British Gymnastics NDP and FIG calendar. Competitions vary by squad and selection; some gymnasts compete 2–3 times a year, others up to 6+ events. A full 52-week calendar is issued in December / early January once dates are confirmed by BG.
Feb – March
National Grades
Most gymnasts.
Feb – March
Home Nations
FIG group only.
March
British Championships
Qualified gymnasts only.
September
Healthy Living
Most gymnasts.
September
Classic Challenge Pathway
Most gymnasts.
Various
Internationals
GBR & Home Nations members only.
End of Year Show (April)
Themed annual production open to squad gymnasts, a celebration of the season.
Awards Night (end of season)
Season celebration recognising gymnast achievements across all squads.
Competition etiquette
Parents are not permitted in the competition arena. Do not communicate with gymnasts during their event. Photography may be restricted; check with organisers. Do not share footage containing other gymnasts on social media. Gymnasts must arrive in competition leotard and club tracksuit, with all equipment.
What to bring, what to wear
Attire & Equipment
Attire rules are set by British Gymnastics and the club. WAG has specific rules around leotards, hair, and jewellery that differ from other disciplines.
Short-sleeved leotard (~£50)
Younger gymnasts: training and competition.
Older gymnasts: training only.
All gymnasts: required for Sunday sessions and all club events including the annual show. Speak to your coach to order.
Long-sleeved leotard (~£95)
Older gymnasts: competition only.
All training leotards must have a back for coaches to support safely. Cropped tops are not permitted at any session.
Always apply
• Hair in a bun – arrive ready before the session (also competition hair style)
• Nails kept short – apparatus safety and safe spotting
• Leotard must have a back – required for safe coaching support
• Earrings: within 6 weeks of piercing, cover with tape. After 6 weeks, must be removed. No exceptions.
• No other jewellery at any time, including during stretches
Bring to every session
• Water bottle (sealed, water only, no glass)
• Socks for warm-up
• Handguards (when coach agrees) – check weekly for rips. Includes loops and gloves where applicable. FIG gymnasts must carry a spare set.
• Chalk in a small sealed box – all gymnasts supply their own
• Spare hair grips and bands
• Optional: skipping rope, Dynobands, ankle weights, water spray
Non-compliance with BG attire rules invalidates insurance cover. If unsure, ask your coach.
How we train together
Rules & Expectations
WAG training demands discipline, focus, and commitment from gymnasts and families. These are the habits that make the difference.
Training structure – every session
Warm-up → Conditioning → Flexibility → Apparatus → Cool-down → Tidy. Every phase matters. Gymnasts are expected to know the structure, push through conditioning, and contribute to tidying at the end. Do not skip the cool-down.
80% attendance minimum
We require a minimum of 80% attendance across the season. Missing training impacts routine consistency and may affect squad placement. Absences must be for valid reasons; holidays are not included.
Pre-competition commitment
No missed sessions in the 4 weeks before a competition, except unavoidable family events (weddings, funerals). Holidays within this window are not permitted. Gymnasts who miss sessions before an event may not be entered.
Compulsory summer closure
Compulsory two-week break at the start of the school summer holidays each year. Additional closures are published on the website calendar. Please check before booking travel.
Phones & behaviour
Phones are not permitted during sessions, including break times, to protect all gymnasts' privacy. Respect teammates and coaches. Negative parent communication in reception or group chats will not be tolerated; concerns must be raised directly with the coach.
Routines
New individual floor routines are commissioned at £100; this covers creation and 1-to-1 teaching outside normal training hours. Club 1 & 2 gymnasts share a floor routine at no cost.
Leaving the squad
One month's written notice is required. Kit may be resold via the squad WhatsApp groups. Contact Anton Angelski to discuss.
Welfare first
If anything is troubling your gymnast physically, emotionally, or socially, raise it early. A quiet word with the coach or the welfare team is always the right first step.
Who to contact & how
Communication Channels
Use the channel that fits the situation. Coaches are not expected to reply instantly outside working hours; all messages will be checked regularly and answered promptly.
Head of WAG – Anton Angelski
Programme questions, competition queries, squad matters. Anton is your primary contact.
anton.angelski@basingstokegym.co.ukWelfare & concerns
Safeguarding, welfare, or any concern you wish to raise confidentially.
welfare@basingstokegym.co.ukUrgent – same day
Late arrivals, early collections, or time-sensitive matters during opening hours.
01256 352858 (front desk)General club enquiries
Admissions, membership, and anything not WAG-specific.
info@basingstokegym.co.ukWhatsApp squad groups
Each squad has a dedicated WhatsApp group for time-sensitive logistics. Use for late arrivals, absences, and short-notice changes, not for concerns or complaints (those go to the coach by email).
The WAG WhatsApp number is 07925 695876; this is for group messages only, do not call this number. Please don't contact coaches on their personal WhatsApp or Messenger.
Costs & how to pay
Fees & Invoicing
WAG involves costs beyond training fees. Here is a clear breakdown of what to expect so there are no surprises across the year.
Training fees
Training fees depend on your squad's weekly training hours. Payment is by Direct Debit. The first payment is a top-up for the remaining sessions in your joining month.
Financial assistance is available; contact Karen Holmes in confidence.
Fee queries
Contact our Finance Manager for invoicing questions or to discuss payment plans: karen.holmes@basingstokegym.co.uk
Kit & additional costs
Short-sleeved club leotard~£50
Long-sleeved competition leotard~£95
New individual floor routine£100
Club 1 & 2 shared floor routineFree
Competition entry + £10 admin fee per entry£40–100
Travel & accommodation (if applicable)At cost
Competition entries and kit are invoiced via Xero; create a free Xero Me account to track invoices. Only selected gymnasts 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 WAG squad through our online portal, you've agreed to the Parent Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Policy.
The squad commitments described in this pack (80% attendance, pre-competition windows, attire requirements, compulsory summer closure) are the standards you've signed up to by joining WAG. There's nothing to sign or return.
One month's written notice is required to leave the squad.