Today was an important day for our clubs nationwide as they began to return to sport as part of Phase 3 of the governments reopening of society & business.
Commenting on the importance of today’s return GI CEO Ciaran Gallagher commented…
‘ Our clubs have been working diligently over the past 4 weeks preparing for today. The Gymnastics Ireland Return to Sport (RTS) plan is the only government approved plan for the sport of gymnastics in the country and is solely for Gymnastics Ireland member clubs only. Our clubs have been working through a detailed 6 step compliance process framework which in addition to having formal government approval is also formally approved for operation by our insurers Marsh. In completing all the necessary steps our clubs are clearly demonstrating their commitment to the safety of our members. Our clubs have the full back-up of Gymnastics Ireland support/resources in operating within this new covid-19 environment. While everyone is taking a slow and measured approach to returning it was been great to see our gymnasts stepping back into the sport they love today.’
Only official GI member clubs who have completed the 6-step compliance process are approved for operation within the framework of the government endorsed GI RTS plan. All GI member clubs are listed via the ‘club-finder’ section of our website – https://www.gymnasticsireland.com/member-clubs
All our members will receive an email this evening with the password for our members area which you can use if you wish to book gymnasts in for the Summer Term. This will be sent via mailchimp so please check your spam folders in case it lands in there.
We won’t be taking bookings from non-members for the Summer Term as we have a lot of classes to make up due to the Covid-19 Closure. We may have places for new members to join in September. Please keep an eye on our website later in the summer for details.
I am having difficulty accessing our Facebook page to put updates there. Apologies about that, I’m trying to get it sorted out … 🤞
We are so happy to inform you all that we intend to re-open the club on 29th June.Â
We have taken this decision after completing the Gymnastics Ireland (GI) Return to Sport (RTS) education, risk assessment & compliance process that has been conducted behind the scenes since the start of June. Through this GI led process we have developed a thorough club plan for operating in a covid-19 environment in line with the government ‘Roadmap to Reopening Society & Business’ in addition to the ‘Return to Work Safely’ protocol.
In completing the GI RTS process and declaring our compliance we have taken the following key steps to ensure the safety of our members:
Appointed a staff member to act as Club Covid Lead – MARY MORRISSEY (mary@saltocork.ie)
Attended the Gymnastics Ireland RTS Education & Compliance Webinar
Completed a detailed club risk assessment and mitigation plan
Adjusted the club setting to cater for social distancing
Designated an ‘isolation area’ and process for dealing with any suspected cases
Are conducting induction training for all club staff
Developed an enhanced club cleaning programme
We have made a decision to run weekly classes but not summer camps. Anyone who paid a deposit or in full for summer camps will be reimbursed.Â
These classes will only be open to current members. We may have spaces for new members for the September term.
We will run an 8-week summer term. As everyone has credit from the February-June term, the cost of the summer term will be taken from this. Any remaining balance will be put towards the September term. For anyone not doing the summer term, their credit can be put against the September term. I hope this makes sense …Â Â
As always, the term fee is for your child’s place in the class and not his/her attendance. Refunds are not given for classes not attended.
Classes will take place at the following times:
Intermediate/Advanced (open to those who were attending Monday 5pm, Monday 6.30pm & Wednesday 6pm classes only):Â Monday: 2.00-3.30pm; 3.30-5.00pm; 5.00-6.30pm.
Open Age (Primary school): Wednesday 5.00-6.00pm; Saturday 9.00-10.00am; Saturday 1.00-2.00pm.
 Teen Gym (open to those who were attending the Friday 7pm class only): Friday 5.00-6.30pm.
Additional classes will be added in on Saturday afternoon if necessary.
The trampoline squad will also operate, those gymnasts will received information separately.
For the summer term, children should be booked in based on their school class for 2019/20 rather than the class they will be going into in September.
Next week, you will have the opportunity to book your child in for one of these classes (this online system is currently being developed so please bear with me). There will be a maximum of 24 gymnasts per class.
Sport Ireland has confirmed that gymnastics clubs can re-open on the 29th of June (Phase 3) once they have followed the necessary Return to Sport (RTS) guidelines. Under these guidelines, gymnastics clubs must complete a thorough risk assessment and prepare a mitigation plan confirming that we can operate a club programme in line with social distancing requirements and the government’s ‘Return to Work Safely’ protocol. Clubs must submit their plans to Gymnastics Ireland (GI) for approval prior to opening.
Fees that were paid for Term 2 can be used over the summer (July/August) and/or against the term commencing in September.
As we are all aware, we will be living with Covid-19 for some time to come. Further disruption may occur if extreme social distancing measures need to be re-introduced. Changes to our class schedule will also be necessary as there will be less children per class to allow for social distancing.
We, the coaches, really miss the gymnasts and are looking forward to seeing them again.
Later this month we will provide more information and you will have the opportunity to book your child(ren) in if you are happy to do so.
We have been advised by Gymnastics Ireland that the earliest start date for gymnastics clubs is 29th June (phase 3) and this may only be for certain categories of gymnasts. Â
Gymnastics Ireland (GI) aim to publish the GI Return to Sport Plan by the end of May. Using these guidelines, we will then need to carefully consider whether we can realistically operate and still protect the health of our members.Â
We are very keen to get going as soon as we can but obviously everyone’s health is the main priority at the moment.Â
I will be in touch again when I have more information. In the meantime, I hope you all keep well and enjoy the (hopefully) good weather.Â
Salto Gymnastics will remain closed until at least Tuesday 5th May.
In line with government advice, all gymnastics clubs will continue to remain closed for now. Our closure is now extended to 5th May and will be extended further if necessary.
We’re looking forward to being back in the gym together as soon as possible. We plan to recommence classes as soon as we are allowed and will run the remaining classes for this term. We will not be giving refunds for fees as we plan to make up all the classes.
Refunds will be given to those who paid deposits for the Easter camp and also to those who paid entry fees for the trampoline qualifier.Â
We will continue to post ideas promoting physical activity and how the gymnasts can maintain their fitness levels. Gymnasts should not be trying to learn new skills, we can work on those when we’re back in the gym. Check out our Facebook page and Instagram for ideas.
Starting tomorrow (Tues 14th April), Gymnastics Ireland is launching a series of daily ‘Takeover’ fitness workouts through their Facebook page to help members keep fit and active safely while at home. This would be worth checking out!
We’ll be looking forward to seeing you all back in the gym as soon as we’re allowed to re-open.
Salto Gymnastics will remain closed until 19th April at least.
Following instruction from Gymnastics Ireland we will extend our closure to 19th April. The closure will be extended further if necessary.
We will continue to post ideas to promote physical activity and encourage the gymnasts to maintain their fitness levels. Gymnasts should be careful though and not take risks that could result in injury. Check out our Facebook page and Instagram for ideas.
We will be looking forward to seeing you all back in the gym as soon as we are allowed to re-open.
In the meantime … stay safe, stay home, stay healthy and stay active.
