04 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, May 3, 2000 Uris Gak& Collection A n g e la S c h e m p p is h a r d a t w o rk , h e r e , p r a c tis in g fo r th is w e e k 's p r o v in c ia l c h a m p io n s h ip s Oakville Gymnastics (Continued from page D1) IS EXPANDING Custom designed cakes for all occasions · Wedding cakes · Birthday cakes · Personalized cakes to suit any imagination Cake baking & decorating classes for: · Children · Adults · Seniors 1 0 % off cakes or classes W ith this coupon 3ris G a k c (joikctlon 785 Pacific Rd., Unit 17, Oakville (off W yecroft Rd., East of Bronte Rd.) GciA& Collection GaJe (905) 465-3729 · < * (905) 510-8231 Photo by Riziero Vertolli www.lriscakes.com "Our bid had the support of the town and the fact that we had some key sponsors already in the fold prior to the bid -- that was very posi tive." It's a huge undertaking, requiring the efforts of more than 150 volunteers and the support o f businesses and corporations too numerous to list. "The business community in Oakville has really got behind this event," he said. The success of last year's show has paved the way for even more hard earned support. "Last year, I think we rang in at about $23,000 total sponsorship from the community and this year we're up to around $30,000." Hosting the top event on the provincial cal endar has many positives, he explained. "In the sport of gymnastics, there are not many opportunities to: · "one, showcase your athletes; · "and two, to raise some funds for the club. These meets, if done properly, can be used as a fundraiser. So the profits that this generates, we are going to put in a fund for the building of our new facility. Even though it's a few years down the road, we have to start now." Last year, he said the event raised $19,000 for the non-profit club which is run by a volun teer board of directors -- all of them parents of the athletes. As for this year, he hopes their greater expe rience can lead to an even more successful event. "I'm not greedy. I would like at least the same. So much is determined by the gate and concessions. We had a good gate last year and we had good concessions. I think if last year repeats itself, that we should make over the $20,000 mark." The chance to showcase the sport is equally important, both in terms of offering their own elite athletes the opportunity to perform right here at home, in the top provincial meet, and also to promote the sport locally. "What amazes me with these young athletes -- they're aged 9-12 at this competition -- is their com mitment, vis-a-vis, fitting it in with the other things like school work and family life. It's impressive." For many of these budding elite gymnasts, it's their first meet of this level as provincial competition is only allowed in this sport from nine years of age and on. "We're just expecting them to go for the experience," stressed head coach Andrew Deslippe. "Anything more than that's going to be a bonus for them." The commitment of these young athletes is immense, "usually four hours over four nights -- 16 hours," said coach Deslippe. "And then these girls choose to do the extra day which brings them to 20, and then they also do private lessons. "It just depends on their direction and where they want to go. If they want it we try and provide it for them." The athletes are getting excited about competing in such a prestigious event before a home crowd, and the coaches try to keep them on an even keel, he said. "We try and keep the routines con sistent the month before with a few skills that we may possibly add in. But as we get closer to the competi tion, we tend not to make alter ations." The provincial championship meet is a good opportunity for local fami lies to check out the sport and to see if their own family members may be interested. One thing to keep in mind, is not to be intimidated. These girls repre sent the best of the best from across the province in their particular divi sion. But this elite level only represents the tip of the iceberg in terms of what the Antoinettes offer. In the period of a year, close to 1,800 members troop through the Antoinettes cavernous gym -- and only about 10 per cent "make up our competitive program," said Hussey. And still fewer are "competing and training" at the top provincial level. "I think what amazes most people is the age that the kids start at. We start them at 18 months. And it's all recreational. And what happens is that out of those 1,000 people that come through those doors, when they hit the age of six, and sometimes as early as five, they have a lot of choic es. "They can continue to do it recreationally, they can do it recreationally with a bit of competition in what we call our inter-club program, or they can enter into the provincial stream. We have pre-competitive groups -- they're not allowed to compete provincially until the age of nine." The club is also expanding in other areas. "One of the biggest things that has happened over the last few years is the number of boys that are now involved with the club," said Hussey. "I would say that our membership is now getting pretty close to 20 per cent boys. As well, power tumbling "is a real up and coming sport in gymnastics. "And we've done very well in the last two years in the provincials with our power tumbling kids." CRAFTSMAN! SATURDAY, MAY 6 , 2000 Times to be locally merchandised SEARS PARKING LOT ALL TRACTORS HAVE A 2-YEAR WARRANTY* LIVE TRACTOR DEMONSTRATIONS... TRY THEM OUT! LOW DEMO PRICES GREAT SAVINGS ON BRAND NEW 1999 TRACTORS W hile quantities last. 'Details in store SAVE s700 CRAFTSMAN8 20.5-H P 4 2 " 6-SPEED LAWN TRACTOR GREAT PRICE! 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