Four members of the Gymnastics Federation of The Bahamas recently participated in the Pan American Gymnastics Union (PAGU) Women's Developmental Training Camp for junior gymnasts that was held in Houston, Texas at the USA Gymnastics National Team Training Center.
Athletes Candace Murphy from Bahamas Gymnastics Parents Booster Club and Sydney Wells from Nassau Nastics, along with coaches Trevor Ramsey and Lavette Saunders, took part in the four-day camp that began on November 2.
The sessions were put on for athletes ages 16 and under and focused on the fundamentals of gymnastics and upgrading skill and routines to meet the expectations of the code of points. The coaches also went through specialized sessions that focused on conditioning, peaking and talent identification, as well as the application of the new code of points into their programs.
Code of points is a rulebook that defines the scoring system for each level of competition in gymnastics. There is no unified, international code of points; every oversight organization designs and employs its own unique code of points.
Federation President Barbara Thompson said she is looking forward to seeing some improvement and growth in the two athletes; she thinks the coaches' participation does wonders for the sport of gymnastics in The Bahamas.
"This is a great opportunity to give our athletes exposure," she said. "They will be introduced to practices they don't see here in the country, and they will learn new moves and strategies to help with their improvement. It is also important that the coaches took advantage of the situation and learned as much as they could while at the camp as well."
Members of the United States national team staff served as instructors for the sessions; those members include Dan Baker, Valeri Liukin, Marvin Sharp, Tom Forser, Tammy Biggs, Luninita Garcy and Antonia Markova.
Although it is not official as yet, Thompson said that the federation is looking to plan an event for the end of the year. She said that the members of the federation will meet sometime this week and come up with the final verdict.

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