MONROE - The Green County Gems gymnastics team will have a chance to showcase their talent on the home mat.
The Green County Gems are hosting the Stars of the Future Gymnastics Invitational Saturday at the Green County YMCA. The invitational will include 165 gymnasts from seven YMCA gymnastic programs.
"I think when you watch gymnastics on TV your elite college level gymnasts make it look easy," said Dawn Lederman, the Green County YMCA gymnastics program director. "It's not. To me gymnastics is one of the toughest sports out there. You have to be mentally tough, physically tough, strong and flexible. They have to practice year round to progress and maintain their skills."
The Green County Gems use the invitational as a chance to build on their strong gymnastics program.
And it's a major fundraiser for the club.
Admission for children is $2, $3 for adults and $7 for a family for the day and it includes a program book. Concessions will be available and a raffle is ongoing at the Green County YMCA all week.
The raffle winner will be announced following the last session of competition Saturday. The winner of the raffle doesn't need to be present to win.
"This is our big fund-raiser for the year," Lederman said.
Lederman said all the money raised will go towards the gymnastics program including buying and replacing new equipment. The gymnastics program needed a new vaulting system for Level 2, 3 and 4 gymnasts and purchased one for about $3,400 this year.
"Safety is our No. 1 concern," she said. "We wouldn't be able to have this without it. It (the old vaulting system) would not pass inspection. Proceeds from this will help pay for that."
Gymnasts will compete on all events - the uneven bars, the balance beam, floor and the vault.
Individual and team awards will be awarded.
The top 30 percent in each age group at each level will win awards.
"On average, we travel two hours to compete," Lederman said. "A lot of their family and grandparents don't travel. Some of their teachers are coming. They are excited and nervous to perform for them."
The Green County Gems are hosting the Stars of the Future Gymnastics Invitational Saturday at the Green County YMCA. The invitational will include 165 gymnasts from seven YMCA gymnastic programs.
"I think when you watch gymnastics on TV your elite college level gymnasts make it look easy," said Dawn Lederman, the Green County YMCA gymnastics program director. "It's not. To me gymnastics is one of the toughest sports out there. You have to be mentally tough, physically tough, strong and flexible. They have to practice year round to progress and maintain their skills."
The Green County Gems use the invitational as a chance to build on their strong gymnastics program.
And it's a major fundraiser for the club.
Admission for children is $2, $3 for adults and $7 for a family for the day and it includes a program book. Concessions will be available and a raffle is ongoing at the Green County YMCA all week.
The raffle winner will be announced following the last session of competition Saturday. The winner of the raffle doesn't need to be present to win.
"This is our big fund-raiser for the year," Lederman said.
Lederman said all the money raised will go towards the gymnastics program including buying and replacing new equipment. The gymnastics program needed a new vaulting system for Level 2, 3 and 4 gymnasts and purchased one for about $3,400 this year.
"Safety is our No. 1 concern," she said. "We wouldn't be able to have this without it. It (the old vaulting system) would not pass inspection. Proceeds from this will help pay for that."
Gymnasts will compete on all events - the uneven bars, the balance beam, floor and the vault.
Individual and team awards will be awarded.
The top 30 percent in each age group at each level will win awards.
"On average, we travel two hours to compete," Lederman said. "A lot of their family and grandparents don't travel. Some of their teachers are coming. They are excited and nervous to perform for them."