First established in 1969, Gymnastics Canada is the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in Canada. Gymnastics Canada works closely with the twelve Provincial Federations and the 700 local clubs to provide a broad range of programs and services to meet the needs of all participants. From athlete development to coaching and judging education, Gymnastics Canada sets the operating standards and practices for the sport in Canada. Our mandate is to promote and provide positive and diverse gymnastics experience through the delivery of quality and safe gymnastics programming.
Gymnastics is a multi-discipline sport with two identities, one as a foundation sport and the other as a competitive sport. Gymnastics in Canada is governed by Gymnastics Canada Gymnastique (GCG), which is a federation of Provincial/Territorial members composed of clubs and individual members.
VISION STATEMENT
Canada is recognized as a world leading gymnastics country through the achievement of international sport excellence, growth of the sport and demonstrated sport organizational excellence.
MISSION
We lead and govern the Canadian gymnastics system, direct High Performance in pursuit of international excellence and guide and /or partner in the development of quality and innovative gymnastics programming.
CORE VALUES
Gymnastics Canada (GCG) is athlete focused and believes in operating by the core values of:
Accountability
Collaboration and Teamwork
Diversity
Excellence
Integrity and Fairness
Safety
Statistics:
- Gymnastics is recognized as one of the three foundation sports for all other sports by the IOC and Sport Canada;
- Gymnastics Canada is a collective of 700 clubs & 12 Provincial Gymnastics Federations;
- 250,000 individual members (400,000 to 600,000 estimated household members);
- Organic annual growth rate of approximately 5%;
- 90% of membership is enrolled in CANGYM recreational program;
- 20,000 competitive gymnasts across Canada;
- 7,500 registered certified coaches
- 65% female, 35% male gymnasts
- Age breakdown of gymnasts:
< 6: 27%
6-12: 55%
13-18:10%
>18:8%
What is it about gymnastics that has captured people’s imaginations since its origins close to 5,000 years ago? It is gymnastics’ unique combination of grace, flexibility, agility, balance, power and strength. Gymnastics’ balance of artistry and acrobatics has earned it a place at the very forefront of the Olympic movement, since the first modern Games in 1896. The same attraction that draws people to watch Olympic gymnasticson television what inspires people of all ages to participate in the sport. In Canada there are more than 200,000 registered members of Gymnastics Canada. Worldwide, an astounding 30 million people are members of their country’s gymnastics federation.
What is it that makes gymnastics so popular? It is the fact that everyone can find something meaningful and beneficial in the sport, regardless of your age, you ability, or the ambitiousness of your goals. There is room for everyone in this sport, from the recreational gymnast who participates just for fun, to the high performance international competitor who is drawn by the allure of a gold medal. Gymnastics not only helps you improve your fitness, it also demands mental focus, and provides a valuable outlet for personal expression. You’re never too young, or too old, to gain something positive from the sport.
You owe it to yourself, or to your child, to find out how gymnastics can promote self-esteem, self-discipline, and form the healthy foundation for an active lifestyle. Speak to your local gymnastics club or visit our web site (www.gymcan.org) to find out how you can best participate in this wonderful sport.
- All Sports
