Welcome and congratulations on joining the Panther Paws Gymnastics Team! You and your child are about to undergo an exciting experience. We are very enthusiastic about our program and are dedicated to all team members.
This team manual is designed to answer questions and explain the rules and policies for the competitive gymnastics program. Competitive gymnastics is a unique sport requiring the support of the whole family in order for the gymnast to be successful. This need not to be a difficult or demanding task, only one that shows each family is interested in and committed to providing their child with a positive learning experience through the competitive aspect of gymnastics.
Philosophy: Recognize that each child has individual abilities and needs. Our goal is to provide a positive competitive experience by giving each gymnast the optimal and personalized training in order to maximize her individual potential. Our moto is “Positive Thoughts Become Positive Results.”
Eligibility: The Panther Paw Program will serve gymnasts 6-21 yrs old & passing Team Assessment & Placement requirements provided by coaching staff. It is a prerequisite to have passed 50% of Level 4 Community Ed Gymnastics.
Team Placements, Routines, & Advancement: The Panther Paws program is collectively one large team, with separate divisions (upper, middle, and lower). If your child earns a place on the Panther Paws team, your gymnast will be placed on the team based on the assessment results. Gymnasts will remain on that team for the entire season. Final Team placement will be announced in email September 2nd, 2025 (unless otherwise informed).
- Routines: All gymnasts will be provided a basic routine for competition. These routines are developed by the head coach(es). Each gymnast will keep a routine for at least two years (with the exception of a new routine through a one on one) with appropriate modification and adjustments to reflect rule changes, and gymnasts' skill improvements.
- Advancement: Your child will advance through our program when they meet specific criteria set forth by our coaching staff. A gymnast must have mastered specific skills, strength and flexibility requirements. Along with these requirements, the coaches will give consideration to the physical, mental, and emotional readiness of the gymnast. The gymnast attitude, work ethic, and commitment level will also help determine appropriate placements of each gymnast. It is important to achieve success consistently at a particular skill level before moving onto the next level. By following these guidelines it will also provide a safe environment for all.
Attendance: Gymnasts are expected to attend all scheduled practices (56 per season/8 per month). Please utilize given calendars, including attachments in emails, and on communication apps. If a gymnast is not able to attend practice, it is the gymnast's &/or parents' responsibility to let the head coaches know she will be absent. Please text Traci at 320-510-3323 or Trisha at 320-510-0107 or email pantherpawsgym@gmail.com to let them know your availability. Practices are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8:30 PM. However, due to a home GSL Varsity Gymnastics meet, some practices may be held on a Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday as a make-up date. Mondays and Wednesday evenings are not available for make-ups due to Community Ed practices. All practices will be held in Gym 3 at the Panther Field House in Glencoe, unless otherwise noted.
Communication: Coaches use the BAND app, email, text/phone call, and Facebook which is managed by a parent. Hours of text/call communication are M-F 8am-9pm, unless it is urgent. You may contact us over the weekend, but we may not respond until Monday. The fb page is PANTHER PAWS GYMNASTICS 2013-2023/2024 (need to request to be a member). This website is for parents of the gymnast only. There is a PANTHER PAWS GYMNASTICS FANS PAGE that other family members and friends can use to support your gymnast and the program. There will also be a calling tree created for weather related cancellations for COACHES TO USE to notify to parents of any practice changes. Panther Paws will be canceled for the evening if school has been closed due to weather.
☆We have a WEBSITE, please find us at: https://pantherpawsgym.wixsite.com/pantherpawsgymnastic/the-ppg-coaches
Our Facebook pages are:
TEAM MEMBERS ONLY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1391568497753226/?ref=share
NON-FAMILY MEMBERS: https://www.facebook.com/PantherPawsGymnastics
Injury and Medical Information: Coaches will assist in responding to injuries that occur during practice and competitions. It is the gymnast responsibility to report all injuries to a coach. The coach will then notify the parent and complete an accident report. If injured outside of practices/meets, it is the parents'/ gymnasts' responsibility to report the injury to the head coaches.
- Injured athletes must attend practices. They will be assigned a modified workout, keeping within doctor restrictions. A doctor’s note is required to return to training with no restrictions after the injury. With each additional change in the prognosis of an injury, a doctors note must be provided to the coach to present to the Director for further evaluation of the gymnast and her ability to practice or compete safely within the given restrictions.
- Coaches will provide ice/ice packs and basic first aid.
- Gymnasts are required to have their own supplies and equipment to address on-going injuries.
- At no time can the Panther Paw Coaching Staff provide or administer any medication to a gymnast.
Illness: Any gymnast, who has become ill during practice, must report this to a head coach and seek proper assistance in notifying the parent and arranging a ride home.
- Any illness, open wounds, rashes, lice, or other contagious illnesses or infections MUST be reported to the coaches ASAP to get the gym sanitized in a timely manner. The head coach(es) are responsible for communicating this information with Community Education.
- Gymnasts with illness and/or rash must be clear of illness or on medication for at least 24 hours.
Financial: Program Fee $1050 - $150/month due by the 1st of the Month (September-March) - Families will be required to provide a credit card to keep on file. The fee is subject to change as this program is based on numbers. In the event the credit card is declined, there will be a $30 service fee and you will be contacted regarding alternative payment. Any family who fails to pay their monthly dues will be ineligible to continue participation in practice and competition until the account is in good standing or arrangements have been made with Community Education.
- Anyone who chooses not to complete the season will be required to pay the remaining fee immediately.
- In the event of a season ending injury, a doctors note indicating that you are out for the season is required. You will also be required to pay 50% of the remaining balance of the program fee.
Competition Season: September 2, 2025 – February 24th, 2026, with Divisions and Individuals February 26th through March 1st. Competition season runs November through February, and meets may start as soon as mid-late November.
Registration deadline is September 1, 2025. This program is a 6-month commitment with 7 months of payment (to lower monthly fees) with 8 practices per month for a total of 56 practices per season. A gymnast, who has been placed on the team and does not complete the season, will not be allowed to try out for the following season unless approved by Community Education.
Meet Fees: All gymnast can attend up to 8 meets, but no less than 4, to be eligible for any Divisional and Individual Meets. 3 predetermined away meet fee’s will be included in the monthly fee along with all 5 home meets.
Uniforms and Apparel: All team members will be required to purchase a team competition leotard, warmup leotard, and warm-up jacket and capris, unless the gymnast is still able to wear the same uniform from the 2024-2025 season, or exchange/purchase someone else's gently used apparel.
Private Lessons: Private lessons will help your gymnast work on specific skills, routines, or to prepare for an upcoming competition. Lessons are $35+ per hour. To register, please call Community Education at 320-864-2690. Once registered, a coach will contact you regarding scheduling your practice. All dates/ times must be set on the calendar at payment and PAID IN FULL.
End of Season Banquet: There will be an end of season banquet for all gymnasts on FRIDAY, APRIL 24th, 2026 @ 6:00-7:30/8PM. There will be awards and a video/picture slideshow summarizing the season.
PLEASE SIGN :
Financial: Program Fee $1050 - $150/month due by the 1st of the Month (September-March) - Families will be required to provide a credit card to keep on file. The fee is subject to change as this program is based on numbers. In the event the credit card is declined, there will be a $30 service fee and you will be contacted regarding alternative payment. Any family who fails to pay their monthly dues will be ineligible to continue participation in practice and competition until the account is in good standing or arrangements have been made with Community Education.
- Anyone who chooses not to complete the season will be required to pay the remaining fee immediately.
- In the event of a season ending injury, a doctors note indicating that you are out for the season is required. You will also be required to pay 50% of the remaining balance of the program fee.
Communication: Coaches use the BAND app, email, text/phone call, and Facebook which is managed by a parent. Hours of text/call communication are M-F 8am-9pm, unless it is urgent. You may contact us over the weekend, but we may not respond until Monday. The fb page is PANTHER PAWS GYMNASTICS 2013-2025/2026 (need to request to be a member). There will also be a calling tree created for weather related cancellations. Panther Paws will be canceled for the evening if school has been closed due to weather.
I have read and agree to the 2025-2026 Panther Paws Handbook.