Gymnastics Australia

Updated 11th December 2006

COMPLETE THE MRC BEFORE 31ST DECEMBER 2006 AT THE MEMBER RATE OF $33
THREE WEEKS ONLY REMAINING...

Gymnastics Australia strongly encourages all technical members to complete the MRC before the 31st December 2006. Those choosing this option will do so as current technical members and be eligible to complete the resource for $33. If you wait until 1st January 2007 or later to certify, you will have to pay the non-member rate of $77 as all technical memberships expire at 12 midnight on 31st December 2006.

This means that all Technical members (other than those who accredited for the first time in 2006*) must certify in the MRC, before they can renew their technical membership in 2007.

A number of technical members have already certified and have gained three updating points in doing so. Current technical members can log in to the resource at www.mrc.gymnastics.org.au using their technical membership ID number and date of birth. The cost for current members to certify is $33. Whilst you may presently log into the resource for awareness at no cost, you will need to log in for certification in order to successfully complete the resource and renew your technical membership in 2007.

In June 2005, Gymnastics Australia launched the MRC. The resource focuses on how as coaches, judges and administrators of gymnastics clubs and associations we can identify and manage risk within our sport.

The resource provides:-

An awareness of your role in managing the risks associated with coaching
Reduces the likelihood of litigation
Reduces the likelihood of injury/damage to your athletes and others

Whilst the resource focuses on managing the risks from a coaching perspective, it has "good practice" messages for all personnel involved in our sport. It has been clearly shown across a variety of industries, including sport, that a blend of common sense and strategic actions can help keep people safe and ensure enjoyable experiences for all participants.

The MRC forms part of Gymnastics Australia's commitment to risk management and is fully supported by both Boards and management of Gymnastics Australia and State Associations. As such, Gymnastics Australia has made successful completion of the MRC (certification), a compulsory requirement for all Technical members by 1st January 2007.

Gymnastics Australia looks forward to your continued involvement in our sport and is keen to ensure that every opportunity is made for its members to be well educated and kept abreast of the latest risk management strategies, to keep our sport healthy and enjoyable for all who choose to participate.

*Those persons who became Technical members for the first time in 2006 do not need to certify in MRC before renewing in 2007. Technical members falling into this category will however be required to certify before renewing their technical membership in 2008.

FAQ RECEIVED BY GYMNASTICS AUSTRALIA ABOUT THE COMPLETION OF THE MRC
With 2007 Technical membership renewals now with members, Gymnastics Australia has prepared the following list of frequently asked questions about the Managing the Risks of Coaching resource.

1. How do I access the MRC?
The MRC can only be done online. To access go to http://www.mrc.gymnastics.org.au
If you do not have access to the internet at home, please contact with your gymnastics club, local library, state association or GA to make an appointment to use the internet.

2. How do I log in to the MRC?
Technical Members log in using their Technical Membership ID number and date of birth.
Members who have not paid their membership for the current year are therefore not entitled to the members' rate and will need to log in as a non member, following the prompts on the MRC home page.

3. How do I pay for the MRC?
The MRC can only be paid for online with a credit card. GA is unable to accept payment via cheque in the mail or credit card over the phone. It is up to each member to make contact with a family member, friend or club to use a credit card if they do not have their own card. The MRC costs $33 for current Technical Members and $77 for non members.

4. When must I complete the MRC by?
All Technical Members must complete the MRC prior to renewing for 2007. It is not a requirement for those members who first accredited in 2006 however they are advised to complete it as soon as possible.

GA is advising all current Technical Members to complete the MRC prior to 31st December 2006 because if they have not logged in prior to this date they will need to log in as a non member and pay the non member fee.

5. I can't get through to the payment gateway in MRC!
GA has found that there seems to be a problem with members using Mozilla Firefox as their Internet Browser. Mozilla does not allow access to the payment gateway.

Members will therefore need to use Internet Explorer to access the payment gateway. GA has looked into the problem and there is no immediate fix. The only option is to use Internet Explorer to access the payment gateway.

6. I do not feel comfortable putting my credit card details over the internet!
Gymnastics Australia has made sure that the MRC website is extremely secure. Versign is a secure payment gateway provider which is also used by banks for their internet banking websites. Verisign is the leading payment gateway provider globally and offers the strongest security in the industry.
Gymnastics Australia has invested a significant amount of money to ensure that members' financial details are protected.

AND FINALLY PLEASE DO NOT FORGET THIS IMPORTANT STEP

7. What do I do once I have completed the quizzes and paid for the resource?
Once you have completed the quizzes and paid for the resource you need to go back into the quizzes page and download the certificate. This automatically updates your member record in the National membership Database. For those that login as a non member you must send in your certificate to Gymnastics Australia so that your members record on iMIS can be updated manually.

G-RENEW LAUNCHED SUCCESSFULLY
Gymnastics Australia was pleased to receive positive feedback from members of its G-renew trial who have been invited to renew their 2007 Technical Membership online.

Those selected as part of the trial have been provided with an opportunity to view their contact details online, check their updating and accreditations, and renew/pay for their 2007 Technical Membership using a credit card via a secure payment gateway. No manual forms, no postage - no waiting!

The following is a sample of the feedback received to date:

"Just letting you know that I have made payment via the new billing method and did so without any problems. I received immediate confirmation and all appears well. Hope that all other participants come back with positive results. The payment method was straight forward and easy to use."

GA will continue to monitor the success of the G-Renew trial with a plan to open online technical membership to all technical members who meet the following criteria by 31st October 2007:-

- have completed their annual updating requirements
- make payment with a credit card
- have an email address

If you would like to renew online in the future, you might like to take note these criteria.

INFORMATION REGARDING RED CROSS AND ST JOHN AMBULANCE SENIOR AND LEVEL 2 FIRST AID COURSES
Any Level 2 or Senior First Aid Certificates issued by St John Ambulance or Australian Red Cross are valid for three years on successful completion of the course.

A Refresher course (or update) must be completed prior to the certificate expiry date, if this is not done the full course will have to be completed again.

There is no leniency with this. As soon as your certificate expires if you have not completed an update you must redo the entire course.

MEN'S ARTISTIC - MAG PROGRAM CD VERSION 4
The revised version of the MAG Program CD (for application from 01 Jan 2007) has been finalised by the MAG National SMC. This revision was required to take into account the change from deductive judging of the compulsory routines that applied in the last code to the new accumulative judging. It also includes all changes requested by the EMC to the Level 8 routines and any changes agreed by the State MAG SMCs.

Version 4 will replace all previous versions and will be available for sale from GA in the New Year. Please note that the GA Office will re-open on Monday 8th January 2006. Both the CD and printed manual will be made available for individual sale.

MEN'S ARTISTIC - NATIONAL JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT COACH
Job No 1054 $53 833 - $58 140 per annum

The Australian Institute of Sport requires a Men's artistic gymnastics coach to assist in the preparation of junior and senior Australian gymnasts with the appropriate skills and competencies required to achieve success in international gymnastics. Under the direction of the AIS/National Coach and in conjunction with the Gymnastics Australia Elite Management Committee (EMC), you will undertake quality control and skill development of athletes in underpinning programs of the SIS/SAS network and coordinate the national junior program, incorporating education and communication for all coaches in junior programs.

The successful applicant will have NCAS level 2 accreditation or overseas equivalent, tertiary qualifications in coaching and extensive experience coaching at an elite centre preparing athletes for international gymnastic competition and demonstrated experience in administration and the management of sport programs.

Position is available 1 January 2007 until 31 December 2008

Information and Job Description: www.ausport.gov.au/jobs or Job Description will be posted if name, address and job number are left on answering machine Tel: 02 6214 1437.

In addition to the salary stated job attracts superannuation and employment benefits including use of the gymnasium, childcare and parking facilities available on site.

For enquiries about the job after reading the job description contact:
Lisa Gowthorp, Tel 02 6214 1804 www.ausport.gov.au/jobs

How to Apply: Applications should address at least the Selection Criteria section of the Job Description and include the application form attached to the job description. Please submit applications by email to recruitment@ausport.gov.au by 5.00pm on Monday, 11 December 2006, or telephone 02 6214 1328 if you have difficulty with this service. All applications will be acknowledged electronically.

Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia.

WOMEN'S ARTISTIC - AYOF TEAM ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to the following athletes who will form the WAG Team to represent Australian at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF):-

Yves Berryman - VIC
Emma Dennis - VIC
Amber Fulljames - QLD
Tanya Harle - VIC
Amelia James - NSW
Tian Molendijk - WA
Maryanne Monckton - NSW
Kerby Purcell - VIC

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS - AYOF TEAM ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to the following athletes who will form the RG Team to represent Australian at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF):-

Johanna Bear - QLD
Zena Foale-Banks - QLD
Renee Griffin - WA
Chloe Hayes - WA
Keziah Oliver - QLD
Danielle Prince - QLD
Cody-Sue Turco - WA
Christina Wijeratne - QLD

Non Travelling Reserve
Jaelle Cohen - NSW

TRAMPOLINE SPORTS - UPDATED TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
The 2004-2008 Trampoline Technical Regulations have been updated. The updated Regulations were approved by the Gymnastics Australia Board and are now available for download from the Gymnastics Australia website. Please click here to view a copy.

Gymnastics Australia acknowledges the ongoing financial support of the Australian Sports Commission
in the delivery of a "whole of sport" approach to gymnastic related services and benefits.

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