The Slave Lake Gymnastics Association is expanding its programming this year with a new Mini Gym/Ninja class for young children, while continuing to build its established cheer program.
The Mini Gym/Ninja class is aimed at children ages 3 to 5 and is designed to introduce them to movement and basic gymnastics skills in a fun environment.
Hannah Reid, head coach for cheerleading, says the idea came from wanting to create a program specifically for the association’s youngest athletes.
“Ages 3 to 5 are such an important time for developing basic movement skills, coordination and confidence,” Reid says.

Children in the program will be introduced to gymnastics fundamentals including jumping, balancing, rolling, climbing, swinging and basic tumbling.
The classes will also incorporate age-appropriate Ninja activities, including obstacle courses, crawling, jumping and challenges designed to encourage children to move their bodies and solve problems.

Reid says the goal is for each session to feel like an adventure while helping children develop foundational physical skills.
“We want children to leave each class feeling proud, excited and confident in what their bodies can do,” she says.
Along with coordination, strength, balance and body awareness, the program is intended to help children develop skills such as listening, taking turns, trying new things and persevering when they encounter something challenging.
The Ninja component complements the gymnastics activities by giving children opportunities to apply movement and body-control skills to obstacles and challenges, Reid says.

The association is also continuing to develop its cheer program, which has had a competitive team for several years.

Rather than starting a new program from scratch, Reid says the association wants to build on what is already established while creating more opportunities for local athletes.
“We want to create more opportunities for local athletes to participate, develop their skills and see how far they can take cheer,” she says.
The association hopes to continue growing its competitive team, including increasing the number of athletes involved and the range of skills and levels offered.
At the same time, recreational cheer is available for children who want to try the sport without making a commitment to competition.
This year, recreational cheer is being offered to children ages 3 to 5 as well as those ages 6 and older.

The younger program introduces children to cheer through movement, music, basic cheer motions, jumps, dance and age-appropriate tumbling.
For children ages 6 and older, the recreational program provides opportunities to develop skills in tumbling, dance, stunting, jumps and cheer routines without the commitment of competing.

Reid says having both recreational and competitive options allows athletes to participate at a level that suits their interests.

“Some children may just want to try cheer, have fun and learn new skills, while others may want to take their skills further and compete,” she says.
Over the coming months, the association hopes to continue developing its competitive program while maintaining a positive environment where athletes can challenge themselves and support their teammates.

Ultimately, Reid says the goal is to give more local children the opportunity to participate in cheer and compete while remaining part of a team in their own community.

William Hetherington
Lakeside Leader