JUNIOR SQUAD
Junior Squad is Swan Academy's competitive gymnastics programme for gymnasts who are serious about their development. Training starts at a minimum of 2.5 hours per week and increases up to 8 hours or more depending on the gymnast's level, goals and competition schedule. Led by Sophie Cripps and Svetlana, sessions are intense, structured and focused on building competition-ready gymnasts across all four apparatus. This is where talent meets hard work. Gymnasts in Junior Squad are expected to train consistently, push themselves and represent the club at competitions throughout the year. Entry is by invitation only following assessment from the coaching team.
What Your Child Will Experience:
A minimum of 2.5 hours training per week, increasing up to 8+ hours as gymnasts progress
Elite-level coaching from Svetlana, Sophie Cripps & Serena Batemen
Intensive skill development and routine building across floor, beam, bars and vault
Competition preparation including routine polishing, mental preparation and performance practice
Advanced strength and conditioning programmes
Regular assessments with detailed technical feedback
A driven, focused training environment surrounded by committed teammates
WHO THIS IS FOR:
Junior Squad is for gymnasts who have been invited by the coaching team based on ability, attitude and commitment. Most gymnasts progress from Development Squad or Advance 4 All, though gymnasts joining from other clubs may be assessed for direct entry. This programme is for children who are passionate about gymnastics, willing to put in the hours and ready to compete regularly. It requires dedication from both the gymnast and their family.
Skills They Will Learn:
Advanced tumbling including back flics, front and back tucks, twisting elements and combination passes
Complex bar routines with giants, release moves and advanced dismounts
Beam series with connected acrobatic and dance elements at competition standard
Vault progressions across multiple vault types
Competition-standard floor routines combining tumbling, choreography and presentation
Advanced strength, flexibility and conditioning at a level that supports long-term athletic development
Mental resilience, competition mindset and performance under pressure
Badges and Assessments:
Junior Squad gymnasts are assessed against competition-level benchmarks on an ongoing basis. Coaches track technical development, strength, flexibility and competition readiness. Feedback is detailed and individual, with clear goals set for each training block. Progression within the squad is based on consistent performance, attitude and commitment.
Shows and Competitions:
Competition is a core part of Junior Squad. Gymnasts compete regularly throughout the year at regional events, invitational competitions and the Swan Ruby Cup, Swan Emerald Cup and Swan Diamond Cup internal pathway. Coaches build and polish individual competition routines across all apparatus and dedicate specific training time to competition preparation in the weeks before events. Junior Squad gymnasts also perform in the annual club showcase. Representing Swan Academy at competition is an expectation of the programme.
Watching Weeks:
Parents are invited to watch sessions each term. Coaches will discuss individual progress, competition plans, training hours and long-term development pathways with families.
Junior Squad is Stevenage's premier competitive gymnastics programme for young gymnasts training up to 8+ hours per week at Swan Academy.
Junior Squad is Swan Academy's competitive gymnastics programme for gymnasts who are serious about their development. Training starts at a minimum of 2.5 hours per week and increases up to 8 hours or more depending on the gymnast's level, goals and competition schedule. Led by Sophie Cripps and Svetlana, sessions are intense, structured and focused on building competition-ready gymnasts across all four apparatus. This is where talent meets hard work. Gymnasts in Junior Squad are expected to train consistently, push themselves and represent the club at competitions throughout the year. Entry is by invitation only following assessment from the coaching team.
What Your Child Will Experience:
A minimum of 2.5 hours training per week, increasing up to 8+ hours as gymnasts progress
Elite-level coaching from Svetlana, Sophie Cripps & Serena Batemen
Intensive skill development and routine building across floor, beam, bars and vault
Competition preparation including routine polishing, mental preparation and performance practice
Advanced strength and conditioning programmes
Regular assessments with detailed technical feedback
A driven, focused training environment surrounded by committed teammates
WHO THIS IS FOR:
Junior Squad is for gymnasts who have been invited by the coaching team based on ability, attitude and commitment. Most gymnasts progress from Development Squad or Advance 4 All, though gymnasts joining from other clubs may be assessed for direct entry. This programme is for children who are passionate about gymnastics, willing to put in the hours and ready to compete regularly. It requires dedication from both the gymnast and their family.
Skills They Will Learn:
Advanced tumbling including back flics, front and back tucks, twisting elements and combination passes
Complex bar routines with giants, release moves and advanced dismounts
Beam series with connected acrobatic and dance elements at competition standard
Vault progressions across multiple vault types
Competition-standard floor routines combining tumbling, choreography and presentation
Advanced strength, flexibility and conditioning at a level that supports long-term athletic development
Mental resilience, competition mindset and performance under pressure
Badges and Assessments:
Junior Squad gymnasts are assessed against competition-level benchmarks on an ongoing basis. Coaches track technical development, strength, flexibility and competition readiness. Feedback is detailed and individual, with clear goals set for each training block. Progression within the squad is based on consistent performance, attitude and commitment.
Shows and Competitions:
Competition is a core part of Junior Squad. Gymnasts compete regularly throughout the year at regional events, invitational competitions and the Swan Ruby Cup, Swan Emerald Cup and Swan Diamond Cup internal pathway. Coaches build and polish individual competition routines across all apparatus and dedicate specific training time to competition preparation in the weeks before events. Junior Squad gymnasts also perform in the annual club showcase. Representing Swan Academy at competition is an expectation of the programme.
Watching Weeks:
Parents are invited to watch sessions each term. Coaches will discuss individual progress, competition plans, training hours and long-term development pathways with families.
Junior Squad is Stevenage's premier competitive gymnastics programme for young gymnasts training up to 8+ hours per week at Swan Academy.
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Time to create you new story
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
Minimum 2.5 hours coached training per week, up to 8+ hours
Training across floor, beam, bars and vault
Advanced strength and conditioning programme
Competition routine building and preparation
Entry to internal and external competitions
Minimum 2.5 hours coached training per week, up to 8+ hours
Training across floor, beam, bars and vault
Advanced strength and conditioning programme
Competition routine building and preparation
Entry to internal and external competitions
Optional
Competition entry fees and travel costs charged separately
Club leotard and competition wear required and available to purchase
Gymnasts are expected to attend all scheduled sessions unless agreed with coaches
Additional training hours may be added as gymnasts progress
Entry to Junior Squad is by invitation and assessment only
Competition entry fees and travel costs charged separately
Club leotard and competition wear required and available to purchase
Gymnasts are expected to attend all scheduled sessions unless agreed with coaches
Additional training hours may be added as gymnasts progress
Entry to Junior Squad is by invitation and assessment only
