Squad Acrobatics

A competitive acrobatic gymnastics program with opportunities for beginners to elite

Classes

Acrobatic gymnastics is a competitive team sport. It is a discipline of gymnastics that combines the strength, flexibility and agility of traditional gymnastics, the grace and beauty of dance and the excitement and thrill of the circus. Athletes work in teams of two, three or four to create spectacular routines choreographed to music. Routines include individual gymnastics elements, group pyramids and dynamic throws all tied together with synchronised and harmonious dance moves.

Athletes in our squad program also develop fantastic and lasting life skills including trust, respect, confidence, teamwork and an understanding of risk, consequence and time management. They develop the ability to commit to something and work hard to see it through. They develop a sense of belonging and a love of activity that sticks with them well after they ‘retire’ from competitive sport.

Acrobatics is a great sport for boys and girls.

Skylark Sports has a number of squads which cater for a wide variety of athletes.

Athletes just starting out will train once per week for 1.5 hours in our AcroStart squad.
Squads aiming for local and state level competitions will train 2 to 3 times per week for 2-3 hours.
Squads competing at national level competitions will train 3 to 4 times per week for 3 hours.
Squads working in the international stream will train 5 to 6 times per week for 2-4 hours.

Junior squads compete at one or two competitions a year. Our most senior athletes compete up to ten times a year. Competitions range from local events to State, National and World Championships.

Each athlete is assessed regularly to ensure that they are in a squad that is both challenging and rewarding for them. Physical talent is important, but attitude and commitment are essential for success in this sport.

AcroStart

1.5 hours 1 class per week

Our AcroStart Squad is an introductory and developmental squad program for young athletes (4-7 years) who have been identified as having the potential to excel in the sport of acrobatic gymnastics. This program is designed to give them the foundation they need to allow them to progress to a high level of competition. Athletes invited to join our AcroStart Squad are likely to display an aptitude for most sports. This program provides a great foundation for all sports, not just gymnastics, so it is a great start to any athletic career. Skylark Sports has three accelerate squads to cater to the different age groups in the program.

Athletes can join this squad at any time throughout the year as long as places are available. Joining this squad can be by invitation or assessment. The class structure is as follows:

Warm up and stretching
Flexibility training
Conditioning, strength and fitness training
Floor skills including rolls, handstands and cartwheels
Floor dance skills including kicks, jumps and turns
Bars and beam work
Top work (handles)
Trampoline
Cool down

Our AcroStart Squad athletes do not attend external competitions, but do participate in in-house testing days to give them some performance experience. Athletes will be invited to move to our tops or bases talent squad once they are able to perform the required skills, and when a place becomes available in a team.

AcroJunior

2.5 hours 2 classes per week

Our AcroJunior Squads are developmental squads designed to give athletes the foundation they need to progress to a high level in the sport of acrobatic gymnastics. In acrobatic gymnastics the smaller athlete in the group is the ‘top’ or the flyer, and the larger, stronger athletes are the ‘base or middle’. In AcroJunior Squad the focus is predominantly on individual training, however athletes are grouped into partnerships to learn acrobatic skills and routines for introductory level competitions. Athletes compete in up to 3 local competitions throughout the competition season, which is generally during terms 2 and 3 each year. The structure of the class changes throughout the year dependent upon upcoming events and will include:

Warm up and stretching
Flexibility training
Conditioning, strength and fitness training
Floor skills including rolls, handstands, cartwheels, walkovers, roundoffs, handsprings and back flips
Floor dance skills including kicks, jumps and turns
Base work (throwing, catching and balancing)
Top work (handles)
Groups acrobatic gymnastic skills
Trampoline work
Routine work
Cool down

State & National

2.5-3 hours 3 classes per week

Our State Squad and National Squad make up our senior squad program. Athletes work in teams within the National Level 3A-10 program and aim to represent the club at local competitions, the Victorian Championships and the National Club Championships and level 6 and above athletes will aim to qualify to the State Team to represent Victoria at the National Championships. Each group learns their own optional routines and as they move through the levels the complexity of the dance and the skills increases. A strong commitment from all partners is required to achieve success at this level of the sport.

Joining the squad program can be by invitation or assessment. The class structure changes throughout the year dependent upon upcoming events and will include:

Warm up and stretching
Flexibility training
Conditioning, strength and fitness training
Floor skills including rolls, handstands, cartwheels, walkovers, roundoffs, handsprings and back flips and somersaults
Floor dance skills including kicks, jumps, turns and leaps
Base work (throwing, catching and balancing)
Top work (handles)
Groups acrobatic gymnastic skills
Trampoline work
Routine work
Cool down

Elite

3 hours 5-6 classes per week

Our High Performance Program is designed for elite athletes who have both the talent and drive to achieve at the highest level of the sport of acrobatic gymnastics. Athletes compete in the National Levels 8-10 program, and the Junior and Senior International program. Athletes invited to this program must show dedication and commitment to their training, as well as a physical aptitude for the sport.

Athletes work in teams and aim to represent the club at local competitions, the Victorian Championships and the National Club Championships and level 6 and above athletes will aim to qualify to the State Team to represent Victoria at the National Championships. Athletes working in the International Stream aim to represent Australia at the World Championships and World Age Games. A strong commitment from all partners and their families is required to achieve success at this level of the sport.

Joining this squad can be by invitation or assessment. The class structure changes throughout the year dependent upon upcoming events and will include:

Warm up and stretching
Flexibility training
Conditioning, strength and fitness training
Floor skills including rolls, handstands, cartwheels, walkovers, roundoffs, handsprings and back flips and somersaults
Floor dance skills including kicks, jumps, turns and leaps
Base work (throwing, catching and balancing)
Top work (handles)
Groups acrobatic gymnastic skills
Trampoline work
Routine work
Cool down

Parent Experience

Skylark Sports is more than just a gymnastics class! Jasmin's vision to utilise gymnastics & circus training to create a holistic program for kids is genius. Her understanding of the importance of movement for both physical and mental development is inspirational. We love Skylark and the Team is always welcoming and inclusive.
Mel Gibbs
I have been involved with SKYLARK from its humble beginnings back in 2010 when my daughter Emily needed to find the ‘fun’ once again in her beloved sport. I have known Jaz for over 10 years now and have watched her take the dream of owning her own gym and make it evolve into what it is today, SKYLARK SPORTS. There were only two participants on that opening night back at Bialik College and from there it has become a vibrant, active, happy and fun filled club where almost anything goes at its new home in Mount Waverley! Emily started training as an Acrobat at the age of 5 alongside Jaz, who was then competing herself as a level 10 Acrobat. Jaz and her Trio represented Australia at an International competition in Belgium in 2006. ‘Acro’ has become a part of our lives with Emily now training at an International Level herself and hoping to have the opportunity to represent Australia at the same competition in Belgium in 2016. SKYLARK has so much to offer everyone from babies to adults, so if you’re looking for a little fun or you’re a serious competitor, I would highly recommend trying the SKYLARK way.
Robynne Smith A SKYLARK Mum
Acrobatic gymnastics is "the best thing ever" according to my young miss. She loves the challenges it brings and the tests of her abilities. Also making great friends and having loads of fun. I'd recommend Skylark Sports to anyone!
Ingrid

What's Next

If you are looking for a non-competitive option check out our gymnastics and ninja programs!