Meet Information & Conduct

As we are all getting ready to compete again or for the first time, below is a top 10 list for those that have never been to a competition and a reminder for those of us that have but maybe want a refresher!

1. Please NEVER call or email gyms directly for any reason. Host gyms communicate with the TPA and/or Surgent's. We pass the start time information to you as soon as we get it and post it on the TPA website (surgentstpa.com) and communicate any other important information as we receive it. If you have meet specific feedback, again, please communicate that with the TPA and/or DJ directly (not the host gym).

2. Bring your daughter to the competition at the designated report time and stay through the completion of ALL the awards.

3. NEVER go to a meet and try to enter your daughter on the spot if she was not previously entered.

4. From athlete check in through to the awards celebration your daughter’s coach is in charge. If an injury occurs, the coach will evaluate the injury and notify you if/when assistance is needed.

5. Gymnasts should not begin warming up gymnastics until their coach or another Surgent's coach directs them to warm up. Parents are not allowed to step in as the coach and begin warming up the team (sounds obvious but its happened).

6. You may pack a light snack and water bottle in your daughter’s gym bag. The coach will let your daughter know when the appropriate time to eat/drink is. Please do not call your child away from the team to buy them snacks or ask about scores.

7. Do not call out to your child or any other gymnasts during the meet. The coach needs their full attention.

8. There is no flash photography during meets. This can put the gymnasts at risk of injury. If it happens repeatedly the meet director will issue a penalty towards Surgent’s Elite.

9. Parents should not go on to the gym floor before or during competition.

10. Do not talk to judges or complain to meet organizers. If you have a complaint or question please pass this information along to us through your team parent or discuss with your coach by arranging a meeting. If you have questions about scores etc. please call and make an appointment with the coach during the week. The competition is a busy time filled with emotion. A question and answer session is better suited for an alternate time.

Lastly - enjoy your daughter’s competition season. They are only young once! This season is about your daughter gaining experience on setting goals, training hard and learning how to compete. It is also a time to develop sportsmanship. Please do not let scores and parents' competitive nature distract you from this goal.

Just an FYI, there is an admission fee for the meets (typically cash only unless otherwise communicated). The fees for a regular meet are roughly $10/adult $5 per child (not competing), but may vary by gym. Admission fees may also be greater for Invitationals, States Previews and State Championships, etc.

If you have any questions about meet conduct please reach out to DJ.

* Also....A few new level 6 parents have asked for clarification of some general things: so, here are a few parent to parent tips if this is your first meet... please make sure your daughter's hair is pulled back and secured. You can use a few pony tail holders to hold a pony tail and gel her hair back so that it doesn't fall out during the meet. No jewelry, no earrings, and if they have nail polish its restricted to a light color (be safe and don't wear any). You will probably want to wash the leotard before the first meet to soften it up. Follow the instructions on the tag.

As far as snacks-- An example of a light snack might be pretzels and grapes and water. Do not send drinks other than water that can spill and stain her leotard or the competition floor. Plan to have your daughter to the gym a few minutes prior to the report time (they tend to freak out if they are late), but understand that the gym may not open until the report time so please be patient. If you have family coming to watch, they can safely arrive at least 20 minutes after the report time without missing the meet. Also, flash photography can not only make it difficult for your gymnast to see, but it can also momentarily blind the coach who is spotting your child. That is why they have the rule, so please keep the girls safe by not using the flash and remind you family members too. Most meets have a small concession stand where you can a few basic items. The meet can last up to 5 hours. Enjoy the meet!