I recently returned from the Alberta Gymnastics Federation Congress which was held at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino in Calgary. I was speaking with a number of other great presenters from the USA, Canada and France. I was really honored to be speaking with such a high powered group of people. It really was a fantastic conference. Well thought out, well organized, and pretty well attended. What made the biggest impression on me was the enthusiasm of the coaches that were in attendance. Following one of my lectures I had so many questions that I had to move out into the hallway to answer them to let the next speaker into the room. Out in the hallway BETH GARDNER was running a preschool warm up with 20 coaches rolling around and doing a crab walk! I took “my group” down to the hotel lobby (which had a very nice fireplace) and continued our discussion for about 45 minutes.
The only think to improve upon would be the speakers during lunch. They each had valuable things to say. It was just difficult to have the full attention of the audience.
The Clinicians
Christophe Lambert- Coached French National junior team in men’s artistic gymnastic and two times team world champion in tumbling. As the coach of the national team for women tumbling from 1990 to 2001, he coached the 4 time individual and 4 time team world champion gymnasts in tumbling. He is a National Director for Trampoline, Tumbling and Acrobatic Gymnastic since 200;. Member of the European union Trampoline TC from 1999 to 2004; member of the FIG Trampoline-Tumbling TC since 2004 and Vice President of the FIG Trampoline-Tumbling TC since 2009.
Dave Ross– He opened Skyriders Trampoline Place, the first custom built Canadian trampolining facility, in 1990. He is an International Level Judge and a NCCP National Master Course Conductor Levels 1-3. He is a co-author of the NCCP Trampoline Manuals. Dave is the creator of the world’s only “Supertramp” (20ft by 13ft bed). Ross has been the Canadian National Team coach for a number of years. He has coached four of the five Canadian Olympic trampolinists at Skyriders. In the London Olympics his athlete won a Gold Medal on Trampoline.
I thought it was one of the best organized conferences I have been to, and that they collected a crack team of presenters. I am not sure I could improve on any of the following quotes.
Dave
Frank Sahlein- Frank is a renowned business management innovator and has been involved with the industry since 1967 – as gymnast, martial artist, CrossFit athlete, coach, business owner, Industry Business Development consultant and business broker. He is a native of San Mateo, California and graduated from San Jose State University in 1975. He travels internationally to review and consult on best practices. Two-time recipient of the National Business Leader Award from USA Gymnastics, Frank is the author of “Building Your Business Potential” (using the BusinessGrades® system), an industry standard rating system for service-based businesses.
Beth Gardner- has an extensive background specializing in preschool gymnastics. In addition to experience as a Preschool Director, men’s and women’s team coach and gym owner, she is a co-author and director for the Instructor Training Program (ITP) Preschool, ITP Recreational and ITP Brain and Body courses for the Gymnastics Association of Texas (GAT) and serves as a GAT board member.
Alberta Gymnastics Federation did a BEAUTIFUL job on their fall congress. As hosts, their organization was top-notch, and their hospitality was phenominal. I truly enjoyed working with them. The coaches who attended were not only friendly, but they were fully engaged and interested in learning and sharing. It was a complete pleasure having the opportunity to meet and get to know them as well. I am so grateful and completely honored to have been a part of their first annual fall congress. CONGRATULATIONS AGF! GREAT JOB! YOU GUYS ROCK!
Beth
Steve Greeley- Steve is an International presenter, Founder of Imagymnation Gymnastics Center in Simi Valley, CA. and winner of several Gymnastics Business Leadership awards. In 2006, Steve sold Imagymnation to move to Cincinnati, OH to become partners with Jeff Metzger in Kids First Sports Center, the country’s largest children’s sports facility. He also operates Steve Greeley: Digital Delinquent a software company producing “Flip Art,” digital graphics for children’s sports.
An easy Canadian border crossing…
An amazing conference…
(Quite amazing and problem free for the first one of its kind)
Grateful people, hungry for new information…
Great food…
Awesome fellow speakers…
Could we ask for more?
Oh yeah, the white Calgary Cowboy Hat…
That was the cherry on top.
Thanks to all for a memorable experience!Steve Greeley
sgreeley@kidsfirstsports.com
And of course, me, Tony Retrosi.
What the Attendees said
“All of the speakers brought a variety of knowledge which was wonderful.”
“Developing and Educating the leaders in our sport is the best path to future success.”
“Congress was fantastic! An opportunity to reconnect and get plugged into the pulse of gymnastics! Pumped to share the knowledge with the rest of our coaching staff!”
“It was inspiring when Dave Ross got on the trampoline to demonstrate a progression during our technical trampoline session.”
“I really found Tony Retrosi’s sessions useful and his coaching style was one to be modeled.”
“I really enjoyed the Steve Greeley workshop on building Character and skill. He had some excellent ideas.”
“Beth Gardner showing her standard preschool warm up in the hallway was my most memorable moment.”
“The energy given off by the speakers was great. They truly showed their passion in what they spoke about and were very engaging.”
“AGF did a fabulous job of finding great speakers!”
“Please bring Frank back again. He has so much to offer.”
“If the quality of presenters remains as high or higher as it was for this event – I will highly recommend it to all clubs and coaches to attend. It was a fantastic weekend – I got a lot of new ideas and had fun along the way!”
“The 2012 Fall Congress was a fabulous event with some of the best speakers and workshops I have ever attended. The networking opportunities at an event like this are almost as great as the workshops themselves. It was a good experience for all of us to mix with the disciplines we are not as familiar with and see the variety and the depth of knowledge within our sport. Thank you for an excellent experience.
“Great Job AGF staff! Once again, you have proven that we are the best federation in Canada.”
“I think this fall congress has been a great effort of AGF to motivate and pursue a higher level of gymnastics in Alberta and certainly will support this in 2014.”
Receiving our WHITE HATS, making us honorary Calgarians
Beth, Christophe, Tony, Dave
