By Eric Totman

I realize that the current Zone system has inherent flaws and problems that we have to deal with each year, but in my opinion the proposal on the table to totally get rid of Zone Championships also has inherent flaws and problems and is swinging the "pendulum" of change too far in the other direction. I therefore offer this proposal as a common sense approach to solving the problems associated with Zone Championships.

Northern California would be comprised of 2 Zones, Northern Zone and Southern Zone (instead of the current 4 Zones system). There would be a Zone Representative for each Zone. These Zone Reps. would represent their Zone on the NCBGA Board and communicate information to and form their Zone and the Board. Since we currently have 4 Zone Reps., Zone 1 & 3 Reps. would work together for the remainder of their term as would Zone 2 & 4 Reps..

It is not only difficult to find enough Judges that are well experienced to field all four Zone Championships, but it is also hard to find enough Judges period. Many coaches express that their gymnasts are not scored fairly in this State Championship qualifying competition. Having just two Zone Championships will greatly improve the quality of judging.

It is not only hard to find clubs willing to host Zone Championships in all four Zones, but finding clubs that have adequate facilities for both gymnasts and spectators is also difficult. Having just two Zone Championships will help improve our host club choices.

Some clubs are reluctant to host Zone Championships because they don’t make enough money. Having only 2 Zone Championships will make hosting this event more financially attractive for clubs.

Having just two Zone Reps may be better than four. It is difficult to find hard working Zone Reps. Often times Board members have to hold two Board positions because no one else in the Zone wants the job. Examples of this are: 1) Michelle Telega currently holding both NCBGA Board positions of Secretary and Zone 3 Rep. 2) Eric Totman held the NCBGA Board position of Zone 2 Rep for many years while also serving as Secretary and Vice Chairman.

 

 

 

 

 

The biggest problem I see with having no Zone Championships is that it is not in the best interest of the gymnasts. Many gymnasts receive intrinsic awards through their individual and team accomplishments at Zone Championships. That gymnast that placed 2^nd on Vault, 3^rd on P-Bars, 5^th on High Bar, and 2^nd place team at Zone Championships might only place 8^th on Vault at State Championships. Many other gymnasts that placed lower at Zone Championships (but did place) will not place at all at State Championships.

In our current system, and the one I proposal, we know exactly how many gymnasts to qualify from the 2^nd qualifier into State Championships. With no Zone Championships there will also be no 2^nd qualifier and no way to predict how many gymnasts will make a predetermined score to qualify into State Championships. There may be too many gymnasts at State Championships or not enough. For those of you have directed competitions, this is a nightmare! Not a good incentive to want to host State Championships.

Without Zone Championships gymnasts would have to score a predetermined score 3 times during the season. Someone would have to track and verify that each gymnasts did obtain the correct score 3 times. This is a very time consuming and inaccurate way of qualifying gymnasts. Scores and judging varies from meet to meet throughout the season. Scores rank gymnasts at a given competition and do not accurately reflect that the gymnast has achieved a certain level of ability.

Some clubs only participate in 3 or 4 competitions prior to State Championships while others attend 7 or 8. Obviously the gymnasts attending 7 or 8 competitions have a better chance of obtaining the qualifying score 3 times even though they may not perform as well as those who attended less competitions.

 

I personally have not had problems with our current system of qualifying gymnasts to State Championships, but I have big concerns with the proposal to do away with Zone Championships totally. It appears that proposal was developed because the host club does not make as much money as they would like and the coaches would rather not go to Zone Championships, not because it is the best thing for the athletes. My proposal solves many of the problems associated with Zone Championships with out "throwing the baby out with the bath water".

My teams and individual gymnasts have done well, and will continue to do well, at State Championships regardless whether there is or is not a Zone Championship. I also have many gymnasts that do well at Zone Championships, but not a State Championships. It makes their hard work and efforts worthwhile and keeps them in the gym longer if they are a "Zone Champion" or part of the "Zone Championship Team". I would hate to them lose their glory and motivation.