The numbers don’t lie and that’s not an excellent factor for MIAA boys gymnastics.
Rapidly declining participation numbers put the MIAA Gymnastics Committee able of questioning whether or not it’s going to be possible to proceed the game for much longer. This previous season, simply 4 colleges participated within the boys state championships (Burlington, Braintree, Lowell and Newton North/South).
A current survey carried out by state boys gymnastics director Mike Denise concerning future participation didn’t paint a rosy image. He mentioned that Braintree has 5 boys, Burlington has lower than 5, Lowell has six and Newton North/South doesn’t know its numbers.
“The numbers are drastically low,” mentioned MIAA gymnastics liaison Ann Tryko. “I’d like to request a report (on the numbers) from Mike and Sherry Bryant so that the TMC can discuss the future of the sport. Anything below five teams is a challenge.”
The committee is prepared to do no matter it takes to make sure a future for the game. Dracut athletic director Paula Chausse echoed the feelings of many when she mentioned each choice have to be checked out.
“We are all in agreement that no one wants to see it fold,” Chausse mentioned. “We have co-ed divisions in different sports activities like swimming and cheerleading, perhaps we are able to do it in gymnastics as effectively. We must put each attainable choice on the desk.
Committee member Paul D’Alleva, the principal at Medford High, was a gymnast at Burlington. He vividly remembered his highschool days and hopes the game might be salvaged.
“I would hate to see it disappear. It would really be a sad day if that does occur,” D’Alleva mentioned. “When I started out as a freshman, I knew nothing about the sport. I still remember doing my first vault, I just ran as fast as I could. By my senior year, I was coaching some of the younger kids.”
This isn’t the primary time the game has been in survival mode. In 2013, the MIAA initially eradicated boys gymnastics, then the Board of Directors voted to reinstate the game.
Among a few of the concepts bandied about throughout the 90-minute assembly was the opportunity of the colleges forming regional co-op groups, a extra dogged try to search out athletes inside the college. Denise, who was the athletic director at Braintree for years earlier than going to Blackstone-Millville in an analogous capability, touted the efforts of longtime Braintree gymnastics coach Rich Ellis to attempt to get as many children concerned as attainable in his program.
“Rich Ellis was always out there actively looking for students to compete,” mentioned Denise. “He would look at the sports roster and find which boys were not participating. He’s done a wonderful job in keeping the Braintree program running.”
As for the not too long ago concluded state gymnastics tournaments, MIAA state ladies gymnastics director Amelia Braun was pleased with the best way the women’ occasions turned out. Braun mentioned the whole lot went as easily as attainable.
“We used the electronic scoring and enhanced that with the iPad, so it became really efficient for the spectators and press,” Braun mentioned. “Algonquin was a great host and they’ve agreed to host it next year.”
On the boys’ entrance, Denise mentioned the state championships overcame some points and managed to place collectively a top-notch occasion. He praised Burlington athletic director Shaun Hart for making their facility obtainable on a brief discover.
Source: www.bostonherald.com