The purpose of this document is to clarify the “International Competition Squad [HIGH PERFORMANCE]” selection process at DynamAcro Gymnastics Academy. 

The objective of this policy is to establish a transparent and equitable selection process that aligns with defined eligibility requirements and performance criteria.

This policy sets out what the club aims to achieve within each age group partnership and provides the framework to guide coaches, gymnasts, parents, and the Performance and Technical Director. It ensures that the goals of each partnership are met and that every athlete is given the opportunity to actively participate, develop, and enjoy their sport within a supportive and structured environment.

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Governance

The DynamAcro Gymnastics Academy Performance Panel delegates the authority to implement and execute this policy, including all associated processes, procedures, and structures, to the Performance and Technical Director (PTD).

The Performance and Technical Director is responsible for:

• Establishing and managing all structures, processes, and procedures in accordance with this policy.
• Verifying the eligibility of all gymnasts proposed for consideration by the Performance Panel.

DynamAcro Gymnastics Academy reserves the right to review and update this policy regularly to ensure alignment with external regulations, governing body requirements, and internal feedback. Amendments may be made as necessary to maintain fairness, clarity, and compliance.

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Selection Panel

The Selection Panel is responsible for applying this policy to select gymnasts and coaches who will represent DynamAcro Gymnastics Academy at 2026/2027 International Competitions.

• The Panel’s objectives are to:
• Provide gymnasts with every possible opportunity to reach their maximum potential at the international level.
• Ensure the selection policy is applied equally and fairly to all gymnasts.
• Promote continuous improvement across all gymnasts and partnerships.
• Maintain open communication and collaboration between coaches, gymnasts, parents, the club’s Performance Panel, and the Technical Director.
• Pursue competitive success while upholding the values and integrity of DynamAcro Gymnastics Academy, fostering pride in our club and respect within the wider community.
• Implement a clear and transparent process for managing any issues or concerns arising from the competition group selection process.

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Nomination to join the ICSHP (Squad)

Partnerships wishing to be considered for selection to the 2026/2027 International Competition Squad [High-Performance] must submit their Member Agreement using the designated online form, available via the provided link.

Please note:

• The invitation link will expire 336 hours (14 days) after receipt.
• If the nomination is not completed within this timeframe, the partnership will be required to wait until the following year cycle to receive a new invitation. September 2027
• If one gymnast within a partnership does not submit their nomination, that partnership may be reassigned or relocated to a new partnership or squad as deemed appropriate by the Performance Panel. Partnerships shall not be formed from members of mixed squads. For clarity, a Performance Gymnast may not be included as part of a High-Performance partnership.

1. 2026 ICS [HIGH PERFORMANCE] Member Agreement – D.G.A
2. 2026 ICS [PERFORMANCE] Member Agreement – D.G.A

If a partnership is unable to participate in a selected competition, an Extenuating Circumstances application must be submitted.

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2026/2027 ICSHP Member Agreement

The objectives of the International Competition Squad [HIGH PERFORMANCE] selection process are set out below.

Eligibility & Competition Selection:

• Acceptance onto the Squad does not guarantee automatic selection for any specific competition. All competition places are allocated by the club’s Performance Panel, acting fairly, transparently, and in line with the club’s published policies.
• To retain eligibility for competition funding, gymnasts in confirmed full partnership arrangements must participate in a minimum of one international competition per year, as selected by the Performance Panel.

Competition & Travel Arrangements:

• For FIG-level competitions outside Ireland, the Squad will enter events across the UK and throughout Europe.
• Eligible international competitions include all events held at a distance greater than 1,000 kilometres from Ireland – examples include the UK, Portugal, Spain, Bulgaria, Denmark, Belgium, and other comparable locations. This scope is designed to provide gymnasts with exposure to diverse judging styles, competition formats, and high-standard opposition.

Administration & Agreement Requirements:

• Validity & Renewal: This International Competition Squad [ HIGH-PERFORMANCE ] This agreement expires on 31 August each year. A new agreement must be submitted on or before 1 September annually to maintain Squad membership eligibility.

Submission Deadline:

• Once the form link is issued, it must be fully completed and received by the club within 336 hours (14 calendar days). Failure to meet this deadline will result in the invitation being withdrawn.

Placement Validation:

• Submission of the completed, signed agreement is mandatory to confirm and validate the gymnast’s place on the Squad.

• If you have any financial concerns, please submit an Extenuating Circumstances Consideration form.

Extenuating Circumstances Consideration – D.G.A

Financial Support:

• If you have concerns about meeting any associated costs or requirements, you may apply for review via an Extenuating Circumstances Consideration Form, available from D.G.A. All applications will be reviewed confidentially, impartially, and in line with Irish equality legislation and fair process principles.

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2026/2027 ICSHP Customized Competition Leotard

Compliant with Irish law, including principles of bailment, fair procedure, and club governance.

Loan of Custom Leotards:

• Members of the International Competition Squad [HIGH PERFORMANCE] will be provided with a customized competition leotard (valued at over €700) on a loan basis for the relevant competition period. The leotard always remains the property of D.G.A. / the club. This arrangement is governed by Irish law on bailment and club property management.

Allocation Authority:

• The Performance Panel is solely responsible for reviewing stock levels and allocating D.G.A. customized competition leotards to eligible partnership groups. All allocations will be applied fairly, consistently, and transparently.

Insufficient Stock:

Where there are not enough customized leotards available in storage for a specific partnership, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will be responsible for sourcing and providing an appropriate competition leotard that meets the club’s competition and branding standards.

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2026/2027 ICSHP Customized Competition Leotard loan agreement

Customized Competition Leotard loan agreement :

Ownership:

• At all times during the loan period, all DGA Customized Competition Leotards remain the sole and absolute property of the Club (DGA). This arrangement constitutes a gratuitous bailment under Irish law.

Care & Maintenance:

• The leotard must be kept clean, neat, and in good repair throughout the loan. The gymnast and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are fully responsible for proper laundering, safe storage, and general care in line with the Club’s guidelines.

Liability for Loss, Theft or Damage:

• If the leotard requires replacement due to avoidable damage, loss, or theft while in the recipient’s possession, the parent(s)/guardian(s) agree to replace the item at their own cost, to the standard and specification required by the Club. This does not apply where damage arises from fair wear and tear or causes beyond the recipient’s reasonable control.

Standard of Care:

• The recipient agrees to exercise reasonable care as required under Irish bailment law and will only use the leotard for approved Club competition and training purposes.

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2026/2027 Gymnast ICSHP Funding:

Funding is available for ICSHP gymnast members travelling to international competition events that have been selected by the performance panel/PTD to help keep the overall cost of the event at an affordable level.

• Standard funding: 40% contribution toward the total cost of approved competition events.
• Enhanced funding: Up to 100% coverage may be awarded for specific designated events, based on published performance and selection criteria.

Funding is provided solely for approved events/activities in line with the International Competition Squad [High Performance] Fund Policy, a full copy of which is provided to the athlete/parent/guardian before signing this Agreement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Funding Provided:

• The Funding will provide support solely for approved events/activities in line with the International Competition Squad [High-Performance] Fund Policy, which is incorporated into this Agreement by reference.

Support may include:

• Direct payment of travel, accommodation, or event entry fees, or reimbursement against valid receipts;
• Provision of reasonable kit and equipment at the Sponsor’s discretion.
• The remaining gymnast travel related expenses are parent responsibility and are not covered by the Club.

Athlete Deliverables:

Branding:

• Wear official Club-branded kit at all supported events, and in official photos/videos, where permitted by event rules.

Media/Social:

• Minimum [N] posts per supported event on [Platforms], tagging the Club and agreed partners; all content must be suitable for the Club to reuse.

Content Rights:

• The Athlete grants the Club a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence for the Term plus 24 months after it ends, to use the Athlete’s name, image, likeness, and supplied content for marketing across all media.

Appearances:

• Up to [N] hours per season of agreed marketing/community activities (e.g. open days, clinics), scheduled by mutual agreement.
• Reporting: Submit a short post-event report with results and media assets within 7 days of returning from an event.

Approved Activities & Events:

✅ Funded: International championships/qualifiers; events; high-performance training camps; pre-approved specialist support

Travel Expenses that are not related to Gymnast funding:

Gymnast and Family Travel Expenses:

• All expenses related to travel to and/or attending competitions or other gymnastics events are the responsibility of the gymnasts’ parents and are not covered by the Club outside funding.

Non-Approved Activities & Events:

❌ Not Funded: Local/national events (unless pre-agreed); personal travel/tourism; costs incurred without written approval.

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DGA’s International Competition Selection Rule

Decision Making Authority:

• Selection for all international competitions and events is determined exclusively by the Performance Panel, acting in consultation with the Performance and Technical Director (PTD). This applies regardless of event location or host country. All decisions will be made in good faith, on merit, and free from unlawful discrimination.

Cost & Accessibility:

• DGA will prioritise identifying the most cost effective international events available, to support fair and reasonable access for all eligible athletes and their families.

Decision Making Scope:

• Parents and guardians are not party to competition selection or event allocation decisions. All such determinations rest solely with the Performance Panel and PTD, based on objective criteria including athlete performance, competitive readiness, and the strategic objectives of the International Competition Squad [High-Performance].

Compliance with Terms:

• Where a gymnast is selected to represent DGA at an international event, parents/guardians are expected to support their child’s participation and comply fully with the International Competition Squad Member Agreement and all applicable club policies and procedures

Unforeseen Circumstances for Event Selection

Entry Eligibility:

• Competition entry rules vary internationally – some host federations accept club entries, while others only accept national federation entries. As DGA is not currently a member of Gymnastics Ireland, participation in certain events may not be possible despite all reasonable efforts. This position is notified transparently at the outset.

Event Changes:

• Where an event cannot proceed as originally planned due to regulatory, operational, or other unforeseen circumstances beyond DGA’s control, the Performance Panel will select an alternative eligible event from the approved competition list. DGA will use all reasonable endeavours to keep or reduce costs relative to the budget for the original event, preserving financial fairness and transparency. Any changes will be communicated promptly to affected families, applying principles of natural justice and fair procedure.

Competition Selection

No Automatic Selection:

• Acceptance onto the International Competition Squad [HIGH PERFORMANCE] does not guarantee selection for any specific competition. All competition places are awarded based on performance in official trial scoring events.

Use of Recent Official Scores:

• Gymnasts in confirmed partnership arrangements who have taken part in official competitions within the six months prior to the relevant trial may submit those official scores for consideration – provided the scores achieved are equal to or higher than the required trial standard. All submissions will be assessed consistently, fairly, and on merit.

Event Extenuating Circumstances Consideration

Application Requirement:

• If an International Competition Squad [HIGH PERFORMANCE] member is unable to take part in a selected international event due to financial hardship or State examinations, parents/guardians must submit a completed Event Extenuating Circumstances Consideration Form without delay.

Assessment & Decisions:

• Submission of an application does not guarantee approval. All requests will be reviewed confidentially and objectively by the relevant Selection Panel. Decisions will be communicated promptly to applicants, and are made in line with consistent, published criteria.

Link: Extenuating Circumstances Consideration – D.G.A

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Pre-performance routines (PPRs) Agreement

PRE-PERFORMANCE ROUTINE POLICY

• Gymnasts who have been selected to compete in any international competition must complete their final competition preparation training prior to the event.
• Performance preparation is critical for athletes to ensure they are mentally and physically ready for competition.
• Pre-performance routines (PPRs) are systematic sequences of thoughts and actions that help athletes prepare for high-pressure situations. These routines serve multiple purposes, including reducing anxiety, increasing focus, and creating consistency in performance.
• A well-designed PPR can help athletes stay calm, focused, and confident, allowing them to perform at their best when it matters most.
• It is critical that the pre-performance routine timeframe is not interrupted.
• For every International competition DGA implements a 4-week pre-performance routine program for its athletes who have been selected to represent the Club at high level competition. The Athlete must complete the 4-week PPR without any breaks from their training schedule. Having said that if parents can commit to a 6-week PPR then this would be welcomed.
• The minimum hours to cover per week for DGA gymnasts to optimize the best result from the pre-performance routines (PPRs) program is 8 hours per week. If a PPR’s program is not followed correctly then the Athletes run the risk of underperforming which could affect future Event confidence.

Link: The effectiveness of pre-performance routines in sports: a meta-analysis 

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Sibling Rule: The Recommended Path: 

Individual Merit & Journey:

• Consistent with accepted best practice among sports directors and sports psychologists, each gymnast’s selection and progression is assessed on their own performance, readiness, and merit – independently of siblings or family circumstances.

Selection Outcomes:

• Where one gymnast qualifies for national or international competition and another does not, the non‑selected gymnast is encouraged to support their teammate as part of the wider squad, in a spirit of fair and equal treatment.

Participation Responsibility:

• Where one gymnast qualifies and the other withdraws for any reason, parents/guardians should ensure the eligible gymnast still attends and participates as selected. This applies equally in reverse, to uphold fairness and consistency for all squad members.

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Replacements and Reserves

Appointment of Reserves:

• The Selection Panel may appoint reserves to the International Competition Squad [HIGH PERFORMANCE], drawn from both ICSHP members and eligible non‑ICSHP gymnasts. Reserves may be called upon if a selected gymnast is deselected, withdraws, or becomes unable to travel.

Equal Standards for Reserves:

• All named reserves are subject to the same eligibility, performance, and conduct criteria as confirmed squad members. They must promptly disclose any relevant information regarding fitness, health, or training status to the Selection Panel.

Replacement Process:

• If a selected gymnast is removed or withdraws, the Selection Panel will fill the vacancy based on the technical and operational needs of the partnership. While replacements will ordinarily be selected from the approved reserve pool, this is not mandatory.

Finality of Decisions:

• All decisions regarding reserves and replacements are made in the reasonable discretion of the Selection Panel and are final. They are not subject to internal appeal, without prejudice to any statutory right to challenge on grounds of unlawful discrimination or procedural unfairness under Irish law.

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Partnership / Performance Based Rule

Partnership Flexibility:

• Partnership arrangements are not permanent. The Performance & Technical Director, acting jointly with the Performance Panel, may adjust or reconfigure partnerships at any time – regardless of how long they have existed or their prior competitive record. All changes will be made objectively, in the best interests of the squad and gymnasts, and applied consistently.

Mandatory Training Requirements:

• ICSHP partnerships competing at FIG levels (Pre‑Youth, Youth, Junior, Senior) must complete the specified minimum training hours per week and per competition season. This is a requirement to ensure safe progression, technical development, and competitive readiness.

Travel Eligibility:

• All ICSHP members must be available and eligible to travel to both national and international events as required.

Scheduled Reviews:

• Every ICSHP partnership will be subject to a formal review every six months to assess ongoing suitability, progress, and alignment with squad objectives.

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Conflict of Interest & Withdrawal Protocol

Definition of Conflict of Interest:

• A conflict of interest arises where a person may gain personal benefit from actions or decisions made in an official capacity, or where the interests or objectives of two or more parties are incompatible. This applies equally to actual conflicts and situations that could reasonably be perceived as conflicting.

Withdrawal from Selected Events:

• To ensure fairness and protect the interests of all gymnasts within a partnership, any request to withdraw a child from a selected international or national event – whether the club’s first, second, or third proposed event – must be formally agreed by both the Club and all parents/guardians of gymnasts in that partnership. No unilateral withdrawal will be accepted, to uphold consistency and collective fairness.

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Breach of Agreement

Review Process:

• Parents/guardians acknowledge that any alleged breach of this Agreement will be referred to the Performance Panel and/or Performance & Technical Director (PTD) for proper review and investigation. The parties involved will be given clear notice of the concerns and a reasonable opportunity to respond, in line with fair procedure.

Possible Outcomes:

• Following a full and impartial assessment, if a breach is established, the Performance Panel and/or PTD may take one or more of the following actions:
• Issue a formal written warning;
• Remove the gymnast from a specific team, partnership, or event;
• Terminate this Agreement and the member’s participation in the International Competition Squad [HIGH PERFORMANCE];
• Impose any other proportionate sanction considered appropriate, exercised reasonably and in good faith.

Decision Principles:

• All determinations will be made consistently, transparently, and in the best interests of the gymnast and the club, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and applicable Irish law.

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Gymnast Code of Conduct: P1

P1 – Attendance, Effort & Team Contribution

• The gymnast will make every reasonable effort to attend all scheduled training sessions, competitions, and podium preparation events. They will work consistently to develop their skills, uphold high standards of performance, and act as a valued and positive member of the team.

Compliant with Irish law: Children First Act 2015, Equal Status Acts 2000–2012, Sport Ireland safeguarding standards, and club governance principles

Gymnast Code of Conduct: P2

P2 – Behaviour & Representation

• The gymnast will always conduct themselves in a manner that brings respect to themselves, their teammates, coaches, and DGA. They acknowledge that their conduct, both in person and online, reflects directly on the club and the wider squad.

Compliant with Irish law: Children First Act 2015, Equal Status Acts 2000–2012, Sport Ireland safeguarding standards, and club governance principles

Gymnast Code of Conduct: P3

P3 – Understanding, Communication & Membership Status

• The gymnast confirms they have read and understood the expectations set out for squad membership. They will endeavour to meet these standards; if they are unable to do so, they agree to contact their team coach promptly to discuss the situation openly and in good time. Formal membership of the International Competition Squad [HIGH PERFORMANCE] will be confirmed once this signed agreement is received by the club.

Compliant with Irish law: Children First Act 2015, Equal Status Acts 2000–2012, Sport Ireland safeguarding standards, and club governance principles

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Fitness/Performance Readiness Assessment

Pre‑Selection Requirement: Any gymnast invited to join the International Competition Squad [HIGH PERFORMANCE] must complete a fitness and performance readiness assessment before membership can be formally confirmed. This assessment verifies that the gymnast meets the required standard to compete at the relevant level.

Ongoing Assessments: All squad members will undergo two scheduled assessment tests in any 12‑month period, to maintain eligibility and confirm continued readiness for competition and training commitments

The assessment process will include:

Assessment Arrangements

Timing:

1. a) Assessments will be held within a specified timeframe, set according to squad requirements and the gymnast’s individual circumstances.

Location:

1. b) All evaluations will take place at Dynamacro Gymnastics Academy, as determined appropriate by the Selection Panel.

Oversight:

1. c) The process will be managed and overseen by authorised personnel, including Selection Panel members and/or the Performance & Technical Director.

Assessment Criteria:

1. d) To demonstrate competition readiness, gymnasts must complete all required evaluations:

• Test 1 – Physical Assessment: Mandatory for all candidates
• Test 2 – Technical Assessment: Applied to relevant squad members
• Test 3 – Performance Assessment: Mandatory for all candidates – including full partnership routine performances (one Balance Routine and one Dynamic Routine) with all required skills executed.

Selection Outcomes:

Following full assessment, the Selection Panel will determine:

1. Whether the gymnast meets the required fitness, technical, and performance standards for full selection;
2. Whether an alternative reserve gymnast should be considered;
3. Whether an extended review period is appropriate, based on progress and partnership timelines.

• Where a gymnast does not meet the required standards, they may be withdrawn from final partnership selection.
• Where selected, gymnasts will complete a repeat physical preparation test every six months, aligned with the formal partnership review cycle.

Second Attempt:

• Gymnasts may request one repeat attempt at all three assessment tests.

Finality of Decisions:

• All determinations of the Selection Panel are made reasonably and in good faith and are final. They are not subject to internal appeal, without prejudice to any statutory right to challenge on grounds of unlawful discrimination or procedural unfairness under Irish law

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