DID YOU EVER WONDER? Why are some meets better than others?

Some factors that make the meets the same:

• Common guidelines are required to be followed and are based on USAG standards, especially for the sanctioned levels.Compulsory levels will see the same routines performed by everyone, for example.
• Minimum standards for equipment, such as bars, vault, floor, beam.
• Judge certification requirements and minimum number of judges.
• Meet type (which impacts the amount of warm up time).
• Participants are gymnasts and spectators are parents, fans, grandparents, etc.

Factors that make the meet experiences different:

• Venue. The place where the meet is held impacts the atmosphere. Some venues are small gyms, others used are convention centers, college gym facilities, and recreation centers. One meet we went to last year was well received by some parents who got to have cocktails and snacks in a lounge while watching the competition! I doubt they remember that the meet fee was expensive because they had such a great time!
• Concessions and goods sold. A wide range of food, gymnastics apparel/accessories, photos, jewelry, pins, and other goods are sold at meets. Prices vary widely. For example, the St Louis meet sold chips and candy bars for $3 apiece!
• Equipment. Some gyms have only the minimum equipment. Sometimes the kids complain about shaky bars or slick beams.
• Volunteers to work. We are able to keep costs of the meets we host down by using faithful parent and athlete volunteers and by getting things donated.
• Size of the gym.
• Number of athletes and levels competing.
• Meet fees. The fees vary widely and factors include venue, equipment (any need to be rented?), judges used, availability of volunteers to work the event in lieu of paying outside help.
• Awards - sometimes everyone gets a medal, sometimes only ribbons except for the top finishers. Many meets also provide goody bags that include the ever popular t-shirt (How many gymnastic tees do you have in your drawer????)

What's the average meet fee? Well, it depends on all these factors, averaging 50.00 per meet. Upper levels often pay more because of the cost for judges and other requirements.

Who decides what meets we go to? Coaches determine the meets and they take all these things into consideration.