The Gymnastics of Illinois Junior Organization (GIJO) seeks to provide safe, fun, affordable competitive opportunities to gymnasts of all levels with the continuous goal of serving the individual gymnast and their growth within the sport by providing positive, supportive, and encouraging atmosphere.
At Tri-Star we believe that a gymnastics team should be more like a family. On the GIJO team, we introduce young athletes to competition in a comfortable and supportive environment. We foster confidence and teamwork in addition to teaching skills and routines. The GIJO program offers a similar experience to USAG with less pressure and intensity. Reduced practice hours also offer participants an opportunity to pursue other interests while still learning and growing in gymnastics.
We believe that there are many different ways to do gymnastics and that young athletes learn at their own pace. We are not program that believes there is a perfect gymnastics body type or a perfect mindset. We believe that anything can be accompanied with hard work and that fear can be overcome with the proper guidance. We are also committed to allowing out athletes to have a life outside of gymnastics. As such, out practice ours are significantly less than many of the other competitive teams in our area. But in exchange, we expect gymnasts to come in prepared to work hard and be efficient every day of practice. We are committed to developing each athlete into the best gymnast (and person) she can be.
Our Tri-Star GIJO team consists of compulsory levels 2, 3, and 4. We also offer Xcel/Optional team for older and/or more advanced girls who want to continue gymnastics without the added pressure, intensity, and time commitment of USAG.
THE GIJO TEAM IS A YEAR-ROUND COMMITMENT
Annual Calendar:
August: Team tryouts
August – December: Preparations for the upcoming competitive season.
January – April: GIJO competitive season.
April – AAU Central District State Meet (this meet marks the end of the competitive season)
April – May: Gym Show preparation and off season training
Mid-March: Illinois Level 8, 9, 10 State Championships
3rd Saturday in May: Annual Gym Show. ALL GIJO TEAM MEMBERS & THEIR FAMILIES ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE
June – August: Off-season training takes place in the GIJO Team Camps. Any gymnast who wishes to stay on the team or move to the next level is expected to attend one of these summer camps.