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Competitive Tumbling Team
Welcome to the Dubuque Dance Studio and Gymnastics Club Competitive Tumbling Team!
Our competitive program is designed for athletes who are ready to take their tumbling training to the next level while developing strength, technique, confidence, responsibility, and good sportsmanship.
DDSGC is a member of USTA, and our team trains and competes within the USTA program. Competitions are held primarily throughout the central and eastern portions of Iowa, with the possibility of attending select meets in Illinois or Wisconsin.
Training & Team Commitment
Competitive athletes train year-round.
September–May
- Athletes attend one weekday tumbling and/or gymnastics class in addition to their Competitive Team Class on Friday or Saturday.
- Advanced athletes attend two weekday classes in addition to their Friday/Saturday Competitive Team Class.
- Regular school-year lessons begin the Tuesday after Labor Day and finish the Friday before Memorial Day.
Summer
- Team athletes train twice each week.
- There are no regularly scheduled weekend practices.
- Our summer session runs approximately 7–8 weeks from June through August.
- There are no classes during the entire week of July 4th.
- Additional training may occasionally be scheduled in early June or late August. These hours may not be included in regular tuition.
Our training schedule is carefully designed to help each athlete safely progress and develop. Families who choose to reduce or alter the recommended training schedule should understand that doing so may directly affect the athlete’s progress, skill development, and competitive level.
Competitions
Our team generally participates in approximately 5–9 meets each season. Athletes are not required to attend every invitational meet.
We also attend one State Meet and one National Meet each year. Athletes who qualify will have the opportunity to participate.
Meet locations are primarily in the eastern and central portions of Iowa, and we may choose to attend a meet in Illinois or Wisconsin.
Families receive the meet location/address before committing so they can consider travel distance and arrangements.
Meet times are distributed as soon as we receive them from the host organization. Please understand that meet schedules are often not released until the weekend before competition.
Registering for Meets
Families must RSVP by the stated deadline and submit the required meet fee.
Your athlete’s name appearing on our team competition page is your confirmation that they have been entered. Please double-check the team page to make sure your athlete is listed and that all information is correct.
Athletes must also remain in good financial standing with DDSGC. Accounts must have a zero past-due balance before an athlete can be registered and meet fees can be submitted.
Competition Fees
All competitors pay an annual $50 membership fee, due July 1 for the upcoming fall/spring competitive season.
Current meet fees are:
- Invitational Meet — $37
- State Meet — $50
- National Meet — $75
Meet fees include a coaching fee to help cover coaching wages and competition-related expenses such as food and travel.
The Two Weeks Before Competition
Athletes must attend all required practices during the two full weeks immediately preceding a competition.
These final practices are especially important for routine preparation, consistency, confidence, safety, and last-minute coaching adjustments.
Competition Day
Please plan to arrive at the competition site approximately one hour before your athlete’s scheduled warm-up time.
Upon arrival:
- Obtain your competitor’s number and make sure it is written on their hand as instructed.
- Text Mr. D at 563-663-8483 to let him know you have arrived.
- Have your athlete report to the coach on time, completely dressed and ready to compete.
- Athletes should know their age, level, routine, and competition procedures.
While we do everything possible to have a coach personally available for each athlete, competitors must also be prepared to perform independently. Athletes should remain alert, listen carefully to competition officials, and understand the competition process.
Important: An athlete’s age and level may be called three times. If the athlete does not report after the third call, they may no longer be eligible to compete.
Competition Appearance
Athletes should arrive competition-ready.
- Hair must be securely pulled back and remain completely away from the face and floor.
- Sports bras and straps may not show.
- No jewelry, watches, or earrings.
- No fingernail or toenail polish.
- No body stickers or temporary tattoos.
- Team warm-up suits are not worn into the competition warm-up area.
Competition Uniform & Equipment
Team athletes will need:
- DDSGC Team Warm-Up — please allow approximately 10–12 weeks for ordering.
- Competition Leotard or Boys’ Competition Uniform — see Miss Dee for ordering information.
Girls’ and boys’ team uniforms may also be worn during class.
Preparing the Athlete
Competitive athletes perform best when their bodies are properly fueled, hydrated, conditioned, and rested.
We encourage our athletes to develop healthy everyday habits, including fresh and whole foods, fruits and vegetables, eggs, whole grains, plenty of water, daily stretching, and appropriate strength and abdominal conditioning.
On competition mornings, please provide a balanced breakfast such as eggs, whole-grain toast, fruit, and water. Heavy or high-sugar breakfasts can leave athletes feeling sluggish and may interfere with concentration and performance.
Parents & Spectators
Parents, family members, and friends are not permitted on the competition floor or inside restricted competitive areas.
Please do not approach competition directors, judges, officials, or coaches from other teams regarding competition concerns. Questions or concerns should be directed to your DDSGC head coach so they can be handled through the appropriate channels.
We ask our families to help us create a positive competitive atmosphere. Cheer for your athlete, encourage teammates, celebrate effort and improvement, and demonstrate respect toward judges, officials, coaches, competitors, and other teams.
Inappropriate or disruptive behavior can affect an athlete’s ability to participate, so we appreciate everyone’s help in representing DDSGC with kindness and good sportsmanship.
After Your Athlete Competes
Once your athlete has finished competing, they should report directly to the designated awards area and remain there until awards are presented.
There is often a waiting period between competition and awards. We appreciate everyone’s patience while scores are finalized and awards are prepared.
Tuition & Team Enrollment
Competitive Team is a year-round commitment.
Current tuition and program fees are available on our Prices page.
If you need to discontinue Competitive Team, DDSGC requires a full 30-day notice:
- By March 1 for the summer term
- By July 1 for the school-year term
Our team staffing is planned well in advance. Coaches must be hired, trained, certified, and scheduled according to team enrollment. For this reason, notice must be received by the stated deadlines. Families remain responsible for fees according to the registration form and online enrollment agreement when proper notice is not provided.
Our Team Philosophy
Our goal is to place athletes at the level where they can safely develop, build confidence, and experience success.
Competitive tumbling is about much more than scores and placements. Athletes learn perseverance, responsibility, preparation, teamwork, independence, and how to handle both successes and disappointments with grace.
We want our athletes to work hard, support one another, respect their competitors and officials, and walk away from every competition knowing they represented themselves and DDSGC with pride.
We are excited to welcome athletes and families who are ready to become part of the DDSGC Competitive Tumbling Team!