Professional Development
Professional Development Across the Board
As professionals, it's important to continuously develop our skills to grow personally and stay current in our respective fields. This can be achieved through various means, such as attending conferences, workshops, online courses, and mentorship programs. Investing in our professional development enhances our performance and effectiveness at work, which contributes to the success of our organization.
In July 2023, our team attended the Varsity University All-Star Cheer Conference in New Orleans. The conference covered a range of topics, including scoring rules, effective practice planning, competition scheduling, and fostering a winning culture within cheer programs. Our staff eagerly participated in informative classes and interacted with gym owners and staff from across the country, sharing valuable insights about the all-star industry.
Each staff member was expected to implement at least one new thing they learned from the program. During our staff meeting in August, Gavin led a game focused on communication techniques, demonstrating how different methods of communication can lead to varied results. One important lesson we learned was to recognize that athletes who ask questions are seeking to understand the message being conveyed.
Ryan and Sav attended sessions on organizing practice drills, scores, and stunts for all team members. From these sessions, they developed a conditioning and performance program called Routine Ready Allstar, specifically designed for allstar athletes. The program aims to enhance athletes' physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, leading to a thriving full-out routine and season. It includes weight training that focuses on specific muscle areas not typically exercised during regular practice sessions.
Heather and Leise integrated iClassPro's functionality into a new website that showcases comprehensive class descriptions, a quiz to help parents identify the optimal class for their child, and an account setup wizard to facilitate effortless enrollment. These improvements enhance the user experience, making the platform more intuitive and user-friendly.
Emily participated in a Cat Haley Cheerleading class and learned safe and effective methods of teaching jumps and flexibility within the Cat Haley approach. She and Izzy also gained insight into the importance of fostering a culture of inclusivity and community. They are committed to creating new traditions, providing unwavering support, and offering meaningful experiences for athletes throughout their lives.
Austin discovered a simple yet effective method to boost the confidence of athletes. By aiming to improve their scores by 0.5 in between competitions, coaches, and athletes can identify areas for growth and optimize performance throughout the season. Demonstrating concrete evidence of progress is paramount in elevating athletes' self-belief and motivation. Furthermore, he gained valuable knowledge on how to tackle mental barriers and performance anxiety through techniques such as skill visualization, gradual skill development, and practicing skills that don't elicit anxiety.
The United Scoring Score Sheet session was a highly anticipated event attended by all members of the Genesis Athletix staff. It provided updated information on each level's scoring sheet and insights on designing routines that align with the score sheet requirements. Coaches could ask clarifying questions about score sheet interpretations and submit a skill video to Scoring Specialists for accurate scoring in Accuscore.
Our recent conference in New Orleans proved to be exceptionally advantageous, as it furnished us with invaluable insights and tools for the upcoming season. We are committed to scheduling staff meetings that focus on development, as well as conducting one-on-one sessions with coaches and owners. We firmly believe that the professional growth of all staff members is vital to the success of our program and our ongoing progress.
