PGA BOOSTER CLUB
FAQ’S
What is the PGA Booster Club?
It is a 501(c) 3 non profit organization and the primary focus is to help offset the cost the gymnast incurs during competition.
WHO ARE THE MEMBERS?
The members are the parents or guardians of the gymnasts on the PGA competitive team levels 4-10. We often refer to our members as families.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMPULSORY AND OPTIONALS?
Compulsory gymnasts are the levels 4-6 and they compete locally and between the end of August through November. The optional gymnasts are levels 7-10 and they compete locally and out of state and their competition schedule runs from January through May.
HOW DO WE RAISE FUNDS?
In order to offset the cost of competition fees we host gymnastics meets that are USAG sanctioned. A USAG sanctioned meet means that we must follow strict criteria as the gymnast are using the meet to qualify to state. The members (parents & guardians) are expected to work the meets so that we can meet the USAG criteria.
HOW MANY MEETS OR FUNDRAISERS DO WE HOST?
We always host at least 3 meets and bid for a state meet. The three meets that we host are PGA Invitational, Halloween Invitational and the Winter Sun Invitational.
PGA Invite and the Halloween Invite are compulsory meets and Winter Sun is and optional meet.
WHEN DO THE MEETS OR FUNDRAISERS TAKE PLACE?
The meets take place over the weekend. We load up equipment and set-up on a Friday night and the actual competitions takes place on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday when the competition is over we will begin tearing down and then immediately go back to PGA and set Mikes equipment back up.
PGA Invitational Sept.
Halloween Invitational October
Winter sun Invitational January
HOW MUCH ARE WE EXPECTED TO WORK?
Every family is expected to have one family member present at set-up and teardown and they must work two sessions at every meet we host and help on their pre-meet committee.
CAN MY CHILD WORK A SESSION WITH ME TO FULFIL OUR REQUIRMENT?
If your gymnast is 16 or older than they can work to fulfill a session. The meets that we are hosting are USAG sanctioned meets and the judges watch closely to make sure that all rules are followed and that we have responsible people working on the floor. If your child in the JA program at school and would like to do volunteer hours at the meet, we will sign off for them, but if they are under 16 it will not count toward your session requirements.
WHAT IS SET-UP AND TEAR-DOWN?
When we host a meet it is off site from the PGA gym. We rent a facility, which is usually a gymnasium at a high school, and we create a site with all of the gymnastics apparatus (competition floor, beams, vaults, and bars) for the competition. Each family is expected to have at least one person (over 16) represented to help to set up the equipment and then to tear down after the meet is over and set it back up at Phoenix Gymnastics Academy.
WHAT ARE SESSIONS?
A competition is separated into levels and age groups. A session is usually 4 hours long and there are approximately 3-4 sessions in a day depending on how many gymnasts are entered. Every family is required to work at least 2 sessions per meet that PGA is hosting. Sometimes it is necessary to work 3 but not very often and we will tell you in advance if families are required to work more than two sessions per meet.
WHAT IS A PREMEET COMMITTEE?
A pre-meet is a committee that you will help out with prior to the meet weekend. An example is decoration for the meet. If you were on this pre-meet committee you would help build, paint organize what ever needs to get done prior to the meet. It should not be to time consuming it just depends on what needs to be done.
There are several committees so please choose one that you think you will enjoy.
MY CHILD IS COMPETING IN A MEET THIS WEEKEND DO I HAVE TO WORK?
You are only required to work at the PGA sponsored meets (PGA INVITE, HALLOWEEN AND WINTER SUN) although the other gyms would love to have your help and they will not turn you away if you offer to work.
MY CHILD IS NOT COMPETING IN A MEET THAT WE ARE HOSTING DO I STILL HAVE TO WORK?
Yes, all members must work all meets that are hosted by the PGA Booster Club. All optional parents work during the compulsory season and during the optional season when they are competing and the compulsory parents are expected to work during the compulsory season when their gymnast are competing and also during the optional season meet. We will make sure that when the schedule is being made for working the sessions that we do not put you working the same time as your gymnast is competing.
HOW MUCH DOES THE BOOSTER CLUB COVER IN COMPETITION EXPENSES?
The booster club covers approximately 75% of the competition expenses so the members are responsible for approximately 25%. The booster club fees are determined separately for compulsory and optionals. Optional fees are much more because traveling expenses are added into the fees.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE FEES?
The fees include entry fees to all meets including state, coach’s fees and judge’s fees. The coaches also have to attend training provided by the USAG and that is also included in the fees. We also allocate a portion to our Holiday party, Team Banquet which we feel is important to build team spirit. The booster club purchases the warm-ups and then the gymnast rent them from the booster club and this is included in the fee as well. The warm-ups are turned in at the end of each season and are redistributed. This helps to keep cost down for growing gymnast.
HOW DO I GET A LEO?
Donna will measure and order the Leo’s. When they are ready she will let you know the price and when they are ready.
As a booster club we just want to be able to provide the gymnasts with thee the most positive experience possible. We have the best booster club in Arizona. All of our families are outstanding and we host the best meets in town. Every year we get many compliments on how friendly our parents are, the wonderful food that we provide to the coaches and judges and the beautiful decorations. Our meets reflect how well our booster club works together and that we are one big family. I know that this is a lot of info but after the first meet you will get the hang of it and remember we were all new members at one time and we had to learn how it all works so please feel free to ask questions at any time.