Applications for participating in the Trampoline Development Center (TDC) in 2015 are now available, and completed applications must be received by March 13, 2015. The TDC program’s goal is to develop trampoline and tumbling in the United States by incorporating competitive trampoline into the curriculum in gyms across the nation to expand its Olympic pipeline. At total of 10 clubs have already been identified as a Trampoline Development Center, and three new clubs will be chosen for 2015.
After the clubs are selected to participate in the Trampoline Development Center (TDC) program, Joy Umenhofer, a member of the national trampoline coaching staff, visits each selected club three times to educate the gym, its coaches and athletes about trampoline. To complete the training program and earn the Trampoline Development Center designation, the selected gymnastics clubs host training sessions for coaches, athletes and officials; select a club trampoline team; and stage a local trampoline competition. The topics covered in the educational clinics include scheduling, coaching and teaching trampoline, basic skills, conditioning and flexibility, and progressions; talent identification development programs; and interactive coach and athlete training sessions. Each club also receives marketing materials, operational guidelines and curriculum support. The TDC program’s format provides clubs with the trampoline knowledge needed to establish and their programs by the conclusion of the third visit. In addition, other clubs in the area are encouraged to attend the coach education sessions and learn about expanding their programming to include trampoline.
Umenhofer is a member of the USA Gymnastics national coaching staff for trampoline and tumbling and junior men. She has coached several trampoline and tumbling national and World Age Group champions, as well as placing athletes on all trampoline and tumbling developmental teams. Umenhofer, a former gym club owner, is currently the head trampoline and tumbling coach at Matrix.
The 10 clubs already in the Trampoline Development Center program are: 2013 – Mills Gymnastics USA in Southgate, Mich., Wendy Hilliard Foundation in New York City, California Sports Center in San Jose, Calif., and Suncoast Gymnastics Academy in Odessa, Fla.; and 2014 – Oconee Gymnastics & Cheer in Watkinsville, Ga., Montgomery County Sports Performance Center in Harleysville, Pa., Gymfinity of Fitchburg, Wis., Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex of Williamsburg, Va., DC Gymnastics and Tumbling in Wildomar, Calif., and Roots in Westfield, Mass.
Please visit the TDC webpage at usagym.org/tdc for more information.