Sanctioned Activities
The Gymnastics Ontario master insurance only covers sanctioned activities. Sanctioned acknowledges that an activity is considered to be part of the Gymnastics Ontario Program.
Club activities that are not sanctioned by Gymnastics Ontario (non-gymnastics activities) can be covered by clubs on a separate liability policy direct through Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited by contacting Melissa Larocca at melissa_larocca@ajg.com
Gymnastics Ontario wants clubs to have a clear understanding of which activities are sanctioned and which are not. If there are any questions if an activity is sanctioned, please email operations@gymnasticsontario.ca.
Invitational Events/Competitions/Showcases
Please note that Gymnastics Ontario sets specific registration requirements based on the type of event, and it is on the onus of clubs that host events to ensure that all participants are appropriately registered members of Gymnastics Ontario and that all participants act within the scope they are registered in.
Training
Training is defined as an organized and structured regimen of exercise and physical activity geared to enhance a participant’s skill level and overall abilities towards an end (i.e. improvement, competition, new skill acquisition). The definition of training activities extends to daily training, gymnastics training camps, NCCP training, and other courses hosted by Gymnastics Ontario. All participants must be registered members of Gymnastics Ontario and act within the scope they are registered in.
As part of training the following activities are covered
- Conditioning
- Dance for choreography
- Slacklining as part of gymnastics training (must be indoors and no higher that 2’ from the ground)
- Voda board on trampoline (trampolines may only be utilized if a Gymnastics Foundations Trampoline Certified coach or equivalent Level 1 certified coach, at minimum) is actively supervising the trampoline. No inversions may be performed.
- Gymnastics activities and crafts at camps
Demonstrations
Demonstrations are defined as an organized, structured exhibition of gymnastics skills or routines intended to display the positive attributes of the sport. Purposes of demonstrations may be to attract interest and/or increase membership for participating clubs, showcase and promote athletes or highlight gymnastics as part of a larger event or competition. All participants of the demonstration must be registered members of Gymnastics Ontario and act within the scope they are registered in.
When demonstrations are performed outside of the Member Club’s facility, the Member Club must complete the Event Sanctioning Form and submit to operations@gymnasticsontario.ca for approval
Birthday Parties
Birthday Parties are expected to maintain structured gymnastics activities within the definition of sanctioned activities as defined by Gymnastics Ontario with the possible consumption of “party food” in a supervised environment within the member club facility. Birthday parties are NOT to include cosmic nor bungee trampoline. Please be aware of potential food allergies and take steps to ensure participant safety.
Unless birthday party participants are registered members, they do not have access to the Sport Accident Insurance.
Coaches facilitating Birthday Parties must be minimum NCCP Level 1 certified or Gymnastics Foundations trained.
Ensure that all participants and coaches are aware that trampolines may only be utilized if a Level 1 Trampoline Certified or Foundations Trampoline trained coach, at minimum, is actively supervising the trampoline. No inversions may be performed.
Facility Rental
Registered member clubs can provide their facility to any individuals or groups (this includes cheerleading squads, sports groups and others) provided the group or individuals have their own insurance and add both the club and Gymnastics Ontario as additional insured on their policy. The insurance certificate must have a minimum of $5,000,000 liability prior to the rental taking place. A list of all names must be kept on record for insurance purposes. A copy of the insurance certificate must be on file at the club and Gymnastics Ontario.
Promotional Activities
Activities such as “Bring a Friend Day, Try-It, and School Visits” are covered under Gymnastics Ontario’s Master Insurance Policy if appropriate safety standards are met for coaching and equipment. There must be a structured component and it is understood that the Club is trying to promote its gymnastics programs and generate new members. This coverage is for promotional activities only and not for participation in any form of regularly scheduled programs. A list of all names must be kept on file for insurance purposes. If an individual participates in any programming more than three (3) times, then he/she must be registered with Gymnastics Ontario.
NOTE: The number of allowable promotional/trial visits is three (3) per individual. A list of all names must be kept on file for insurance purposes.
Non Sanctioned Activities
Any activities not sanctioned by Gymnastics Ontario are considered non-sanctioned and thus not covered by Gymnastics Ontario insurance policy should an incident occur. When determining whether an activity is considered a gymnastics activity, Gymnastics Ontario looks at whether the skills, movements, progressions, and techniques can be recognized and categorized into a specific program governed by Gymnastics Ontario.
Activities that are not sanctioned are not covered by the Gymnastics Ontario master insurance policy and the club must seek coverage for the non-sanctioned activities on its own.
Following are examples of activities NOT covered under the Gymnastics Ontario master policy
Other Sport Activities
Any other sport activities, other than gymnastics activities, are not sanctioned by Gymnastics Ontario and therefore not covered under the master insurance policy.
Movie Nights, Sleep Overs, Parades
Are not considered gymnastics activities and not sanctioned by Gymnastics Ontario and therefore not covered under the master insurance policy.
Fundraising/Information Booth
Although funding raising and information booths are activities that raise money and promote your club, these activities are not considered gymnastics activities and are therefore not sanctioned and not covered under the Gymnastics Ontario master insurance program.
Cosmic and bungee trampoline
Cosmic and bungee trampoline are considered high risk activities and therefore not covered under the Gymnastics Ontario master insurance policy.
Summer Camp Activities
Summer camp activities that are not gymnastics or crafts are not sanctioned by Gymnastics Ontario and therefore not covered under the master insurance policy. This includes outdoor field trips and other sporting activities
Licensed Day Care Programs
Licensed Day Care Programs are not considered a gymnastics activity and therefore not sanctioned nor covered under the Gymnastics Ontario master insurance policy.
BBQ’s and Christmas Parties
BBQ’s and Christmas parties are not considered gymnastics activities and therefore not covered under the Gymnastics Ontario master insurance policy.
Bouncy Castle
Bouncy Castles are not sanctioned by Gymnastics Ontario and therefore are not covered under the master insurance policy.
Parkour
The use of the term “Parkour” and Parkour programming is not permitted as coaches have not been formally trained in a recognized National Coaching Certification Program.
Clubs may receive sanctioning for a ninja program. This is not the same as parkour. For more information please see Activities Requiring Individual Sanctioning.
Aerial Silks/Circus Arts
There are components of Circus and Aerial Silks that are recognizable and relatable to gymnastics; however, there is no formal National Coach Certification Program for Circus, and the addition of Circus apparatus or skills that are done outside of the context of gymnastics cannot be recognized as a sanctioned activity.
Cheerleading
Although there are components of Cheerleading that relate to gymnastics, there is no formal National Coaching Certification Program for Cheerleading, therefore Gymnastics Ontario cannot recognize Cheerleading as a sanctioned activity.
The above listed activities can be covered by clubs on a separate liability policy directly through Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited by contacting Melissa Larocca melissa_larocca@ajg.com
These are not all of the activities not sanctioned by Gymnastics Ontario, but a list of common activities not covered.
Activities Requiring Individual Sanctioning
- Attendance at competitions outside of Canada
- Banquets and Awards (no liquor)
- Ninja
- Traversing Walls /Climbing Walls
- Mall and beach circuits – Try It Zones (open to public)
To receive sanctioning for Ninja or Traversing Walls contact Gymnastics Ontario at info@gymnasticsontario.ca to receive an application form.