Athlete Development

Our athlete training incorporates a range of programs designed to provide for the development of fundamental basic twirls through our Skills Development Program (SDP) to the mastery of elite baton elements through camps and clinics.

The SDP is divided into 2 parts: Body Technique and Baton Technique.  The SDP consists of an entry level White ribbon and then progresses through 14 badges and 4 pins each requiring the completion of a number of skills complemented by a number of fun games and activities.

The program was developed to teach baton skills from basic skills to advanced tricks in a logical order, to facilitate learning. The 19 different ribbons/badges/pins that can be earned through the program include:

White Ribbon           

Yellow Badge                          Rolls Badge 1

Orange Badge                         Rolls Badge 2

Red Badge                              Rolls Badge 3

Maroon Badge                         2-Baton Badge 1

Bronze Pin                              2-Baton Badge 2

Grey Badge                             2-Baton Badge 3

Green Badge

Silver Pin

Turquoise Badge

Pink Badge

Gold Pin

Diamond Pin

Athletes participating in the Skills Development Program who are looking for more challenge may learn and participate in Pre-competitive events.  These are standardized routines set to music.  Each athlete is judged based on a national role model.  They perform for a letter grade score and work to improve that score at each competition.  There are no age divisions.

There are 6 different pre-events that are often offered at open and fun competitions. These events include:

Basic March

Pre-Medley

Pre-Solo

Pre-Solo Dance

Pre-2-Baton

Pre-Group

Once an athlete earns the highest letter grade A or the equivalent red ribbon for their pre-event performance this is a fair indication that they are ready for the next level.  Coaches may decide it is time to expand the athletes’ skills, learn competitive event routines and move into the fully competitive arena. 

Athletes may move up in all events or may stay in Pre-competitive for some routines and not others…for example an athlete may move up (at the coaches’ discretion) and perform a Level C Medley but could still be entering in Pre-Solo Dance.  An athlete may not compete in both a Pre-event and competitive event at the same competition…in other words you couldn’t do a pre-Medley and a Level C Medley at the same competition.  

There are 6 different major individual events that are held at every open competition, and Provincial and National Championships. There are also a wide variety of group and team events offered.

The 6 individual events are:

Solo

Duet

2-Baton

3-Baton

Medley

Solo Dance

Athletes are grouped together based on age and competitive level.   Age divisions and status levels are used to determine which category an athlete will compete in.

There are currently four different status levels in Canada.  The following list shows what the levels are and how an athlete moves from one level to another.

Status Levels:

When an athlete first steps into the competitive arena they begin as a Level C (or beginner) athlete.  Scores for a level C athlete range from 0.00 to 2.49 for each classification or event.  A score of 2.5 will advance a Level C athlete to a Level BN effective the following competition.  * Unless there is an open and provincial competition on the same day then depending on the competition director the athlete may have the opportunity to recomplete at the higher level.  (Should the athlete/coach wish the athlete to compete in the Provincial event or compete at the national event in the higher level.  In order to compete at the higher level at nationals).

LEVEL BN (or Novice athlete): is the status level of an athlete/duet whose scores range between 2.50 and 3.99 in that particular classification.  A score of 4.0 or greater will advance a ‘C’ or ‘BN’ Competitor to Level BI regardless of placement.

LEVEL BI (or Intermediate athlete): is the status level of an athlete/duet whose scores range between 4.00 and 5.99 in that particular classification.  A score of 6.0 or greater will advance a ‘C’, ‘BN’ or ‘BI’ Competitor to Level A regardless of placement.

LEVEL A (or Advanced athlete):  is the status level of an athlete/duet whose scores range between 6.00 and 10.00 in that particular classification. 

There are also 3 different events that are held at Provincial Team Trials, Canadian Team Trials and the World Championships. Often an open competition will offer to have the judges critique the routines in these various events to give the athletes a chance to practice their routines and get valuable feed back on them. These events include:

Freestyle - (Senior Women, Junior Women, Senior Men, Junior Men)

Pairs - (Senior Pair, Junior Pair)

Teams – (CBTF, WBTF)

Athletes' Creed

We, the athletes, promise to maintain a positive and friendly attitude on and off the competition floor. We will adhere to the rules and regulations at all time and demonstrate respect for judges, coaches, parents, volunteers, competitors and, most of all, ourselves.

Contact us today! 

 
We welcome all questions and comments. 

Please see our Contact Us page for complete contact information.