The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Board of Directors has voted 13-0, with one abstention, to reinstate boys high school gymnastics and recognize it as a state-sanctioned sport in Massachusetts. USA Gymnastics worked closely with the National Federation of State High School Associations to provide boys’ gymnastics rules to run the state’s competitive high school program, which addressed one of the concerns noted when the Board originally decided to drop the sport last January.
“We are grateful to the MIAA and its Board for reevaluating its previous decision to drop sanctioned boys’ high school gymnastics in Massachusetts,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics, in a statement released immediately following the decision. “Today’s meeting provided the high school coaches and community with the opportunity to address the issues and offer workable solutions. USA Gymnastics is pleased to be a part of the solution by being able to provide rules and regulations for the sport. Today’s decision means that the state’s students will have the opportunity to continue to benefit from gymnastics and pursue their athletic dreams.”
USA Gymnastics proposed adapted rules and regulations from its men’s Junior Olympic program for use by the high school program.
“We commend the passion and dedication of the Massachusetts gymnastics community and its ability to pull together to address the situation, as well as the MIAA for its willingness to listen to them and reconsider its earlier decision,” said Penny. “This is a win-win for everyone involved.”
About USA Gymnastics: Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and group gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usagym.org.
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