What can you wear to compete?
As a result of some parent feedback in 2023, a review was done into competition attire across all gymnastics sports. This included a comprehensive survey of competitive gymnasts that received well over 200 responses where our athletes told us they want to feel comfortable and safe, and so updates were made to reflect that.
Gymnastics NZ Regulations – All Codes
- Athletes may choose to wear gymnastics shorts or leggings over their leotard.
- Hair can be worn in any style, provided it is securely fastened.
- Bandages, strapping and braces – where available these should be skin-coloured or beige, white or black.
- No deductions will be given for underwear showing during a routine.
These are in addition to each code-specific regulation below.
Code-Specific Regulations
Aerobic Gymnastics Competition Attire Regulations
International representative athletes
Please note that FIG competition attire regulations may differ and will apply to all gymnasts when competing at selection events for, and when representing New Zealand at FIG competitions. These regulations can be found in the AER Code of Points. Athletes competing overseas at non-FIG competitions should check the rules of the event before travelling.
Athletes at domestic competitions
The following regulations apply to all competitive gymnasts at domestic competitions in New Zealand.
National Levels (1-9) Programme/International Programme
- One-piece leotards or long singlet top (fitted) and bike pants.
- Athletes may wear gymnastics shorts or full-length tights.
- Boys may wear shorts or tights.
- Transparent material may be used on sleeves.
- Clean aerobics shoes must be worn (athletic shoes may be worn up to Level 5) with laces tucked away.
- Loose jewellery (bracelets or necklaces) must not be worn, but small stud-type earrings are permitted. (Consideration should be given in multiples dependent on collaborations between gymnasts).
Aerobics Dance
- Attire rules are as above. The following additional rules apply to dance aerobics
- The attire of team members can be different but must be coordinated.
- A skirt that does not fall further than the pelvic area may be worn over leotard/unitard.
- Baggy clothes, additional items/props (tubes, sticks, balls, etc.) and accessories (belts, braces, bands, etc.) are not permitted.
New Zealand Gymnastics Championships
- For the New Zealand Gymnastics Championship, gymnasts must wear tracksuits, including track pants or leggings (provincial colours or black), for march on and prize-givings.
- International athletes may march on in their leotard for finals.
Deductions
Violation of these rules will result in a penalty of 0.2 points applied by the Control Judge, which will be deducted from the total score of any of routine in which the violation occurs.
Only one deduction can be applied for attire violations in a routine.
Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Competition Attire Regulations
International representative athletes
Please note that FIG competition attire regulations may differ and will apply to all gymnasts when competing at selection events for, and when representing New Zealand at FIG competitions. These regulations can be found in the MAG Code of Points. Athletes competing overseas at non-FIG competitions should check the rules of the event before travelling.
Athletes at domestic competitions
The following regulations apply to all competitive gymnasts at domestic competitions in New Zealand.
- Gymnasts have the option of wearing short pants with or without socks or long gymnastics pants with socks on floor exercise and vault.
- Level 6+ gymnasts must wear long gymnastics pants and socks on pommel horse, rings, parallel bars, and horizontal bar. Long gymnastics pants, socks and/or slippers that are black or the darker shades of blue, brown or green are not permitted.
- The wearing of a gymnastics unitard on all apparatus is compulsory.
- Gymnasts have the option of wearing of gymnastic footwear and / or socks. It is recommended that juniors wear socks (white or club colours – no dark colours) on all swinging apparatus.
- The competition attire must be identical for members from the same team in the qualification and team final competitions. If this is not possible due to supply issues etc, the MAG TC should be notified prior to the competition.
- Gymnasts must refrain from wearing compression sleeves during competition. Handguards, body bandages, and wrist wraps are permitted; they must be securely fastened and in good repair.
New Zealand Gymnastics Championships
- For the New Zealand Gymnastics Championship, gymnasts may march on in a leotard or tracksuit. If wearing a tracksuit, track pants or leggings are permitted (provincial colours or black).
- For prize-givings, athletes must wear their track suit including track pants or leggings (provincial colours or black).
- For Day 2 of the National Championships, gymnasts may wear a unitard of their own choice, but it must be in their Provincial colours.
- Gymnasts who have represented New Zealand in the previous 12 months may wear their New Zealand team unitard.
Deductions
- Violation of these rules may result in a penalty of 0.3 points applied by the Control Judge, which will be deducted from the total score of any of routine in which the violation occurs.
- Before a deduction is applied, judges will speak with the athlete and give them the opportunity to resolve the violation.
- Team competition: non-identical singlets (for gymnasts from the same team) may incur a penalty of 1.00 in qualification and team final taken once in competition phase.
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Competition Attire Regulations
International representative athletes
Please note that FIG competition attire regulations may differ and will apply to all gymnasts when competing at selection events for, and when representing New Zealand at FIG competitions. These regulations can be found in the WAG Code of Points. Athletes competing overseas at non-FIG competitions should check the rules of the event before traveling.
Athletes at domestic competitions
The following regulations apply to all competitive gymnasts at domestic competitions in New Zealand.
- Gymnasts must wear an appropriate leotard, or unitard (i.e. a one-piece item of clothing with full length leg cover from hips to ankles) in club or representative colours.
- If shorts or leggings are worn, they should be either black or the primary colour of the provincial leotard and either be plain or with a discrete logo.
- The leotard, or unitard, may be sleeveless, short or long sleeved. Mesh fabric underlain by a skin-coloured fabric is permitted.
- In the team competition the design of the leotard, or unitard, should be identical for all members of the team. If this is not possible due to supply issues etc. the WAG TC should be notified prior to the competition. Within the team, the gymnasts may choose to wear either the leotard, or unitard, or add fitted shorts or leggings.
- Gymnasts competing as individuals (i.e. not as part of a team) may wear differing attire, even if they are from the same club.
- Gymnasts may wear gymnastic shoes and/or socks.
- Hand grips, bandages and wrist wraps are permitted. They must be securely fastened and in good repair.
- For safety, loose jewellery (bracelets or necklaces) must not be worn, but small stud-type earrings are permitted.
- Hip or other padding is not permitted.
- Hair must be securely fastened so as not to cover the face or come into contact with equipment while performing.
- At two-day competitions, gymnasts may choose to wear a leotard of their own choice on the second day of competition.
New Zealand Gymnastics Championships
- For the New Zealand Gymnastics Championship, gymnasts may march on in a leotard or tracksuit. If wearing a tracksuit, track pants or leggings are permitted (provincial colours or black).
- For prize-givings, athletes must wear their track suit including track pants or leggings (provincial colours or black).
- For Day 2 of the championships, gymnasts may wear a leotard, or unitard, of their own choice, but it must be in their Provincial colours.
- Those gymnasts who have represented New Zealand in the previous 12 months may wear their New Zealand team leotard.
Deductions
- Violation of these rules may result in a penalty of 0.3 points applied by the control judge, which will be deducted from the total score of any of routine in which the violation occurs.
- Before a deduction is applied, judges will speak with the athlete and give them the opportunity to resolve the violation.
- Team competition: non-identical leotards (for gymnasts from the same team) may incur a penalty of 1.00 in qualification and team final taken once in competition phase.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Competition Attire Regulations
International representative athletes
Please note that FIG competition attire regulations may differ and will apply to all gymnasts when competing at selection events for, and when representing New Zealand at FIG competitions. These regulations can be found in the RG Code of Points. Athletes competing overseas at non-FIG competitions should check the rules of the event before travelling.
Athletes at domestic competitions
The following regulations apply to all competitive gymnasts at domestic competitions in New Zealand.
- Gymnasts must wear a 1-piece leotard or unitard. Leotard/unitard must be in non-transparent material. Parts in lace (from the trunk to the chest) must be lined. For the pelvic/crotch area (with or without a skirt):
- This should be covered with non-transparent, non-skin-coloured material up to the hip bones.
- A solid, coloured connection between the front and the back of the leotard is required.
- The connection may be from fabric or applications but must give the impression of a whole material (not separate pieces).
- The connection must appear at the hip bones or lower.
- The style of neckline of the front and back of the leotard is at the athlete’s discretion.
- Leotards may be with or without sleeves; leotards with narrow straps also allowed.
- The cut of the leotard at the top of the legs must not go beyond the fold of the crotch (maximum).
- The leotard must be fitted to enable the judges to evaluate the correct position of every part of the body, this also includes fitted sleeves.
- The leotard must be all in one piece and with no additional socks, gloves, leg warmers, belts etc. With the exception of toe shoes.
- For gymnasts wearing leggings or a unitard, the length and colours(s) must be identical on both legs, only the style (cut or decorations) may be different.
- Gymnasts may wear a skirt provided that it does not fall further than the pelvic area over the leotard, tights, or the unitard.
- The style of the skirt (cut or decorations) is free, but the look of a ballet “tutu” not permitted.
- Gymnasts may perform their exercises with bare feet or toe shoes.
Decorative appliques or details on the leotard
- Decorative details should not jeopardize the safety of the gymnast. It is not allowed to decorate leotard with light-emitting diodes (LED)
Other
- For safety, loose jewellery (bracelets or necklaces) must not be worn, but small stud-type earrings are permitted.
- Make-up is not required but can be worn if wished.
New Zealand Gymnastics Championships
- For the New Zealand Gymnastics Championship, gymnasts must wear track suits, including track pants or leggings (provincial colours or black), for march on and prize-givings.
- International athletes may march on in their leotard for finals.
Deductions
- Violation of these rules may result in a penalty of 0.3 points applied by the control judge, which will be deducted from the total score of any of routine in which the violation occurs.
- Before a deduction is applied, judges will speak with the athlete and give them the opportunity to resolve the violation.
Trampoline, Tumbling, and Double Mini Competition Attire Regulations
International representative athletes
Please note that FIG competition attire regulations may differ and will apply to all gymnasts when competing at selection events for, and when representing New Zealand at FIG competitions. These regulations can be found in the TRA Code of Points. Athletes competing overseas at non-FIG competitions should check the rules of the event before traveling.
Athletes at domestic competitions
- The following regulations apply to all competitive gymnasts at domestic competitions in New Zealand.
- Sleeveless, short or long-sleeved leotard or unitard.
- Gymnastics shorts, leggings or gymnastics longs.
- White trampoline shoes and/or foot covering or of the same colour as the gym shorts/longs.
- For safety, no jewellery or watches should be worn during an event.
- Rings without gemstones may be worn if they are taped.
- Bra-strap clips must be covered by leotard/singlet to prevent damage to the trampoline-bed.
- Synchronised uniform - while it is encouraged, there is no requirement at New Zealand events for synchronised athletes to wear the same uniform while competing.
New Zealand Gymnastics Championships
- For the New Zealand Gymnastics Championship, gymnasts may march on in a leotard or tracksuit. If wearing a tracksuit, track pants or leggings are permitted (provincial colours or black).
- For prize-givings, athletes must wear their track suit including track pants or leggings (provincial colours or black).
- For finals, gymnasts who have represented New Zealand in the previous 12 months may wear their New Zealand team leotard.
Deductions
- Violation of these rules may result in a penalty of 0.2 points applied by the Control Judge, which will be deducted from the total score of any of routine in which the violation occurs.
- Before a deduction is applied, judges will speak with the athlete and give them the opportunity to resolve the violation.
GNZ Parkour Attire Regulations
Competition attire
- Should not hinder the athlete in their performance and execution and ensure that all movements can be executed safely. Loose and additional items are not permitted.
- May include t-shirts, polo shirts, sweater with or without sleeves. Shorts, short pants, sweatpants or trousers (not affecting safety) and leggings may also be worn.
- Should be clean and free of holes and not torn or ripped.
Does not need to be a club uniform, or in the same attire as other athletes from the same club. - It is recommended that athletes wear suitable sport or running shoes of their choice particularly for outdoor courses. It is recommended to have a separate pair of shoes to train and compete on the course.
- May wear jewelry but it should not hinder the athlete’s performance or be unsafe.
Deductions
Breach of the above-mentioned rules will result in a penalty of 2 seconds added to the final time for the speed event by the CJP (chair of the judges panel) and in freestyle a deduction of 2 points from the total score by the CJP. The technical delegate must approve these penalties.