{"id":290844,"date":"2025-07-25T14:49:16","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T14:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/290844\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T14:49:16","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T14:49:16","slug":"how-arena-gymnastics-in-greenwich-is-training-the-next-generation-of-usa-gymnastics-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/290844\/","title":{"rendered":"How Arena Gymnastics in Greenwich Is Training the Next Generation of USA Gymnastics Stars"},"content":{"rendered":"

above: (left)<\/strong> Arena Head Coach Laurie DeFrancesco celebrates with Reese Nizielski. (middle and right<\/strong>) Nizielski performs on balance beam at the 2025 USA Gymnastics Level 10 National Championships and receives a bronze medal for the event. Photographs:<\/strong> courtesy of Team Photos<\/p>\n

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Rooted in Passion<\/strong>
Having coached together for more than 40 years, dynamic duo Laurie and Frank DeFrancesco decided it was finally time to open their own gym in 1995, and with that, Arena Gymnastics<\/a>s was born.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrior to owning Arena Gymnastics, Frank and I coached at the Arena of Artistic Gymnastics from 1982 to1995, founded in Stamford in 1974 by the late Joseph Polizzano,\u201d says Laurie. \u201cI was a former gymnast and began my coaching career at the former Muriel Grossfeld\u2019s School of Gymnastics, while still attending Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU).\u00a0I am also an NCAA\/USA Gymnastics National Judge, Co-Founder of the CT Gymnastics Hall of Fame and Former USA Gymnastics State Administrative Committee Chairman. Frank was a former gymnast competing for Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), where he graduated with a BS degree in Physical Education. He served as USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Committee Chairman for the Northeast and was instrumental in the development of the Junior Olympic Program, now known as the USA Gymnastics Development Program,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

The DeFrancescos\u2019 goal when opening Arena was to have a space where they could provide the opportunity for every athlete to pursue their gymnastics goals. Arena caters to varying abilities ranging from beginners to those looking to hone their skills for high-level competition. Their day-to-day roles have evolved over the years, and these days, Laurie is more focused on coaching, and Frank on running the business side of things. With their extensive backgrounds in the sport, knowledge, experience and a shared passion for growing local talent, it\u2019s no wonder their gymnasts have soared to some of the top rankings in the country. \u201cAfter training my first national beam champion, I knew I was hooked on coaching at the highest level,\u201d says Laurie.<\/p>\n

Building Champions<\/strong>
With classes starting for children as young a preschool for both boys and girls and continuing all the way through high school, Arena has something for everyone and attracts talent from both near and far. Progressive skill charts are used for all of their recreational class levels, and gymnasts progress from Beginner classes to Advanced Beginner, to Intermediate, to their Xcel Pre-team. There is also a program called Hot Shots, which is a pre-team for younger students who show the physical attributes and skills to potentially become high level gymnasts.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur Xcel Team competes at the State and Regional level, offering a competitive experience for gymnasts that may have other interests. Our USA Gymnastics Development Team competes at the State, Regional and National level and is well-known for producing quality gymnasts who are being recruited by NCAA Teams,\u201d says Laurie.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Judges watch Nizielski execute a side aerial on the balance beam.<\/p>\n

Grit and Gravity<\/strong>
Gymnastics isn\u2019t solely about physical strength and ability; the mental aspect is just as important, and being in the right headspace while training and competing is equally critical. When asked how she keeps her students inspired and confident, Laurie revealed that \u201cOur gymnasts are motivated by being challenged. We encourage setting smaller goals enroute to their bigger goals. Confidence on a competitive level comes from repetition in training. The confidence to try and obtain harder skills comes from breaking skills down into progressions, allowing the athlete to understand and feel the mechanics of each skill.\u201d<\/p>\n

Safety Smarts<\/strong>
The safety of their gymnasts is a top priority at Arena and all their competitive coaches and directors are Safety Certified through USA Gymnastics and have had multiple years of coaching and\/or competitive experience. \u201cOur approach to teaching and training is to be progressive with skill development. Whether the athlete is in a one-hour recreational class or training 20 hours per week, they develop skills with proper technique,\u201d says Laurie. A commitment to keeping classes small is another way that Arena ensures their athletes are always being closely monitored and getting the right amount of attention. Their student\/coach ratios are seven to one, making their ability to focus on each gymnast individually and provide high-quality coaching far more attainable than many other area gyms.<\/p>\n

A Solid Season<\/strong>
Arena\u2019s competition team recently wrapped up their season with \u201can impressive showing at USA Gymnastics Development Program National Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah,\u201d says Laurie. \u201cReese Nizielski, a Greenwich High School sophomore, finished 6th All Around, 3rd on balance beam and 4th on floor exercise. And one of our athletes, Camryn Pennucci from Wilton, performed a new skill on balance beam that will now be named for her in the USA Gymnastics Code of Points! The \u2018Pennucci\u2019 is a ring jump with half-turn that starts sideways on the balance beam, showing a 180-degree split with the back leg bent to head height and the head released backwards, losing complete sight of the beam,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

With a strong representation on the podium and her gymnasts having moves named after them it\u2019s safe to say that Laurie can\u2019t wait to see what next year will have in store for her teams. For more information, visit arenagymnastics-ct.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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