Newton Coaches Disappointed with MIAA Decision to End Boys' Gymnastics

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) decided this week to drop boys' gymnastics from the official MIAA competition starting next year. 

Coaches and athletes at the seven schools that offer the sport are "furious" with the decision, My Fox Boston reported this week, arguing that some programs will dissolve completely without MIAA recognition.

Both Newton North and Newton South high schools offer a boys' gymnastics program. The five other schools with a program are Braintree, Burlington, Lowell, Attleboro and Andover.

According to a report earlier this week on Braintree Patch, the National Federation of State High School Associations declined to write new rules for boys' gymnastics, citing a lack of participation by enough states. This, at least in part, lead to the MIAA deliberations, according to Braintree High School Athletic Director Michael Denise.

"Rules haven't changed much since I was competing 40 years ago," Newton North gymnastics coach Steven Chan told My Fox Boston. "So the rules we have right now, we could use the same rules for another 40 years."

Coaches have drafted a letter to the MIAA asking the association to overturn the decision, My Fox Boston reported.

For more information, read the full story on My Fox Boston and more information on Braintree Patch.