Last updated at 16:03, Friday, 21 September 2012

ENTHUSIASTIC children attended Millom Recreation Centre’s first gymnastics taster session last weekend, and this evening most are expected to sign up to the club’s new weekly classes, reports RACHEL HERMOLLE

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IT has been 10 years since Millom has had its own gymnastics club, but the sport will be making a welcome return to the town later this month.

New weekly classes are set to be held at Millom Recreation Centre from September 22.

Sessions will run every Saturday morning, coached by a group of former Millom Gymnastic club members, including Tracy Kirk, Debbie Moorhouse, Sian Needham, Stacy Turner, Lynsey Ferguson and Julia Norris.

Tracy Kirk is one of four newly-qualified instructors who attended a British Gymnastic Coaching course funded by Copeland Borough Council, and she is keen to put her training into practice.

She said: “Gymnastics at MRC will be taught by qualified coaches with sessions jam-packed full of different things to keep your little ones busy from events and badge work to performing in annual displays. Our ethos is all about having an enjoyable experience, and making gymnastics fun.

“We decided to set up a gymnastics class in Millom as we realised there were not many activities for girls in the town and with all the hype surrounding the Olympics, it seemed like the perfect time.

“We couldn’t have done it without Copeland Borough Council, who funded four British Gymnastic Coaching courses, Millom School, who donated a set of A-bars and The Neighbourhood Forum, Cumbria Community Foundation, Co-op, Nuclear Management Partners and Millom Rotary club who provided funding for some of the equipment.”

Although Tracy expected the new gym classes to be quite popular, she was surprised to see 140 children turn up to the club’s taster sessions at Millom Recreation Centre last Saturday.

She said: “We are even considering holding an extra class because of the amount of interest.”

Anybody interested in joining the gymnastics club is asked to visit the centre today between 5pm and 7pm to register.

Classes cost £38 for 10 weeks and each child will be divided into three separate sessions, depending on age and ability.

Tracy said: “Our gymnastics programme consists of classes designed to help children develop physically and socially within a structured programme, catering for children as young as five, right up to those in their teens.

“Everyone enters the gymnastics programme at a general level to ensure you master the basics before progressing and our coaches regularly asses gymnasts to ensure they are continually progressing through our well-structured programme. We teach gymnastics skills on the floor and on the vault, moving on to incorporate the bars, beam, and tumbling.

“Then, once you’ve found your feet on the floor and perfected your balance and co-ordination, students can progress to an advanced coaching programme which offers a higher level of training. These advanced classes are for gymnasts by invitation only and will focus on those who we think have the potential to perform in competitions.”

Gymnastics is not just fun. It can also keep you fit.

Tracy explains: “Gymnastics is a great way to develop physically and socially while having lots of fun. And beyond that it works virtually every muscle in the body and is a great way to stay in shape.

“Gymnastics is an excellent sport for both boys and girls, which develops strength, co-ordination, self confidence and body awareness skills for life.

“The benefits of gymnastics are endless. Participation in gymnastics helps the child learn to listen and follow directions, builds self-esteem and confidence, helps with goal setting skills, concentration, determination, helps develop social interaction, enhances performance and develops attention to detail.

“It encourages children to work at their own pace. There is no need to keep up with the pack. Gymnasts are encouraged to achieve their personal best. They learn to listen to their body and know how far they can push themselves safely.

First published at 16:01, Friday, 21 September 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk