GYMNASTS both experienced and new to the sport have been enjoying the opportunity to learn some new skills at Furness Gymnastics Club's summer camps.

Aimed at girls aged between six and 15, the camps included gymnastics training, tumbling, fun and games, team building activities, face painting, dance sessions, rhythmic ribbon work, gymnastics-themed arts and crafts, and fitness, strength and flexibility training.

The sessions at the club's Greater Kings Hall base proved popular with newcomers and established members, and coach Lindsey Usher was delighted to see so many girls enjoying the sport.

“The camps are designed for everybody really,” she said. “They're designed for children who have never done it before, and complete beginners can get a really good insight into the sport and what it's all about.

“We start them on the fundamental moves they need to progress in the future and for the more advanced ones, who are maybe already coming once or twice a week, it's about moving on to the next stage and trying to up their skill level, and push on for the next year.

“The camps are more about having fun, so our competitive gymnasts, who really have to knuckle down and work extremely hard to get where they want, it's a good time for them to relax a bit and try things they haven't been able to do because they have to do set routines.”

Some of the club's regional gymnasts have also been getting involved in the coaching side and passing their knowledge onto some of the younger attendees.

“We've been introducing gymnastics to them by giving them a go on different apparatus and giving them an insight into what gymnastics is,” said Emma Newsham, 15.

"It's nice to a different aspect of gymnastics in coaching instead of training.”

The camps are aimed as much at established members of the club as those who are new to gymnastics.

“It's really nice here and really fun.” said nine-year-old Imogen Stoker, who has been training with Furness for two years. “We've got arts and crafts, and gymnastics, which is good.”

And the success of Team GB's gymnasts at the Rio Olympics, particularly Amy Tinkler earning a bronze medal in the women's floor event, has helped inspire all of the girls involved.

“They've definitely come in with a new burst of enthusiasm,” said Dickings. “Gymnastics isn't an easy sport, it can be challenging at times and the girls have to push past barriers they might have in certain moves or being scared to go for something.

“Just that little bit of a push from watching something like the Olympics really helps them to move on.”