Coast club sets national membership record
12 September 2013
Gold Coast Gymnastics Club is celebrating a national record of its own this week as it became the first gymnastics club in Australia to hit the impressive 2,000 member milestone.
With figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicating gymnastics is the third most popular organised sport in Australia amongst girls and also a common choice amongst boys aged 5-14, it’s no wonder the club has undergone exponential growth. Those involved with the club are excited to see it hit such a significant milestone.
Gold Coast Gymnastics Club (GCGC) Head Coach and General Manager Phil Hanson said the club started from humble beginnings when it first opened its doors in 1988.
“GCGC has gone from being a small facility at Pizzey Park to having one of the largest facilities of any gymnastics club in Australia, with three separate venues at Coomera, Miami and Tweed,” Mr Hanson said.
“It’s amazing to think that when I started with the club almost 20 years ago, there were just 250 members and yet now we’re the largest gymnastics club in Australia.”
Gymnastics Queensland Chief Executive Officer Kym Dowdell visited the club to congratulate the team on the great achievement and believes one of the main drivers behind the surge in member numbers is that gymnastics is becoming widely recognised as a valuable developmental activity for children, in particular.
“Besides the more obvious physical benefits of strength, flexibility, balance and coordination that are gained from this type of activity, there are also great cognitive benefits,” Ms Dowdell said.
“Movements that cross the midline of the body simultaneously engage both sides of the brain, providing a great cognitive stimulus.”
“Children also benefit enormously from participating in a structured class, learning to listen, follow instructions, take turns and interacting with others in a social setting.”
More than 500 of GCGC’s members are aged under five, with children from as young as 12 months registered to participate.
Mr Hanson said the club catered for all ages and levels of ability, and had even played a role in identifying and training high-performing gymnasts including Commonwealth Games dual gold medallist Hollie Dykes.
“We pride ourselves on our great programs, great facilities, great coaches and, of course, great gymnasts,” Mr Hanson said.
“At present, we have two level seven boys and their coach heading to New Zealand as part of the Australian National Levels Tour.”
Mr Hanson said many people had contributed to the success and growth of the club over the years as participants, volunteers, supporters and employees.
“We’re very grateful to all those that have been involved with the club in one way or another and are very proud of the organisation we’ve become.”
To find out more about Gold Coast Gymnastics Club, call (07) 5572 3619 or visit www.goldcoastgymnastics.com.
Further details regarding Gymnastics Queensland can be found at www.gymqld.org.au.
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