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The City of Whyalla has sprung into action to help out one of the city’s sporting clubs.
The Whyalla Academy of Gym Sports was in danger of closing with rising costs eating into its endeavour to train coaches and provide classes for aspiring gymnasts and children who just want some healthy exercise.
One of these costs was rent the club was paying for its facilities at the Whyalla Leisure Centre for its 30 to 50 gymnasts.
After discussions with the academy, council has formulated a financial plan that will enable the club to not only continue but to start expanding its program of training for young gymnastics and those looking to learn the sport.
“It was looking like we didn’t have a future, we were seriously looking at closing the doors,” academy vice president Penny Evans said.
“Our head coaches Mandy Gordon (who is also the club president) and David Ramke were running themselves into the ground, volunteering five days a week to provide training.
“This financial assistance from the council will allow us to train up more coaches which will lead to providing more sessions.”
The cost of training a coach up to intermediate level is more than $400 plus two trips to Adelaide for Sunday Face to Face sessions while the cost of travelling for competitions was another burden that will be relieved by the new arrangement with council. The club has been unable to compete outside of Whyalla this year due to the financial squeeze.
Council chief executive officer Chris Cowley has been working with the academy and the YMCA (which runs the leisure centre) for some time and was pleased to be able to finalise the new financial arrangement this week. The academy’s plight was also raised by Councillor Tom Antonio on Monday’s council meeting where he stressed the importance of the club for the region.
“We’ve been playing a pro-active role in finding a solution for the gymnastic academy,” Mr Cowley said.
“We want to ensure the future of clubs like this and we understand how important sporting clubs are to our community.
“We’re rapt we were able to find a solution and now our kids can continue to pursue gymnastics activities in the city with two clubs in Whyalla.”
The academy is one of two gymnastics clubs that operates in Whyalla. The other is the Eyre Gymnastics Club which conducts classes and training at the South Whyalla Football Club.
The Eyre Gymnastics Club is also a not for profit organisation run by volunteers. Its membership stands at 130 competition gymnasts and it also has non competing gymnasts and families that regularly attend sessions. Its gymnasts regularly attend competitions in Port Lincoln, Adelaide and Port Pirie.
Gymnastics is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from babies to children and adults.
“It promotes wellbeing, is good for developing balance and motor skills and gives children enormous confidence,” Mrs Evans said.
“You can start as just a baby and there is a level for everyone, not everyone has to compete but you can certainly do the training and compete if you like.”
HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN GYMNASTICS
Whyalla Academy of Gym Sports
Whyalla Leisure Centre, Racecourse Road. Phone 0457 359 233
Session times:
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday – Kindergym: two sessions, 10-11am and 11am-noon.
Monday – Gymfun; two sessions, 5-6pm and 6-7pm.
Tuesday and Wednesday - Levels (competition): One session 5-8pm
Kindergym Parties – Fully supervised sessions for children’s parties. Bookings essential.
Eyre Gymnastics Club
South Whyalla Football Club. Phone 0488 515 776
Session times:
Monday – Level 3 girls 4-6pm; Level 4-7 girls, Level 3-5 boys 5.30-7.30pm
Tuesday – Level 1 boys 4-5pm; Level 2 boys 5-6.30pm
Wednesday – Level 4-7 boys and girls 4-6pm
Thursday – Level 1 girls 4-5pm; Level 2 girls 5-6.30pm
Friday – Level 3 girls 4-6pm; Adults 7.30-8.30pm
Saturday – Level 3-5 boys 9-10.30am; Level 4-7 girls 10.30am-2.30pm.