Moree’s little gymnastic stars will be springing to the top in no time, with a mini trampoline and new mats added to the gymnastics facility at PCYC.
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“We have a lot of new equipment,” PCYC gymnastics coordinator Mandy Mitchell said.
The new additions to the facility follow a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Moree-on-Gwydir. Four thousand dollars was handed over to the local youth organisation, to enhance their equipment.
And the stockpile of equipment isn’t the only thing growing, with PCYC introducing more gymnastics classes to accommodate growing demand.
A kinder gymnastics class has been introduced to Tuesday, on-top of the classes traditionally held on Thursday.
“Anyone between the ages of two to five years is able to go to the morning class, but the numbers are growing that PCYC is thinking about starting a class on Thursday morning as well,” Mandy said.
The sport is so popular with children, that PCYC has brought in a waiting list.
“Unfortunately, we just don’t have the resources or number of volunteers to keep up with the growing list. If someone drops out of gymnastics, we can replace that person with someone on the waiting list. But, some children have had to wait months for a spot,” Mandy said.
The overwhelming deluge of interest from the town has left Mandy smiling.
“It’s amazing to think how a town of this size can be so interested in gymnastics,” she said.
She added, the sport was beneficial to children on many levels.
“The program improves fundamental skills, helping children refine their flexibility, coordination and motor skills. These improvements can all be taken over to other sports.”
And the inventory of equipment isn’t the only thing growing, with a spike seen in the number of men trying out the sport.
“The boys class is at maximum capacity.”
A few male coaches have also joined the group of volunteers, something that has not happened at the PCYC.
“We have introduced Free G, which stands for Freestyle Gymnastics. Children can perform flips, jumps and even try out parkour.”
While Mandy is happy with the new mats and trampoline, she said other equipment were beginning to show their age.
“The bars are at least 80 years old. They’re not adjustable, which limits the types of tricks that children can perform on them.”
The equipment might meet the needs of children who pursue the sport for recreation, but the wear and tear hinders the more serious gymnasts.
“A few girls here have a keen interest in competing, and their parents have to drive them all the way to Inverell to make use of their facilities,” Mandy said.
