Porirua gym club blooming
If the strength of any club is measured by the power of its volunteers, Porirua Gymsports is definitely in good heart.
The 150- member gymnastics club includes 20 volunteers who give their time to run a range of classes from pre- school age through to competition grades.
Porirua Gymsports chairwoman Tracey Diack said the club had been lucky over the years to have such committed people.
‘‘Most of the coaches have come through the club,’’ she said.
The competition season is over, and the club is reflecting on some good successes.
Two gymnasts – Charlie Holmes, 10, and Shannen McKenzie, 14 – were selected for the Wellington squad and competed at the national gymsports championships in Hawke’s Bay.
Ms Diack said both trained 12 hours a week in preparation.
Although they did not place in the individual events – Charlie’s level 5 boys team finished third – they benefited from their experience.
‘‘Being exposed to nationals is really good because you get to see the top talent,’’ she said.
Ms Diack, who had been involved with the club for about 24 years, said she was mindful that gymnastics was seen as an expensive sport.
‘‘We try to keep it as affordable as we can,’’ Ms Diack said.
The club, which is based at Te Rauparaha Arena, often fund- raises for new equipment to provide their gymnasts with a training environment of international standard.
Ms Diack said the club ran trampolining classes as well as programmes for school groups.
She said although not all members went on to become gymnasts, the skills and confidence the sport gave them contributed to other successes.
The club’s prizegiving is on December 16, followed by a short summer break before training resumes.