ISLAND GYMNASTS DELIGHTED TO BE BACK IN TRAINING
GYMNASTS from across Anglesey, along with hundreds of thousands of gymnasts across the UK who have been unable to train in their usual setting since March, are delighted to be back in the gym having been given the green light to return.
Ynys MÔn Gymnastics Club had to adapt their training during lockdown by running classes over Zoom for their members to keep them engaged and active from home.
Cathi Rowley, Director of Ynys MÔn said: “As soon as we had to close, we moved our squad gymnasts to Zoom classes straight away and it worked really well - the feedback was fantastic.
“All of the guidance and materials supplied by British and Welsh Gymnastics has been so helpful. Without this guidance, we would have been very lost. It was easy to understand, and we’ve covered our gym in the signage and resources we’ve been sent. Welsh Gymnastics also ran regular Zoom meetings for clubs throughout lockdown and that’s been a fantastic forum to see what other clubs have been doing and what’s working well.”
The club worked closely with the local hospital in Bangor, as one of their members’ parents was a sister on the Covid-19 ward.
“We wanted to support the cause and our parents were absolutely fantastic – any requests the hospital had; our parents were straight on it. They knitted red hearts, donated food for the hospital’s free tuck shop and handmade bereavement cards. I want to say a massive thank you from all of us at the club for their support – they were phenomenal.”
The Holyhead based club has now been open for two weeks and the gymnasts have been invited back in a phased return.
“The first time the gymnasts came back to the gym was very special. As an adult, you see things slightly differently, but the children’s faces had all of us coaches in tears!
“They were two metres apart, but that didn’t bother them. They’re coping with the changes better than we are! It’s so lovely to see them back in their happy place and so relaxed.”
British Gymnastics President Helen Phillips MBE added:
“The hard work of all the staff and coaches at Ynys MÔn Gymnastics Club is superb to see and it is great news that they are safely welcoming their gymnasts back to the sport that they love.
“Many young gymnasts have missed their friends and clubmates terribly over the past four months and will be overjoyed to be going back to their local club. All across the country, so many clubs have done amazing work to get ready to reopen in a Covid-secure environment.
“It’s time to get back to gymnastics, renew friendships and get active. Gymnastics is a community sport and our clubs are at the heart of it.”
Bev Smith, Chair of Welsh Gymnastics said: “We have a thriving gymnastics community in Wales and I’ve been really pleased to see our clubs working so hard to reopen for their members.
“The last four months have been hugely challenging and for many gymnasts and their families, weekly gymnastics sessions have been a small moment of relief and some normality.
“I’m so proud to see everyone’s hard work and dedication paying off.”