GYMNASTICS

GYMNASTS from across the Valleys, and 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.

Valleys Gymnastics Academy, who operate sites across Gwent, had to adapt their training during lockdown by running classes over Zoom for their members to keep them engaged and active from home.

Prior to lockdown, the club worked with nearly 3000 children every week across Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Merthyr Tydfil and last week they reopened the doors to their Crumlin facility.

Melissa Anderson, Managing Director, said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic to be back in the gym.

“The kids were buzzing to be back and loved returning to the gym environment with their friends – it’s given them some normality which is lovely to see.

“We’re quite proactive as a club so when lockdown started, we furloughed some of our staff and moved all of our gymnastics online, running lots of different Zoom classes and other virtual activity.

“The feedback from the parents has been absolutely phenomenal and the whole experience has really made me see how important gymnastics is for the mental health and social connections of our members and their families.

“We reopened our main facility in Crumlin last week and have had a steady start to allow our coaches to get used to the new processes.

“We’ve been following the guidance supplied to us by British and Welsh Gymnastics through their Step Forward Plan and many other resources, which have been brilliant and so helpful.

“I think we’ve done absolutely everything we could have done to open in a safe way for our gymnasts.”

British Gymnastics President Helen Phillips MBE added: “The hard work of all the staff and coaches at Valleys Gymnastics Academy 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.”