Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club, a rapidly expanding competitive and recreational club for both boys and girls, is calling for the support of the local community to help win funding as part of the Aviva Community Fund 2018.
Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club is relying on votes to increase their chances of winning funding of up to £25,000 which will be used to pay for the renovation works to extend their premises. Only projects with the most votes will become finalists, so additional support is vital.
Formed in 1977, Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club currently has around 300 members from across Dumfries and Galloway ranging in age from 6-weeks old to 16 years old.
The Club moved into their own premises last year, providing the only dedicated gymnastics facility in the region and due to the rapid growth of the Club, need to expand their training area and welfare facilities for gymnasts, coaches and parents. They have the opportunity to lease the adjoining building and to extend into this area.
Research by the Information Services Division of NHS National Services Scotland, published in December 2016, shows that Dumfries and Galloway had the highest percentage of primary 1 children at risk of overweight and obesity combined in Scotland.
Gymnastics is a sport which enhances the health and wellbeing of all children and young people. It provides an environment which promotes fitness, health, discipline, focus, team working and general community engagement through display work and funding projects.
Offering gymnastics to young children teaches them important life skills like balance and co-ordination and lays the foundations of a healthy, active lifestyle.
Hayley Gourlay, a parent of two gymnasts from Dumfries Y Gymnastics says: “We are currently sitting in eighth place out of over 591 projects in our category, but we must remain in the top sixteen to reach the final. We need to keep the momentum going and need the support of the local community to help us”.
Steven McKinnel, Head Coach from the Club says “Since moving into our purpose-built facility a year ago we have grown fivefold, and it leaves us very excited to see what 2019 will bring. If this Club is successful in securing £25,000 through the Aviva Community Fund, it would not only help towards the expansion of our premises, but also allow for further coach development to expand our gymnastics programme to include disability and team gym classes and to grow our boys section. It will also provide opportunities for our older gymnasts to move into coaching through an in-house development programme.”
Since their move to their new premises just over a year ago the Club:
- Has seen significant improvement in results from national competitions with gymnasts finishing further up the rankings than ever before.
- Has been certified as an Accredited Sports Club by Dumfries and Galloway Council.
- Has been identified as an example of best practice by Scottish Gymnastics in our delivery of Principle 6 of the national Effective Club Framework programme.
- Won third prize in the Dumfries ‘Guid Nychburris’ parade on 17th June 2018.
- Won the Dumfries and Galloway Community Spirit VOSCAR Award and Spar People’s Podium campaign through Coach Mike Briggs.
- Reached the final of the Scottish Gymnastics Awards for Club of the Year.
- Carried out several fundraising activities including bucket collections at the local football ground, bag packing at the supermarkets, gymnastics competitions and our first Summer Fete.
- Came second in the final of the West Sound Cash for Kids Big Charity Sports Challenge.
- Been shortlisted for the “Club of the Year 2018” in the Nithsdale Sports Awards.
To get behind Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club and help make a difference in your local community, visit www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/voting/project/view/4-685 and submit your vote before midday on 20 November 2018.
For more information on Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club visit https://www.facebook.com/dumfriesYgymnastics/
