A gymnastics club which was awarded a £25,000 grant has officially opened its new premises in Caerphilly.
Bedwas Gymnastics Club has moved to Trecenydd Business Park after receiving funding from Sport Wales to leave their former home of 40 years at Bedwas High School.
The new venue offers a dedicated space for the club and its growing membership to develop, and offer talented gymnasts the platform to further their progress.
Sally Corden, Director of Bedwas Gymnastics Club, said: “The club is 40 years old this year.
“It was founded on the basis of providing gymnastics to the local community and surrounding area.
“We are incredibly proud to be continuing this legacy and owe a big thank you to all of our hard working and dedicated volunteers who are helping us to build a greater community.”
Since opening the doors to the new base on Monday May 9, the club has welcomed more than 300 children participating in gymnastics classes – an increase of over 100 in comparison to their previous attendances.
There are also 80 children currently on a waiting list for membership.
It’s been a long journey for the passionate team of board members, coaches and volunteers who began their search for a new venue all the way back in 2013.
When a nearby unit became vacant in autumn of 2015, the club jumped at the chance to explore the possibility of relocating.
Sport Wales awarded the club £25,000 in December last year, which has been used to purchase new equipment including a coil-sprung floor, fast-track and asymmetric bars.
It also allowed the team of coaches and sport leaders the opportunity to attain new, contemporary qualifications.
Long-time supporters of Bedwas Gymnastics Club were given the chance to tour the club’s new facilities upon its launch, and got a glimpse at the talent of the future as they watched young gymnasts put through their paces.
Speaking at the launch, Helen Phillips, Chair of Welsh Gymnastics, said: “Sport is a language that everyone is able to understand and Bedwas Gymnastics will be the hub of the community, playing its part to ensure we promote an active Wales.
“The passionate team behind the club are responsible for changing lives; bringing together children to play, learn, engage and develop personal and physical skills.
Bedwas is enriched with history within Welsh Gymnastics and I am certain it will for another 40 years.”
A brilliant club run by fantastic coaches and dedicated volunteers.