Tuggerah’s United Gymnastics Academy has won a prestigious award at the Gymnastics NSW Annual Awards.
The local gymnastics club has brought home the coveted title of 2023 Gymnastics for All Club of the Year.
The club was recognised in front of 600 people gathered at Doltone House in Pyrmont, Sydney on Sunday, February 11.
The awards event is held annually to celebrate the local and international successes of clubs, gymnasts, coaches and officials within NSW.
United Gymnastics Academy has had a huge year of gymnastics and travel.
From tumbling and acrobatics to freestyle and performance gymnastics, the club has been recognised for promoting the message that gymnastics is for all ages and abilities.
Last year, the club sent a team to Amsterdam to represent Australia at the World Gymnaestrada – the largest non-competitive sporting event in the world.
Athletes have also represented the club at the National Clubs Carnival on the Gold Coast, NSW Country Championships in Armidale and multiple events in Sydney.
The club had an athlete or team place on the podium at every major event it attended – a huge achievement.
Gymnastics NSW CEO Rebecca Shaw congratulated all the clubs and athletes who were nominated and won in their category.
Last year, Gymnastics NSW recorded close to 72,000 participants in more than 200 affiliated clubs.
United Gymnastics Academy Director Rebecca Tomkins said the award was an honour and a recognition of the academy’s philosophy coming to life.
“It feels like we are being rewarded for making an effort to create a gymnastics club that is for everyone,” she said.
“This recognition also goes to the kids, who now get their moment to shine.
“This club holds a special place in the community; we’re like an extended family.
“Everyone rallies behind each other no matter what they’re going through in life.
“We’ve worked hard to create a welcoming and inviting environment.
“Our club busts a few gymnastics myths.
“It’s not just about bars, beam and what you see at the Olympics.
“Gymnastics is all that, and so much more.
“We’ve got programs that are for every age and stage, with families doing gymnastics together both at training and in competition.
“It’s all about having fun, being fit and learning together.
“We’ve also tried to create opportunities for gymnasts to experience competition without the cost and huge commitment.
“Of course we still have programs for gymnasts who want to push themselves and can commit more time.
“After the award, we had people coming up to us and asking for advice.
“We were able to create strong Gymnastics for All programs by selecting children who were leaders and role models, and offering them classes within TeamGym and Performance Gymnastics.
“Then, others wanted to participate and follow these leaders, and our programs grew.
“Our club is there to support the athlete, and we want to continue to be athlete centred.
“We find out a gymnast’s goal, and then support them.”