GYMNASTICS in Scone will continue towards its fourth year of operation with the local program now run by the Scone Gymnastics Club, which will be affiliated with Gymnastics NSW.
Since starting in September 2013, the initiative has been conducted by the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.
It caters for students from Aberdeen, Denman, Merriwa, Murrurundi, Muswellbrook, Scone and many of the outlying townships in both the Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook shires.
The NSW Department of Sport and Recreation took the lead role in early 2013 to establish the program after consultation with Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter Shire councils identified the need to provide for the sport in the area.
Administering the initiative much like a sporting club, Sport and Recreation supported coaching qualifications, major equipment purchases and managed program bookings each term.
Acting regional manager northern Peter Britt said the success of the program ensured it could transition to a sustainable, locally-run, club.
This is largely due to the enthusiastic coaches Nicky Western and Belinda Woodley.
“Sport and Recreation’s Hunter office staff established processes so the club could acquire the equipment it needed and run a financially sustainable model,” Mr Britt said.
“This now allows the operation to transition to an affiliate of Gymnastics NSW.
“While the program focus is very much on the participation aspect it has been a credit to the program coaches that has seen several participants take part in competitions.
“Shifting to a Gymnastics NSW affiliated club allows any participant to enter competitions.”
The Scone Gymnastics Club will continue to operate at the Scone Youth Centre (located on Susan Street) on a Monday afternoon/evening with three time slots focused on primary school-aged participants.
