2009 News
- News Archive
SIMMSplitz Attains Gym Mark Status
Sport St Mary’s is proud to announce that its gymnastics club SIMMSplitz has achieved Gym Mark status with the British Gymnastics Association (BGA). The club was founded just three years ago and gaining Gym Mark status indicates that the club has been developing safely, effectively and that it is child friendly. These three areas of focus are also recognised by Sport England.
Since its inception the club has grown to deliver high quality weekly sessions to over 200 young people aged 5–11. The sessions provide opportunities for children from the local community to participate and develop a range of skills in a structured, safe and fun environment.
The coaches who run the sessions are students at St Mary's University College who are completing PE or sport related degrees. They therefore have an understanding of teaching, coaching and sporting performance that enhances their specific knowledge of gymnastics.
SIMMSplitz is suitable for young gymnasts of all abilities and the sessions are delivered in a fully equipped gymnasium at the Waldegrave Road campus in Twickenham. BGA badge awards are used to develop the gymnasts and provide a record of their progress. There are also special theme weeks and holiday camps held during the school breaks.
Director of Sport, Andrew Reid-Smith, said: “SIMMSplitz is an important part of our sports programme, a programme that delivers a wide range of opportunities for local residents to participate in sport. Our Sports Development Officer Matt Shurlock has coordinated gaining this nationally recognised accreditation and it will undoubtedly help to build a strong future for the club.”
Matt Shurlock added: "Receiving Gym Mark means a great deal to our club. It enables SIMMSplitz to develop its own identity and profile as an open access gymnastics club in the Borough of Richmond. It also recognises all the hard work from our team of coaches. They do a great job of getting the children involved and encouraging each one of them to progress at a suitable pace. Special mention must go to the young gymnasts for all their efforts and to the parents for their continued support.
Jessica Capelli, London’s Regional Development Officer was on hand to present the award on behalf of British Gymnastics to Senior Coach Cherie. "Clubmark accreditation is recognised across all sports as the indication of a quality club and SIMMSplitz can be rightly proud of their achievement in receiving the award," said Jessica. ‘We are keen to support the work of Sport St Mary’s and the SIMSport programme as the development of our clubs, especially those that cater for juniors, can only be good for the sport of gymnastics."
SIMMSplitz is part of the larger SIMMSport programme run by Sport St Mary’s. The other sports delivered include athletics and rugby union, which is delivered in partnership with Harlequin Amateurs. The programme has proved a great success with local children with membership across all three sports growing rapidly over the last twelve months. With less than a thousand days to go the 2012 Olympics, SIMMSport is working hard to utlilise interest in the games to develop participation and performance, and provide local young people with a good foundation for lifelong involvement in sport.
