An unrivalled reputation for quality coaching and the best facilities

Our Goal is…

To allow every person to maximise their potential as a gymnast, coach or volunteer, allowing those with the ability to perform on the international stage

Our Philosophy is…

To inspire and motivate members to realise their gymnastics goals, whether they be recreational, competitive or coaching To manage the club so that it welcomes, embraces and meets the needs of gymnasts of all ages and abilities – from pre-school toddler to Olympic competitor To provide a safe and secure environment in which each and every member has the opportunity to perform to the best of their ability To listen to our members, whether they be gymnasts or their parents, so that the club continues to provide superior coaching and service To manage the club prudently such that it remains financially secure To always remember that gymnastics is challenging - but must also be involving and fun!

“Park Wrekin is a fantastic gym club with fantastic facilities. The coaches are friendly and get the very best out of the gymnasts. It’s my daughter’s second home!”

Why Choose Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club?

Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club is an outstanding organisation, known for exceptional coaching, top-tier training, and a welcoming atmosphere. Our state-of-the-art facilities cater to gymnasts of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to aspiring world champions.

As the most successful gymnastics club in the West Midlands, many of our gymnasts have competed in the Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships. Founded in the 1960s, we continue to lead the way in developing gymnastics talent.

We are a registered charity, governed by a Board of Trustees comprising of Christine Still, Brett Ince, Jemma Parry, Kay Woolrich (Chair), , Debbie Nicholls, Hazel Arrowsmith, Samantha Paddock and Brett Racher (Volunteer Treasurer).

Our Reputation

We are renowned for our high standards in coaching and athlete development. Our experienced coaches, excellent facilities, and diverse class offerings provide gymnasts with the opportunity to reach their full potential in a fun and supportive environment.

Our Coaching Team

At Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club, we have an exceptional team of fully qualified British Gymnastics coaches with extensive experience across all levels of the sport. Our coaches bring hundreds of years of combined expertise, ranging from early development for pre-school children to advanced training for aspiring world champions.

Our coaching team is dedicated to providing high-quality training in a supportive environment, helping every gymnast reach their full potential. Our Head Coach, Christine Still has contributed to the BBC gymnastics coverage at six Olympic Games, further demonstrating the level of experience and knowledge at our club.

Our Range of Classes

At Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club, we offer classes for all ages and abilities. Our Pre-School and Recreational gymnasts work towards the appropriate Park Wrekin Award Scheme, encouraging skill development in a fun, structured way. For those with higher ability and competition goals, we offer Competition and Elite classes to help them reach their full potential. Each class is designed to support individual progress and growth at every level.

CHECK OUT OUR TIMETABLE HERE

Competition

We recognise that not every gymnast enjoys the pressure of competition. For this reason, we are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to reach their potential in whatever way they wish. Whilst we currently have more than 70 competitive gymnasts, at all levels, we have many hundreds more taking part for their own enjoyment.

Our Facilities

Our custom-designed, purpose-built, 6,500 sq ft gym is packed with world-class Gymnova equipment, including Olympic-standard floors, beams, bars, vaults, and foam pits.

We continuously invest in new equipment to provide our gymnasts with the best tools for success. Our gym offers a safe, professional environment for gymnasts of all levels.

We also train regularly at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre, a world-class venue for high-level gymnastics training.

For Families and Visitors

We offer a comfortable viewing area for parents to watch training sessions. For those who prefer to relax, Dink’s Café offers refreshments, a cozy seating area, and television viewing for café customers.

We also provide private rooms for hire, ideal for meetings or special events.

Our Location

We are conveniently located at Park Gymnastic Centre, formally known as the Old Charlton School Sports Hall on the outskirts of Telford, Shropshire. Just off the M54, we enjoy easy access from Shrewsbury and the West Midlands towns of Wolverhampton, Cannock and Stafford. We are also in close proximity to the Lilleshall National Sports Centre, the finest gymnastic training venue in Europe, which we use several times per week.

“The coaches offer support to the children and are very patient and calm. My little boy was enthusiastic, but needed lots of guidance to channel this appropriately which was given in a positive way. He now wants to practise all the time and loves coming.”

Meet the Coaches

The club boasts an experienced and dedicated coaching staff with British Gymnastics Qualifications. All Coaches and gymnasts are insured through the British Gymnastics club scheme.

Christine Still

Head Coach

International Performance Coach

Master Coach – British Gymnastics

Chris has been the Head Coach of Park Wrekin Gymnastic Club since 1990, coaching gymnasts to Olympic, Commonwealth World and European success. She is also the coach responsible for the Elite Programme.

She has been the BBC Commentator for Gymnastics, covering the last six Olympic Games.

“I have been a gymnastic coach all my life. The challenge and rewards have never dimmed for me. The pleasure in helping a child or young adult succeed in achieving something they thought was beyond them is quite special. Of course the accolades come when you work with international performers, but the joy and sense of achievement is the same whatever the level of gymnast you are working with.

Gymnastics for performer and coach is the ultimate sport, there is always something new to learn or perfect. The challenge is always present. And if you can brush off the disappointments that inevitably come along the way and continue focused and determined, you will be a success in any walk of life you choose in the future”

Brett Ince

Head of Elite & Performance

Level 5 – High Performance Coach

Greatest achievements – Coach on the floor at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 European Championships, where my gymnasts brought home medals at both events.

“I was first introduced to gymnastics at 5 years of age when I was spotted at a local leisure centre after it was apparent that football wasn’t the sport for me. I was upside down swinging from the goal posts like a monkey instead of saving the goals.

I quickly fell in love with gymnastics, training hard for 13 years helped me represent Great Britain in Men’s Artistic. After retiring as an athlete, I took my coaching qualifications in Women’s Artistic. I moved to Park Wrekin in 2008 to be mentored by Christine Still. Her passion and knowledge, alongside my dedication and determination, have helped me coach gymnasts to represent Great Britain and put me on the pathway towards achieving my dream of being a coach to Olympians.

What I love most about gymnastics is that it rewards hard work. There aren’t any shortcuts to success – only the most determined and driven get to the top of their game”

Jemma Parry

Head of Preschool & Development Elite Performance Coach

Level 5 – High Performance Coach

Jemma is also responsible for the Advanced, Recreation and Pre School Programmes.

She is also the coach of our youngest British Squad members

“I started coaching when I was 16, having enjoyed competing as a Park Wrekin gymnast. I immediately loved the variety and challenge of coaching at all Levels. Some of the best moments come unexpectedly in the gym when a new skill is mastered for the first time by a child. I am involved with Pre-school and all sections of the club, coaching International performers as well. My aim is to see Park Wrekin as one of the best clubs in GB at all levels”

Derek van der Ploeg

Derek Van Der Ploeg

Elite Performance Coach

Shropshire County and West Midlands Regional Coach

Level 5 – High performance Coach

“I love coaching because of the smile you get when a gymnast achieves a new move or their best result. My best coaching experience – the last smile.

In my free time, I like to coach. This is my free time! The day job is making teeth!!”

Ellie Fletcher

Head of Junior Elite

Level 5, High Performance
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Coach

‘I love coaching because knowing that you have helped a child learn a new move, get over a fear or win a medal is the best feeling.

My best coaching experience was helping Helena win the British Aspire all around title at the British Championships.

In my spare time I like to go exploring the countryside with my sausage dog Mabel.’

Gemma Lafferty

Elite Gymnastics Coach

Women’s Artistic Level 5 Qualified Coach

Phoebe Nicholls

Women’s Artistic Level 3 Coach

Phoebe is a former Elite Gymnast from Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club, who has now taken on a full time role with Park Wrekin Gymnastics! Like many of our Gymnasts, Phoebe continues her journey by taking on coaching roles in Preschool, Development, Beginners, Recreation as well as Elite.

Phoebe also assists with the running of our Beginners, Recreational and Advanced Programmes.

Vladimir Shchegolev

Men’s International Performance Coach

Former Men’s Head National Gymnastics Coach of Great Britain

Gymnastics Coach with 47 years of worldwide experience working in MAG. Honoured Coach from Russia, Vladimir represented GB at the 2000 European Championships in Bremen, 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and represented The Northern Ireland Team at the World Championships in Stuttgart 2007.

Vladimir will be working within the Boys section of the club to further develop their pathway to competitive gymnastics.

Josie Vaughan

Recreation, Advanced, Floor & Vault Coach

General Gymnastics Level 2 Qualified Club Coach

Josie is also the Chairman of the Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club

Heather Pritchards

Women’s Artistic Level 3 Coach

Heather was one of the founder members of the club in the 1970’s.

“I love coaching because it was the next progression from being a gymnast. I enjoy the achievement when a gymnast does something for the first time unaided. It is also nice to see gymnasts you have coached bring their children to my class. It shows they must have enjoyed their experience in the gym and want it for their children.

My best coaching experience is getting a gymnast to pull up round on bars when they are frightened of going upside down.

When not in the gym I look after my grandchildren and am a part time admin clerk”

Lorna Poutney

Women’s Artistic Level 4 Coach

Lorna was one of the club’s most successful gymnasts, representing Great Britain at the World and European Championships at the end of the 80’s and beginning of the 90’s. Lorna represented England at the Commonwealth Games 1990 in Auckland.

“Coaching is in my blood. I love the sport of gymnastics.

My best coaching experience is getting gymnasts through compulsory 2 and qualifying them for the British Championship.

Out of the gym I work full time as a manager and like walking my dogs, socialising and spending time at the caravan”

Nick Pemberton

Men’s Artistic Level 3 Coach

Harriet Price

Women’s Artistic Level 1 Coach

Harriet is a former Elite Gymnast from Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club, who competed at high level placing 7th in Great Britain at the Senior Challenge Cup in 2018. Harriet continues her journey with Gymnastics by taking on coaching roles in Preschool, Development, Beginners, Recreation and Advanced.

Luke Highway

Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Coach

“I started coaching from the age of 14, assisting with all different levels of gymnastics,
Having enjoyed gymnastics myself, I then went on to achieve my levels in coaching and then coaching my own groups.

The best thing that I love about coaching gymnastics is when the gymnasts overcome a skill which they did not feel confident with and how excited they get when they do.

My biggest accomplishment in coaching happens to be when one of my gymnasts gained a spot on the British Gymnastics foundation development squad through placing a top 10 position in compulsory and voluntary levels.

In my spare time outside of the gym, I Like to catch up with my friends.”

Viktorija Kozuzhova

Lisa Nixon

Louis Durward

Level 3 – Womens Artistic Coach

“Hi,
My name is Louis “Loui”
I have been coaching women’s artistic gymnastics for 10 years now.
Always striving to learn and grow, working consistently in one gym while volunteering in others to gain experience in all aspects of the sport while making friends and memory’s in the process.

Gymnastics has shown me a great many things over the years. That we can all improve with the right mentality and support.
To practice patience when the work is difficult.
That in the face of adversity we can bring out the best of ourselves.
How to be humble.
How to leave the ego at the door.
To work as a team.
That friendships can be forged, even in the heat of competition.
Gymnast or coach, we are all students in a sport you can never truly master, where the goal posts shift with the sands.”

Our Gymnastics Heritage

1960’s
Park Gymnastic Club starts life in Park Junior School, Wellington. Formed by Bob Garner, the PE Advisor for the area, and Chris Davies who was a teacher at the school, the club was led by Ralph Brooks, the Headmaster.

Susan Lee becomes the first club gymnast to represent her country.
1980’s
Lisa Young represents Great Britain at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and at many World and European Championships.

In 1984, Colin Still is appointed National Coach for Gymnastics and, with his wife Christine, leaves the full-time club they run in London, which are British Team Champions, and move to Shropshire.
1980’s
In 1984, Olympian Amanda Harrison (now Reddin) joins the club and competes for Park Wrekin for the remainder of her career.

Stephanie Micklam and Nancy Clarke, junior Great Britain gymnasts, move from London to continue their training and became the first gymnasts to board at Wrekin College, marking the start of the highly successful partnership between the school and the club.
Both become successful international gymnasts, with Stephanie selected for the World Championship in 1987.
1990’s
In 1990, Wrekin College builds its sports hall. The club moves in and changes its name to Park Wrekin.
Christine Still becomes Head Coach.

Louise Redding and Lorna Mainwairing represent England at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

Laura Timmins becomes the youngest British Senior Champion in 1991.
1990’s
Louise, Lorna and Laura compete at the World and European Championships.

Rebecca Lewis represents England.

In 1992, Colin Still joins Christine on the coaching staff.

In 1999, Park Wrekin Gymnastic Club becomes the women’s British Team Champions.
2000’s
James Evans represents Great Britain at the Junior European Championship in 2000.

Rebecca Owen is selected for England at the Commonwealth Games in 2002, winning team silver and floor silver medals.

Amy Bagshaw and Sarah Swift become Great Britain internationals.

Colin Still returns as National Coach to British Gymnastics – a post he holds to this day.
2000’s
Nia Stewart is selected as a Welsh International.
Laura Murphy represents Bermuda at the World Championship.

Martin Reddin joins the coaching team in 1993, bringing Great Britain Internationals Andrew and Kevin Atherton.

Jennifer Hannah represents Scotland at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Coaches Jemma Parry and Brett Ince join Christine Still in 2008.
2010’s
Emily Goring becomes English Senior Champion and represents England on several occasions.

Nicole Watson represents Great Britain Juniors at the 2011 Australian Youth Olympics.

Sarah Strawbridge represents Ireland in many International events, including the European Youth Olympics in 2011.
2010’s
Georgina Hockenhull represents Great Britain at the 2012 Junior European Championship and, in 2014, is selected for Wales at the Commonwealth Games, winning the bronze medal on Beam and becoming Wales’ top scorer in their historic team bronze. Georgie has continued to represent Great Britain and Wales on many occasions including at the first-ever European Games in 2015.

Rhyannon Jones and Caitlin Tsang represent Great Britain during 2013 and 2014, with Rhyannon being part of the Junior Great Britain team that wins a first-ever European Team Medal – Silver at the 2014 Junior European Championship.
2010s
Alice Kinsella becomes one of the dominant junior gymnasts for Great Britain, culminating in three silver medals at the Junior European Championship 2016. She helps the team to silver and also wins individual silver medals on Beam and Floor, creating history for Park Wrekin Gymnastic Club.

Ellesse Oates represents Great Britain Juniors during 2016, whilst Isla Warr represents Scotland and Laura Beasley is selected for England Juniors.