How to Choose between Gymnastics Clubs?

Choosing between gymnastics clubs is not as difficult as it may seem. Visit each prospective club and ask yourself the following questions…

Location – Is it close to school or home, and is it located within a safe area?

Class/Team Training Times – Are class times convenient?

The Coaches & Teaching Staff – Are the coaches and staff experienced, well-qualified and know what they are doing?  Are they positive, attentive and enthusiastic?

Apparatus – Is the gym clean and the apparatus new and/or well-maintained?  Are there plenty of good quality mats and do they have pits?  Are there trampolines and tumble tracks?

Age Make-up of Class or Team – Does the club run classes with kids of the same, or different, ages?  How large are class sizes?

The Cost – What is the cost per hour of gym time?  Are there any extra costs such as those for competitions, competitive gear, leotards, etc?

Parents – Are parents welcomed, do they have the opportunity to observe and what facilities are provided? Are there opportunities for parents to become involved with the club?

Contact us today to arrange a visit to Park Wrekin

Can my child ‘try’ the club before joining?

Yes.  We offer an initial one hour ‘taster’ session, at a cost of £5.00, so that a prospective member can try out the club, with no commitment, prior to joining.

Contact us to arrange a training session for your child

Does my child need to choose a gymnastics specialism?

Not initially, as Artistic Gymnastics is the basis of all gymnastics.  As gymnasts progress and become more experienced, however, they may develop particular strengths or preferences and choose to branch into other gymnastics disciplines such as Team Gym, Tumbling or Trampolining.

What are your payments and refunds policies?

Gymnasts are invoiced for each quarterly term, in advance. Terms run from January to March, April to June, July to September and October to December.

If a gymnast decides to leave mid-term, we regret that we cannot affect a refund for any classes not attended.  It is for this reason that we offer an initial taster session, to allow children to try out the club before making a commitment.

Why do I need to pay a subscription to British Gymnastics?

Membership of British Gymnastics is mandatory, but conveys a host of benefits, such as:

• Being part of a strong and recognised organisation that ensures a safe, child-friendly and fun environment to enjoy gymnastics.
• Access to coaches qualified to national standards, ensuring the training received is of the highest standard.
• Opportunities for entry into competitions at all levels, for all abilities and disciplines.
• GymFusion – access to any of the events within the National Festivals Programme and Gymnastics for all.
• Comprehensive insurance packages.
• Access to the Customer Services department – which provides advice and guidance on every aspect of membership.
• BGTV –  bringing the best gymnastics videos, interviews and events from the world of British Gymnastics
• My Leadership Academy programme – enabling young people to help shape the future workforce of the Gymnastics community.

See a Full List of Membership Benefits

When you become a member of Park Wrekin, we will arrange your BG membership which will be applied to your first invoice. BG Membership is charged annually.

If insurance is required, is gymnastics dangerous?

As with all sports and physical activities, there is an element of risk. It is for this reason that insurance is compulsory and is provided as part of British Gymnastics Membership.

Please refer to the BG Insurance webpage

At Park Wrekin, gymnastics is taught under close supervision, slowly building up their skills and elements with support and guidance from our highly qualified and experienced coaches. We continually invest in the training of our coaches to ensure that they all have the requisite qualifications to teach specific elements and skills.

Is my child safe at your gym?

Yes. Park Wrekin is located in a very safe neighbourhood. We also have a comprehensive child protection policy, with coaches taking personal responsibility for all gymnasts until they are collected by their parents.

What are the rules and etiquette of gym membership?

Unlike some gyms, Park Wrekin does not have a long list of rules and regulations.  We believe that petty restrictions are unnecessary if gymnasts are involved, motivated and enthusiastic.  We simply ask that you show courtesy and respect towards the coaches and each other; that we are informed if you cannot attend a session; that you wear the correct attire; and (for your safety) that long hair is tied up and jewellery is taken off.

Does it have to be competitive?

Gymnastics is more than just another sport. It is an activity that offers something different to each participant, giving children a positive outlet for their energy. It also provides everyone with the opportunity to develop and master new skills which, in turn, provides the motivation to strive for new heights – building both self-esteem and confidence.

Our members enjoy coming to classes, learning new skills, exercising and growing as gymnasts. Some may choose to progress, under expert tuition, to compete in club competitions, regionally, nationally and internationally. However, entering competitive gymnastics is entirely optional and, currently, only around 20% of Park Wrekin members elect to do so.

Why do you also train at Lilleshall?

Lilleshall is one of the UK’s National Sports Centres, which are the training grounds and centres of excellence for the country’s leading sportsmen and women. As such, it boasts some of the best gymnastic facilities in the world. Because of our proximity, the members of Park Wrekin have a unique opportunity, and privilege, to gain experience of training at this world-class centre.

What kit is needed?

New members can start with a normal tracksuit and sports clothes.  As gymnasts progress, and perhaps compete, additional kit may be needed, such as leotards, chalk or hand guards, for example. The club has its own shop through which a range of Park Wrekin, and other, branded kit can be bought at competitive prices.

Can parents attend training sessions?

Yes. Parents are very welcome and encouraged to visit the club. For safety reasons, we do not allow parents into the gym itself but there is a viewing gallery where parents can view the classes in progress. There are also other facilities such as a coffee shop, soft seating area, a selection of toys and books for younger siblings, free Wi-Fi and some desk space; as well as a range of fitness classes in some of our other rooms.

How can I help and support the club?

We really love it when parents want to engage further. Park Wrekin is a charity and very much relies on the skills and goodwill of our volunteers, who are vital to the ongoing running of the club. There are many roles, both large and small, in which you can assist.

As a charity, we rely on sponsorship and donations.  For this reason, we run various events throughout the year, which are exciting and help raise much needed funds.

For more information regarding sponsorship and donations – and how you can help – click here

Please contact our coaches Christine Still, Brett Ince and Jemma Parry, or our Head of Fundraising, Karen Kinsella, for further details.

What child protection, and other, policies does the club follow?

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background check is completed on all coaches and staff. The DBS prevents unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. Please, also, refer to our Child Protection Policy by clicking 20170522-Safeguarding__Protecting_policy