Gymnastics has become an increasingly popular sport in Dundee. Schools, Leisure and Arts Department, Communities Department all facilitate gymnastics programmes. Currently there are 10 Local Authority classes, 3 community based recreational programmes that cater for children P1 – S2 After School provision is also becoming a popular alternative with Clepington Road, Newfield’s and Barnhill Primary School, Braeview Academy and St. Johns High School facilitating gymnastics sessions for children in the local cluster area. A new programme is also to be facilitated in Menzieshill Community Centre. This programme will accommodate children living within the Local Community and will commence in April 2005.

Trampolining is fast becoming a popular sport. Currently Leisure and Communities provide 2 classes for children P4 – S2. A key working partnership with the Education Department has resulted in trampolining classes running after school in Lawside Academy, Craigie High School and Harris Academy.

All Gymnastics and Trampoline programmes now provide opportunities for children to attain (Scottish Gymnastics) National Governing Body Awards. These Awards are designed to cover all the developmental stages of the young Gymnast and Trampolinist.

For more information on Sport Centre provision or Local Club Sessions why not take a look at the Sports Development Brochure which can be picked up at your local Sports Centre, or contact the Gymnastics Development Officer on 01382 432336.

Gymnastics Festivals and Trampoline Camps run throughout holiday periods. All schools receive information on holiday programmes offered by Dundee City Council’s Leisure and Arts Department. Holiday programmes offer activities for the aspiring young Gymnast, through to performance gymnastics. However, due to the demand for the sport of Gymnastics and Trampoline, these camps are often fully booked quite quickly, and advice is to locate Summer Brochure at nearest Sport Centre and book on immediately if you do not want to be disappointed.

Local Community venues also provide Summer Camps for children living within the local community. Ardler Complex and Whitfield Activity Complex run 3 day camps within the summer holiday period. However, these camps are usually offered to children attending local clubs or classes in the local area.

Since the year 2003 two annual events have been established in Dundee. The Dundee Schools events offers all Primary School children the opportunity to compete at a level appropriate for the individual. The criteria for this competition is set by Scottish Gymnastics and judged by Scottish Judges. The event takes place in November and has been really successful with over 160 children taking part. Another Annual Event that has proved to be very popular is the Annual City-Wide Gymnastics Display. This event is ran in partnership with Sports Development and the Youth Sport Development Project. The event gives children P1 – S3 the opportunity present dance displays incorporating Gymnastics Skills. All parents/carers are encouraged and welcome to attend these events.

National Governing Body Courses are set up by Scottish Gymnastics in partnership with the Gymnastics Development Officer. Club Coach and Assistant Club Coach courses have, and are delivered locally whenever possible.

However, if you wish to access the Scottish Gymnastics annual coaching calendar, go to Scottish Gymnastics.

If you have any questions regarding Local Workshops, In-Service Training or National Governing Body Courses locally delivered, contact 01382 432336.

Clubs and recreational classes always welcome volunteers because every class can always do with an extra pair of hands. There are lots of reasons why you might want to volunteer. Perhaps your own child is involved, loves gymnastics and you want to understand the fascination, or maybe you used to be a dedicated gymnast yourself when you were younger. Some people just start because working with young people gives them something meaningful and rewarding to do. Whatever the reason, most volunteers start as unqualified helpers and become hooked very quickly. Often volunteers become fully qualified professional staff who deliver, the sport at all levels.

Dundee Development Squad acts as a feeder to DGC2K Performance Club and is run by Dundee City Council’s Sport Development Section, Gymnastics Development Officer. The purpose of the Squad is to consolidate the basic core skills needed to progress into performance pathways, providing opportunities for children showing potential within the sport of gymnastics. The Squad links closely with DGC2K Performance Club and children who excel within Development Squad are likely to move into Club structures.

Dundee Performance Squad is made up of children who are excelling within National Structures. The Squad train on Saturday mornings in the Lynch Sport Centre. Training time is used to consolidate identified skill development needed to sustain National Status. This particular Squad links very closely with performance structures, Scottish Gymnastics and DGC2K. The contact person for both Development and Performance Squads is the, Gymnastics Development Officer. Contact them on 01382 432336.

DGC2K facilities Women’s’ Artistic, Sports Acrobatics and Team Gym. This Club acts as a performance pathway for children wishing to progress within these sports. Team Gym is a new discipline adopted by the club and offers pathways for a wider range of skills and age groups. The club links closely with National and Regional Structures and is committed to the overall development of the Gymnast. The contact person is Ashley Dolan 01382 202981.

Dundee Discovery Gymnastics Club has a Women’s Artistic programme and a Team Gym Programme which is facilitated in Northern College. The Club also links closely to development structures and is heavily involved in the core skill development of the young Gymnast.The contact person for the Club is Shona Carver 01382 505278.

Kirkton Kips, Ardler Arabians and WAC Gymnastics Clubs cater for children living within the local Communities. The main focus of these clubs is for children to learn the fundamentals of the sport in a fun environment. Children attending these clubs who show potential move on into Dundee Development Squad and thereafter DGC2K Performance Club. Unfortunately due to demand waiting lists do exist within local community provision. For further information on local community provision contact the Gymnastics Development Officer on 01382 432336.

• Scottish Gymnastics
  
• Dundee Gymnastics Club 2K
  
• Club Development – Alex Knight
  
• Sports Council – Alex Knight