Hundreds of delighted parents and children crowded to the Gymfest display held at the Galway Gymnastics Training Centre in Parkmore this past weekend.

The annual year end show gave the opportunity for all members of Renmore Gymnastics Club to take their performance to the limelight. For parents it was an opportunity to cherish their own child’s progress, and to witness the progressive sports development within the club.

“We love this event,” said head coach Sally Batley, “because it gives each member of the club the chance to be a star”. “Children and parents enjoy Gymfest,” says coach Samantha Marciano, who heads the club’s large recreational programme. “The show is a bit like a carnival, with non-stop action from beginning to end. It’s a great chance for every child to display their gymnastics skills in a non-competitive environment. It’s a celebration, really.”Gymfest 2012 took place on Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th of June with two sold-out shows each day. Recreational members each performed in one show, with some of the more advanced gymnasts involved in all shows. “We had some calls to open it up to the public”, said Marciano, “but unfortunately it was not possible due to limited seating capacity. We may consider a different venue for next year, although that would present some logistical issues involving moving a lot of equipment”.Asked about the club’s progress over the past few years, coach Batley replied, “We are following our Strategic Sports Development Plan which has three main elements: coach development, facilities development, and talent identification. This is to the benefit of every child who comes into the club. We are on track to bring Galway athletes to compete internationally, and had our first member of the Irish team this year.””We have a committed and professional team of international coaches, and a dedicated volunteer board of directors,” she said. “We will do it”.

Renmore Gymnastics has tripled in membership over the past three years, with well over five hundred children involved in weekly training.

“On average the members train three hours each week. Our standard recreational membership is for an hour and a half each week, and there’s much demand for this programme”, said Coach Marciano. “We’re expanding our programme to include all ages. We have recreational classes for tumble-tots, children, teenagers, adults. We have members aged 3 to 63, and we hope to soon have a programme for seniors. Gymnastics is a sport that everyone can enjoy, all year long.”

“Gymfest marks the end of the training terms,” said Batley, “but it doesn’t mark the end of training. Many of these children will take part in summer camps and extra training throughout the summer months.”

The club’s summer programme begins at the start of July, for both the competitive and recreational streams. The coaches are excited to have Olympic coach C-A Orchard taking part in the club’s advanced-level summer camp. Recreational summer camps are open to the public.

More information about summer camps at Renmore Gymnastics can be found here.