Club Focus: YMCA Caloundra

YMCA has a proud history in Gymnastics since 1951 and has recently become the largest Gymnastics provider in Queensland with over 6500 registered gymnasts.

In January 2014, the YMCA obtained a 20-year community lease for the Arthur Street community hall in Caloundra, which was an underutilized asset of the council. In the first year of operation, the YMCA revitalized the site by introducing gymnastics programs, leading to a significant increase in membership to 480 individuals. Recognizing the potential, the YMCA went on to construct a new 955 square meter gymnastics stadium adjacent to the existing hall in 2016.

2. How many kids do you train and what skills?

Today, our Gymnastics program boasts a membership base of over 900 participants who engage in activities on a weekly basis.  

Our gymnastics programs are available from crawlers to adults.  Our PrYme classes, targeting the over 60’s, are held twice a week and attract over 30 participants per class. The Y also transformed a section of the community hall into a Ninja training zone, introducing a new and exciting program for the Caloundra Community incorporating Parkour, Obstacle Courses and Ninja.

3. What’s your club’s vision statement? 

Creating healthy, connected and thriving communities.

4. What are some of the objectives of your program? 

To empower children, young people and communities Australia Wide to build a just, sustainable, equitable and inclusive world, where every person can thrive in body, mind and spirit.

Focusing on our membership experience we provide flexible engagement and membership opportunities.  The Y helps people achieve their health and fitness goals in a fun, supportive and welcoming community environment. We are dedicated to providing inclusive, challenging and inspiring gymnastics experiences for all young people.

5. What are you most proud of with your club? 

The growth and improvement in customer service since the change of management.  Delivering a better services for families and the rapport we have built with all our families and community members.

6. Why do you think your club is important to families and your community?

We believe that gymnastics is an excellent form of physical education, serving as the foundation for all human movement and other sports.

Gymnastics allows us to impact individuals from crawling age to senior citizens, fostering socialisation and lifelong skill development.  This is  evident from our kinder programs right through to our Pryme Movers 50+ community fitness.  Our regular attendees often comment that our classes are the highlight of the week - catching up with friends, mums groups, coffee dates after class and lifelong friendships are made.

7. What piece of advice would you give to a gymnast/student?

I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. Follow your heart.  It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

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