Retention through Tumbling – Midlands Clubs

Anna Robertsone-News, Midlands, Recreational Gymnastics, Trampoline

The new Gymnastics NZ Tumbling Programme routines were recently used for the first time at the annual Hamilton City Recreation Competition. The four stream programme is designed to cater for all ages and abilities providing pathways for competitive and Gym For All members. This approach was designed to help Clubs improve the retention of members and is aligned with the Gymnastics NZ strategic plan where participation is a key pillar.

Hamilton City Gymsports Tumblers. Back left: Kelsey (ex Cheerleading) Back right: Kyla (ex WAG STEP 5) Front left: Ashlie (ex WAG STEP 4) Front right: Erin (ex WAG STEP 6)

Hamilton City GymSports Club (HCG) started a Tumbling Programme a couple of years ago. Head of Trampoline Sports Rachael Sadler explains “Tumbling has become very popular at HCG with three full classes being run each week, catering from absolute beginners through to those starting out in Age Group Competitive Tumbling. We find it’s a popular alternative for the athletes that love flipping and cartwheeling but are not interested in other apparatus”.

HCG tumbling competitors include high school aged students that have all come from other gymnastics based sports including WAG and Cheerleading.

The team competed in either the National Levels Programme, Level 7 or 9 divisions.

When asked what they liked about Tumbling, the athletes said that it was really enjoyable, they liked learning lots of new skills and had a lot of fun.

“It’s pretty cool, I’ve met new people and it feels good to be able to flip lots. I am going to keep doing it if I can” – Ashlie.

Piako Gymnastics Club (Te Aroha Satellite) coach Stacey Eagle saw the Tumbling programme and decided to give it a go for some of her older GFA and WAG athletes. One of which was Sarah, who has finished her Incentive Award badges and needed a bigger challenge. The Tumbling programme was perfect.

Competing in the Nationals Levels Programme – Level 4, from Left – right: Clio, Madison, Sarah (Gym For All) Claudia (current Step 6)

“It’s fun and I get more [specific] tumbling practice” – Claudia.

“It’s fun to backflip and free roam and we got make up our own routine” – Sarah.

For more information about introducing the new Tumbling Programmes please contact your Regional Relationship Manager.