Congratulations to Bangor Gymnastics Club who have been chosen as this month’s insport Club of the Month!
Bangor Gymnastics Club offers weekly sessions that are inclusive for disabled people aged 4 years and above. The club encourages parents and other family members to integrate into the sessions and emphasises that sessions are bilingual to ensure everyone has the opportunity to engage.
In October 2015 Bangor Gymnastics Club began to offer disability sessions, initially starting with 6 members. However due to popular demand, there are now 15 members within two exclusive classes and integrated within the recreational club sessions. 4 of the club’s coaches are qualified in Disability Gymnastics, who are vital to the smooth running of the club’s disability gymnastics pathway.
The club has seen success as a result of its inclusive provision, not just through an increase in membership but also through individuals participating at competition level. For example, one member competed at the Rotary Club Disability competition in Ysgol y Bont, and came away with 3 medals! Having achieved the insport Silver Standard, Bangor Gymnastics Club has shown how this level of commitment to inclusive sport can positively impact the club and its members.
The club has received support and guidance from the insport programme, particularly through the DSW Disability Inclusion Training workshops and the clear guidelines that they have received since joining the insport journey. However, the club also feels that through working in partnership with local groups such as North Wales Autistic Society and the local hospital, they have been able to raise awareness of the sessions they offer and therefore further develop their disability programme.
Increasing the profile of gymnastics as a fun and accessible sport for disabled people is high a high priority for the club. It hopes that through its disability programme and working with partners, the club will continue develop and increase the provision of Disability Gymnastics, furthermore increasing participation within the North Wales area. Achieving the insport Gold Standard is the ultimate goal for Bangor Gymnastics Club; all those involved are excited to continue to develop along the insport journey in order to achieve the ultimate goal.
Michelle Daltry Disability Sport Wales Partnership Manager said: “Bangor Gym Club is one of the first insport Silver clubs in North Wales, with a membership of over 500 individuals and a waiting list to match that is a testimony to the popularity of the club. This insport club of the month award is a well-deserved award that recognises their genuine commitment to high quality inclusive opportunities for all”
Congratulations to Bangor Gymnastics Club – thoroughly deserved!
