Gracemount Leisure Centre has a new state-of-the-art gymnastics sprung floor. The 12m x 12m carpeted floor is the same type as that used in the Rio 2016 Olympics and will be used for the World Championships and all British Gymnastics events.
Hilary Roberts, General Manager at Gracemount said: “The addition of the gymnastics sprung floor at Gracemount Leisure Centre will not only improve the facilities available in the south of Edinburgh but will enable Gracemount Leisure Centre to better support and grow our gymnastics programme, which has around 9,200 visits a year, and support our gymnastics’ club use.
“It will give extra bounce in tumbling skills for experienced gymnasts, allowing competitive gymnasts to train in a similar environment to competitions, yet will also help those developing and learning more basic floor skills.”
Comprised of metal springs, wood, three foam layers and a carpet on top, this type of surface eases pressure on muscles and joints and reduces the risk of injury. It will help to enhance the performance for gymnasts who will learn and progress quicker, with an improved customer experience to attract more young people into the gymnastics programme.
Sportscotland provided match funding for the initiative. Stewart Harris, Chief Executive, sportscotland said: “sportscotland is committed to building a world-class sporting system at all levels in Scotland. Providing access to quality facilities, such as the new sprung floor at Gracemount Leisure Centre, plays an important part in delivering on that aim.
“Gymnastics is a fantastic sport for giving children and young people the essential physical literacy skills to progress in this and so many other sports. We are delighted that our investment in this upgrade will play a part in creating more and better opportunities for young people to take part in gymnastics, to enjoy their sport, and to reach their full potential.”
Edinburgh Leisure’s gymnastics programme is open to children from as young as 18 months with their Gym Nippers programme, progressing through to their children’s gymnastics programme from aged five through to teens. Everyone enters the gymnastics coaching programme at general level to ensure the basics are mastered before progressing. The coaches regularly assess gymnasts to ensure they are continually progressing through Edinburgh Leisure’s well-structured programme.
All Edinburgh Leisure classes are designed to help children and teenagers to develop both physically and socially within a structured programme, learning gymnastics skills on the floor and on the vault and in some of Edinburgh Leisure’s sites the bar and the beam can also be learnt.
Children can join the gymnastics programme at any time, providing there is space. Edinburgh Leisure’s new online Coaching Home Portal allows a parent to access their family’s coaching information and manage payments online at the click of a button. Coaches will use a tablet during lessons to record attendance and log progress reports.
To enquire and find out more about Gracemount’s gymnastics programme, contact: 0131 658 1940 or email: info.glc@edinburghleisure.co.uk
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