gymfun
Newtownabbey
Founded in 2005, GymFun Gymnastics Club began as a Newtownabbey based Gymnastics
Club specialising in recreational gymnastics. We work in partnership with Ulster
University and are based at the Jordanstown Campus. We provide fun-filled
classes, training, participation and performance opportunities for boys, girls,
teenagers and young adults of all abilities. The name GymFun reflects our
approach to the sport of gymnastics. Our motto is ‘Serious Smiles' which
captures the spirit of all of our activities. We focus on developing children's
fundamental movement skills and confidence through a positive and FUN
environment. We believe that all children can benefit from postitive gymnastics
experiences and that this can help them develop the physical literacy needed for
an active life. We fully subscribe to the belief that gymnastics is to sport and
physical activity as the alphabet is to reading. We therefore emphasise the
mastery of gymnastics skills rather than competitive success. It is our belief
that all children, regardless of ability, should be provided with an enjoyable,
high quality, recreational gymnastics experiences to enable them to achieve
their potential. We strive to ensure our classes are run to the highest
standards and we are constantly evolving our programme. Our Membership GymFun
Jordanstown is one of the largest recreational gymnastics club in the
Newtownabbey. In our Jordantown classes we have over 450 GymFunners training
with us every week! Our members include primary and post primary boys and girls
of all abilities. Most members attend once a week for a one hour class. Some
members train up to 2.5 hours per week. Gymnasts progress, at their own pace,
through 4 levels (Enjoy - Learn, Perform, Master) of the GymFun programme . As
our members get older we work closely with them to plan and structure sessions
that will meet their motivations and needs. Many of our teenage gymnasts are
also training as GymFun Leaders through membership of our Young Leaders Academy
Quality Marks At GymFun Gymnastics Club, in keeping with our 'Serious Smiles'
approach, we believe in providing professional recreational gymnastics provision
and strive to ensure that our member's gymnastics experiences are as positive
and happy as they can be. GymFun is the proud recipient of the British
Gymnastics 'GymMark' accreditation. This quality mark is in recognition of the
safe, child friendly, effective environment we have worked very hard to develop.
We hope that this accreditation helps reassure parents and carers that they are
choosing the right club for their little GymFunners! In 2018 GymFun became one
of Northern Ireland's first clubs to have been awarded the British Gymnastics
Equality Standard accreditation. Affirming our commitment to provision of
inclusive, fair and equitable experiences to all our members regardless of their
potential or ability. Our Coaching Team GymFun Coaches are amongst some of the
most experienced recreational coaches in Northern Ireland. Many of our coaches
(Sinead Connolly, Kelly Morrow, Pippa Davis, Molly Davies) are actively working
for British Gymnastics (as Development Officers and/or Tutors and/or Assessors)
and help to develop the sport across the province through this work. The
majority of our coaching team are studying sport Ulster University undergraduate
or foundation degree. Education, training and continuous professional
development are a focus for all of our team. We hope this commitment to constant
learning, improvement and change is reflected in the quality of our GymFun
classes. GymFun Student Employability Programme Developing the gymnastics
coaching workforce is one of our priorities at GymFun. We work in partnership
with Ulster University and British Gymnastics NI, delivering the GymFun Student
Employability Programme. This programme is unique in the UK and is the most
significant contributor to recruiting, training and deploying new coaches into
the sport of gymnastics in Northern Ireland. We are proud to say that many of
our graduates have gone on to open their own gymnastics clubs and/or are working
in full time gymnastics careers, impacting the development of the sport across
the province. Irish Football Association Partnership We are also working with
the IFA Young Girls Excellence programme. This work involves providing
gymnastics specific strength, conditioning and flexibility training to the IFA
junior girls squads. Through this innovative initiative it is hoped that the
young aspiring footballers will enhance their fitness, physical strength and
body management and in turn lead to improvements on the pitch!
