Local gymnastics and cheerleading centre wins coveted award for engaging women and young girls.
A Caldicot-based gymnastics and cheerleading club has had its work recognised with a national award from the charity StreetGames.
Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading is this years national winner of the StreetGames Engaging Women and Girls Award, which celebrates individuals and groups that have positively engaged with women and girls to increase and sustain participation in sport and physical activity.
In 2020, Sports clubs across the country faced many challenges after being forced to close their doors for extended periods during the pandemic. Some were able to reopen but a small gymnastics club (Fantastic Gymnastics) who offered girls only gym sessions found themselves unable to reopen. Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading’s management committee met with the lead coach of Fantastic Gymnastics and together devised a plan to reopen and deliver gymnastics to the diverse communities of Butetown.
Since reopening, in March 2022, the club has gone from strength to strength and have had over 150 girls taking part from a variety of backgrounds. The club introduced the national Fit and Fed programme during the summer of 2023 and fantastically engaged 92 girls to attend free multi sports activities with a free hot meal during the summer break. The club have recently employed 5 women from the local community and introduced a Young Leaders Academy, providing opportunities for girls aged 12 to volunteer within sessions and take part in training opportunities, all while building their confidence and becoming role models for other young girls to look up to.
Additionally, the club has facilitated a women’s coaching course and invested in new equipment for the venue. It is remarkable to see so many women and girls from the BME community come together to enjoy getting fit and active in a safe, female only environment.
Mark Lawrie, Chief Executive of StreetGames, says:
“Supporting women and girls from Ethnically Diverse Communities into engaging activities is really important and the club has some amazing achievements to be proud of following a challenging time. Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading stepped up and supported the members of Fantastic Gymnastics to ensure they could continue to engage in sporting activities within a safe space, not only that they have expanded their offering to the wider community, ensuring that more young women and girls have the opportunities to engage in sports and activities.”
