Boost in funding from British Gymnastics sees Wakefield club reach more people than ever

A gymnastics club in Wakefield is reaching more people than ever because of a brand new funding programme launched by British Gymnastics.

So far, the game’s governing physique has allotted £2.4m in inexpensive loans as a part of their Club Capital scheme, with £1.3m already drawn down by golf equipment. Twenty one have had their purposes accredited, with Utopia Gymnastics Club one in all 9 full tasks.

Utopia was shaped in 2017 by ex-Yorkshire gymnast Kirstie Limbert and husband Luke with the aim of introducing the game – and more importantly, the chance for anybody to take part in bodily exercise – to the local people.

A gymnastics club in Wakefield is reaching more people than ever because of a brand new funding programme launched by British Gymnastics.

Utopia is the primary purpose-built facility in the world, and with many golf equipment in the area already at capability, it has helped coped with the outstanding demand for gymnastics in the world. 

Following the opening session in May 2021, the club has already grown to 500 members, and has hyperlinks into Wakefield colleges, creating employment alternatives, and offering the area’s first ever devoted facility providing inventive gymnastics programmes for younger people.

Kirstie, director at Utopia, stated: ‘I used to train in a church when I was a gymnast – but this is a different world. In the church we never had a full sprung floor, just a rectangle, which meant when we got to competitions, we had to replan our entire routines to do it on the full-size floor. It’s implausible to present our younger people the chance to coach on the perfect tools there’s.

‘We are very much a grassroots club, we are working hard to continue developing our relationship with local schools where we are able to go in and deliver sessions to those who may never have had the chance to experience the sport at all.

‘We wouldn’t have been in a position to open with out Club Capital. After being turned down by fairly just a few totally different lenders, we spoke to our services assist officer at British Gymnastics who helped us get it off the bottom. As quickly as we heard concerning the alternative, we had been instantly and had been simply determined to grasp our imaginative and prescient, and I’m so glad we’ve got received there.’

Utopia was shaped in 2017 by ex-Yorkshire gymnast Kirstie Limbert and husband Luke with the aim of introducing the game – and more importantly, the chance for anybody to take part in bodily exercise – to the local people.

Converted from an industrial unit, the venture wanted £320,000 to rework useless house right into a leisure house, together with a reception, communal space, gymnastics ground, podium pit, in addition to a further dance studio which incorporates additional gymnastics house.

Dave Marshall, participation director at British Gymnastics and on the forefront of the Club Capital initiative, visited the club simply earlier than the club’s Christmas break.

‘It is absolutely wonderful to see Utopia Gymnastics making the most of their new facilities,’ he stated. 

‘We have been working hard to create as many opportunities in gymnastics through our Club Capital project, as well as providing stability to clubs whilst they rebuild through our Covid Recovery fund which includes a £1.5million recovery loan to help clubs who have been impacted by the pandemic. 

‘We have already committed over £2million to Club Capital projects, but there is more money to come so I would urge anyone if they are interested in what is available to help support their club, to look on our website.’

To discover out more, or to use for funding in your club, go to www.clubcapital.co.uk