about us
Martin and Kerwen have been running The Gym Centre for over 30 years. It is a well-respected gymnastics club in Gloucestershire and has taught thousands of children gymnastics over the years.
The Cheltenham School of Gymnastics offer recreational gymnastics classes for boys and girls:
Cheltenham Gymnastics - There are classes for school age and pre-school children at Bournside Sports Centre in Cheltenham
Tewkesbury Gymnastics - There are classes for children of reception age to teenagers at Tewkesbury Sports Centre.
Gloucester Gymnastics - There are classes for home educated children and children from St Paul's School at GL1 Leisure Centre in Gloucester.
The aim is to progress the gymnasts towards our competition groups who train in a purpose-built Olympic facility at GL1 Leisure Centre, Gloucester and move them on to represent The Gym Centre in Club, County and Regional competitions.
Please review the class timetable and get in touch if you would like more information.
Some of our competitive gymnasts:
history
In the beginning
THE GYM CENTRE was founded in the early eighties, first at Cheltenham Men’s College and later at the old pavilion in Montpellier Gardens. In 1991 Martin and Kerwen took over the club to save it from closure.
In 1998, due to the clubs success, under the umbrella of The Gym Centre we added The Cheltenham School of Gymnastics. The CSG continued to supply recreation classes to pre-school and school age children as well as a full program supporting Gloucestershire schools.
Although we have run our Tewkesbury club at Tewkesbury Sports Centre for over 30 years we have had to move around a bit with other venues. In September 2001 we settled in Gloucester with our competition groups and in 2005 at Bournside Sports Centre with our Cheltenham recreation and preschool classes.
Over the years
In this time, we've had teams of between 60 and 80 parents and children representing The United Kingdom in 4 World Gymnaestrada events in Amsterdam, Berlin, Gothenburg and Austria. At the Austria displays we were ranked as one of the top 5 displays from countries all around the world.
To improve our skills and knowledge we have had several trips to The Dynamo Gymnastics Centre in Moscow in 1992 & 1994.
In 1996 and in 1998 we had a Russian Olympic coach live and coach with us for 6 months. In 2000 he came back for 2 weeks at Easter with his wife who was an international judge and choreographer.
We have also had exchange events with clubs in Holland, America, and Malta.
Success
Over the years we have had a great deal of success at county and regional level competition. Medalling and winning The West County League on several occasions. What is more important to us is that thousands of children over the years have had a great deal of fun in our sport from grass roots to elite. Lots of have gone on to be great sports people at quite a high level in other sports such as rugby, tennis, swimming, football and diving as well as gymnastics. Many have just built confidence and gone on to be wonderful human beings.
testimonials
"Kerwen is a capable, compassionate and understanding person and I am very pleased that she has been part of my children's lives and guided their development over the past four years."
"Kerwen is professional and approachable, runs the classes efficiently and has a good relationship with the children in her care."
"Just emailing you to say how pleased we are with the gymnastics class that my daughters come to at Bournside. The running of this club is very organised and the girls have felt very happy and comfortable."
"We love being in your gymnastics club! We have had a great first term learning to do lots of things. Thank you for teaching us all the skills and for helping us on the beam, bars and floor."
"I would like to thank you both for your wonderful teaching over the last four years. The boys have loved every lesson and I know they will miss it tremendously."
"Thank you for all the support & encouragement you have given my daughter this academic year. We have seen her confidence grow immensely, and she always looks forward to the lessons."
"We truly appreciate the support and encouragement our daughter has received from you and the gymnastics class. She has enjoyed her time with the group and has benefitted greatly from the experience."
"I have nothing but respect for the way Kerwen manages, communicates and cares for the children in her care during the lesson. She deals with the more challenging children's behaviour in a very patient manner and commands their attention in a way which shows she's clearly experienced in dealing with children who are behaviourally challenged."