MAPLE Gymnastics - A Brief History

MAPLE GYMNASTICS was opened by Lindsay Broomfield in February 1989. The club was originally based in the Scout Hall, Canada Road and at Plaitford Village Hall before moving to its present location in Landford at the end of 1993. In 2009 Brockenhurst Gymnastics Club (based in Brockenhurst) came under the umbrella of MAPLE Gymnastics.

Lindsay’s background in the sport of gymnastics is extensive and stretches back to when at 7 years old she started practising gymnastics in a local church village hall. Shortly “serious” started training with Monica and Brian Phelps at OLGA GC in Parkstone, Dorset where she became a national and international competitor. Lindsay’s interests naturally progressed into teaching gymnastics where she holds NGB qualifications and works in schools advising primary teachers with their curricular gymnastics programmes. Lindsay is also the author of the teaching resource, A Complete Guide to Primary Gymnastics.

MAPLE GYMNASTICS caters for all children aged from walking through to young adulthood. The club works on a policy of Safety, Fun and Improvement thus providing a physically stimulating environment in a fun and disciplined atmosphere. It is hoped that children will improve their basic fitness levels, become more aware of their physical abilities, learn to take responsibility for their movements and gain a respect for others in a fun and safe gymnastics activity. Gymnastics skills are organised in levels according to difficulty and progress can be mapped through level progression in the Gymnastics-specific Skills Awards. Children’s physical abilities and learning curves vary greatly though and therefore we aim to provide as much other physical stimulation and activity as possible through the Basic Physical Reward Programme. The scheme promotes physical fitness exercises, develops FUNdamentals skills, encourages social interaction and raises self-confidence.

The club has an extensive range of equipment including tumble mats, beams, benches, bar, vaults, springboards, trampette, trampolines and a host of hand equipment. The equipment is organised according to the age and ability of the class. The classes are well supervised (1 coach to 6-8 children) and the club is now in the fortunate position of having ex-gymnasts to help. Whilst the clubs gymnastics programme is essentially a recreation activity, there is scope for those with an ability and interest to progress to gymnastics and trampolining competitions at county and regional levels. The club has won numerous gymnastics medals at county level, produced regional champions and even progressed to the national finals in sports acrobatics. The club hosts its own annual Club Competition just before Christmas and every child is invited to take part. In the summer we also take part in local fetes performing a gymnastics display and invite all the children to be involved. Twice a year the children are given the opportunity to gain certificates through the Basic Physical Reward Programme and once a year to progress through the levels of the Gymnastics-specific Awards.

MAPLE GYMNASTICS therefore hopes to provide a physically challenging environment in a disciplined arena with an educational and responsible view to improving ones FUNdamental skills, fitness level and an ability to perform gymnastics skills.

The individual needs of each child are considered at every level of participation.