Sport
17 March, 2023
Gym extension will handle 1000 athletes
NOT-for-profit club South Cairns Gymnastics aims to fundraise $15,000 in 2023 to buy new equipment and complete the $2.3 million renovation of their gym that will fit over 1000 gymnasts.
Founded in the 1980s, South Cairns Gymnastics has been experiencing exponential growth in the last decade, and with over 400 members by early 2023, they have outgrown their space.
The club works in partnership with Gym Sports FNQ. South Cairns Gymnastics owns the venue and equipment, and Gym Sports FNQ runs the competitive and recreational gymnastics programs for children and adults.
So far, South Cairns Gymnastics has received funding from federal government through the Northern Australia Development Program (NADP) grants ($978,700) and another round of funding from Cairns Regional Council ($911,312) for the building’s expansion. The club is now searching for funding for the gym’s equipment.
Through 2023, South Cairns Gymnastics will focus on fundraising efforts starting with a Mother’s Day raffle up to early May.
Gym treasurer Jodi Payne said the expansion of the gym would ensure more opportunities for local gymnasts.
“We’ve grown consistently over the past 20 years,” Ms Payne said.
“We grew too big for our space, and we now have people on waiting lists. Construction of the building has begun and should be finished in June this year.
“The government and Cairns Regional Council allocated funding for us, and we had to take a loan for the difference to almost triple the size of our building.
“As a part of that process, we need to find funds for the specialist equipment the gymnasts need.
“To host authorised competitions, we need special equipment, and that’s what our fundraising will go to; we’ll also develop our coaches, gymnasts and judges through development programs that the club pays for.”
Ms Payne said the number of members would double by the end of the year, and a new building would allow them to cover the demand.
“We started the year very strongly with over 400 members, and that will grow over double that by the end of the year,” she said.
“The new space will give us the capacity to have over 1000 gymnasts.
“We’re going to have 1000 young people running around who need us all to get together so they can have the facilities and resources available to them just like they have down south.”
South Cairns Gymnastics have started their fundraising efforts through a Mother’s Day Monster up until May and a fun run event in September.
“It’s been a long journey for our gymnastics club, and hard-fought with fundraising and those grants and those key stakeholders, but to keep everything moving along, we really need the local support,” Ms Payne said.
“South Cairns Gymnastics have brought up amazing gymnasts over the years. Back in 2021, we had the first level place in Queensland for one of our level four gymnasts.
“This year, we have six girls going to the state championships as seniors, and that’s a big deal.
“They’ve really developed; these kids have been a part of our club for many years.”
Ms Payne said some trained up to 15 hours a week and needed more space to enjoy the sport.
She said this was the perfect time for the community to support gymnastics and Cairns’ raw talent in the sport.
To sponsor and/or donate to the club email info@southcairnsgymnastics.org or call Jodi Payne at 0420 929 949.
