BLACKPOOL GYM CLUB - A STORY OF SUCCESS!

 I am absolutely delighted that Blackpool Gym Club have won our first U.K. Club of the Week Award! Their story is an inspiration to Clubs and countless volunteers around the U.K. It demonstrates the great spirit and determination of Coaches, gymnasts and parents to provide Blackpool with a purpose built gym, after 19 years training in a YMCA Building and a hall not much bigger than a badminton court! 

Their incredible journey began 20 years ago when Head Coach Janet Mankowska and Anita Carty set up a Club based in a local YMCA Building with a Recreational and an Advanced Group training twice a week. As the Club began to grow they also used a small Village Hall. Janet & Anita travelled all over the North West visiting other Clubs increasing their knowledge and techniques, and entered their first gymnast in a County Competition which she won. The competition bug had bitten, and the competition squad increased training to three times a week and word of their success and enthusiasm began to spread. One day a young girl called Emma Nicholson walked into the gym and everyone could see her fantastic potential. Anita recalls that Emma had amazing talent and in the early 1990’s Blackpool entered Emma into the British Championships for the first time where she finished ahead of Annika Reeder who went on to captain Great Britain. Emma won 2 medals and was selected for the British Team where she competed in many Internationals including a televised Weetabix Tournament where she came 3rd. Blackpool were still training in a Village Hall and a Sports Centre twice a week, and Emma had to move on to another Club to help her to succeed even further.

The Club then took a break from competitive gymnastics at Elite Level and concentrated on Displays where they travelled to many countries including Germany.

Twelve years after they began, Blackpool were offered the use of Blackpool Sports Centre, which was a bigger facility and the Club increased it’s membership with great support from parents. Two years later the Club had 15 qualified Coaches and several judges, and decided to enter Elite Competitions again! The Club had an incredible two year’s waiting list for places. Then came an offer which was to change the Club forever!

 Blackpool Council offered a full time purpose built gym and this was a massive boost for everyone. Anita commented  “ We could not believe our luck, after 19 years training in smaller halls we finally had the opportunity to have our own full time training facility”. However the Club had run out of money and only had 3 months to raise thirty thousand pounds to equip the Gym with a floor area, beam, bars and mats! Coaches, parents and gymnasts all began a massive fund raising campaign to raise money and the Club received fantastic support from the National Lottery, U.K. Sport plus local companies and Blackpool Council. As the clock ticked down, Blackpool hit their target, and brought a sprung floor. Great Britain Captain Beth Tweddle officially opened Blackpool Gym Club’s new facility, and she is shown below with the Blackpool Squad and Coaches. It must have been a very proud and emotional day for everyone after so much hard work and planning.       

All photos on this Site are copyright of Sing Lo, Samantha Davies, Philip Morton, and World Gym Art. All photos are copyright and must not be used  without permission.

In March this year many of the Blackpool gymnasts competed in the North West Regional Grades Competition and Lancashire Conpetition and successfully passed their Grades. The gymnasts are pictured with their medals and Cups.

 Front row left to right, Alisha Johnson. Lydia Walker. Alice Brown,
2nd row, Ophelia Thompson, Chelsey Baldwin, Christiana Dowds, Kathryn Ellor, Melanie Evans.
3rd row Sophie Mansfield, Abigail Hulme, Rebekah Pierre, Claire Burgess, Nicole Wainright
Back row, Morgan Hanley, Kirsty Pemberton, Hannah Richardson, Sophie Weszka, Christopher Gregory and Jodie Hanley.

Below Chelsey Baldwin, member of World Class Start Program who will be competing at this weekend’s British Espoire’s Championships in Guildford. Good luck Chelsey!  

Blackpool also have 6 members in the North West Regional Squad including Tara Wise, Chelsey Baldwin, Vanessa Hull, Kathryn Ellor, Ophelia Thompson and Melanie Evans. Mel lives in Accrington but her parents travel 6 times a week to Blackpool demonstrating fantastic commitment.

 Two weeks ago Blackpool competed in the Bill Slater competition finishing 15th with top scorer Vanessa Hull finishing a creditable 24th - just 2 years after she began in Novice Competitions.

Today Coaches from around the Region and beyond travel to Blackpool to learn techniques so our story has gone full circle. The Club and it’s gymnasts have benefited enormously from their new facilities and are now competing at National Level.

The winning North West Team from British Grades 2005 including Kathryn Ellor from Blackpool with Nicole Watson and Amy Taylor from Sandbach & Amy Stubbs from Padgate.  Right Anita and supporters.

The Club offer classes 6 days a week from aged 2 pre-school plus trampoline, Adult Classes and Cheer Leading Classes. Please contact Head Coach Janet Mankowska at Blackpool Sports Centre on 01253 478740 or visit their new Website for more details.

When told of our Award as U.K. Club of the Week Anita commented “ Being Club of the Week will mean so much to us, we have had lots of ups and downs over the years but we are back on a roll and here to prove we can be successful again. We are very honoured to be given this Award and honoured to be published next to such high class performers on your brilliant Web Site”.

Thank you Anita, it is great to recognise the fantastic achievements of the whole team of Coaches, gymnasts and parents who have worked so hard to make Blackpool Gym Club the success it is today.

Congratulations to Blackpool on winning our first U.K. Club of the Week Award and good luck in your future competitions!

Feature copyright of Ken Summerfield, Gymnastics Online.

City of Liverpool and Llanelli also named as Winners - Click here to find out more and how your Club could win the opportunity to appear here on Gymnastics Online!