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A Short History of Gryphon West

The Gryphon West Gym Club practices Sports Acrobatics and tumbling in both Sherborne and Yeovil. Sports Acrobatics is a form of gymnastics designed around balance and agility, and is performed on both floor and sprung track.

The Gryphon West Club arose from the ashes of Preston Gym Club of Yeovil in 1999. It was fortunate to inherit its assets, which included a full-carpeted area and a very ancient half-length tumbling track. It also inherited a moderate financial legacy, which enabled it to establish a legal status within the gymnastic arena. The club at this time had approximately 20 gymnasts.

In October of that year, a committee was created to formalise the running of the club and assist with administration and decision-making. As the club is based jointly between the Gryphon Leisure Centre in Sherborne and Westfield School of Yeovil it was decided that the club should be known as “Gryphon West”.

With the basis of the club now formed and early teething problems ironed out, the club set itself the following 5 criteria, with the aim to improve standards in both achievement and facilities:

  1. Maintain and increase its membership.
  2. Increase the number of coaches.
  3. Provide continued support and training for the coaches.
  4. Provide an acceptable standard of equipment.
  5. Improve the club status and identity.

By 2002, thanks to significant funds being secured, a new full-length fibre rod tumbling track was purchased, and Gryphon West gymnasts were now entering competitions all kitted out in their new club-coloured tracksuits.

In 2003, the club hosted the SW Schools and Dorset & Wiltshire Competitions for the first time. Chris Rogers also gained the distinction of becoming the first gymnast to represent the club at the NDP Finals. A year later the Club gained it's first medal at the NDP Finals - a 2nd place for Becky Hibberd. GymMark status was attained in 2005 and club gymnasts Craig Goldring and Chantal Williams represented their schools at the BSGA Acro Gym National Finals.

2006 saw more & more gymnasts represented at National Finals. Two of them collecting medals; Nicholas Holder with a Gold at the School's Finals (with Christopher Rogers from Monarch's), and Alisha Summerbell with a Tumbling Bronze at the NDP Finals.

The club has recently had it's best ever year at the NDP South-West Preliminaries in 2008 by winning 12 Gold Medals, 5 Silver and 3 Bronze. It added to this by winning 2 Gold Medals at the NDP Finals and taking part in the prestigious Gutenberg Cup in Germany in October. The year ended on a high with Gryphon West being named South Somerset's Junior Club of the Year and probably the biggest achievement to date, the Men's Four winning the 11-16 Age Group at the Acrobatic & Tumbling Gymnastic British Open Tournament.

Today, the club has a registered membership of approximately 80 gymnasts ranging in age from 7 to 17. Training sessions take place on a Monday, Thursday, Saturday and every second Sunday of the month. The club currently has six Coaches plus a number of Assistant Coaches and qualified judges all of whom are CRB approved.

 

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Copyright © 2005 Gryphon West Gym Club
Last modified: February 14, 2010