New peak industry body established to represent interests of gymnastics clubs

A new non-profit organisation, Gymnastics Clubs Australia has been established to provide gymnastics clubs across the nation with a peak industry body.

Explaining that the new body is an evolution of what started 12 years ago as the Gymnastic Professionals of Australia, Gymnastics Clubs Australia (GCA) inaugural Chair, Sarah Reid advises “the Board is comprised of passionate, experienced, successful club owners/managers who are committed to ensuring delivery around the motto - that is, providing inspired leadership through education, advocacy and community.”

GCA emphasises that it is not in competition with Gymnastics Australia (the national sporting organisation) or the various state gymnastics associations and has no agenda to have athlete members, provide meets, undertake coach accreditation or the like.

GCA Chief Executive, Ross Gage states “helping clubs not only be sustainable, but thrive, is the GCA agenda. To this end, there is a focus on workforce development - staffing; customer experience - acquisition and retention; and business basics and systems - including compliance matters”.

Already a series of webcasts have been instigated and networking opportunities established, while Reid adds “the first National Congress - On the Business of Gymnastics Clubs - will be the showpiece in 2021, with a buzz already about for this long-awaited get-together”.

Gage notes that the model is similar to that which was successfully employed to raise standards in the swim schools industry via Swim Australia and the Australian Swim Schools Association.

Having established both entities, Gage emphasises that there are significant differences representing more experiences, new knowledge and the critical nuances of the gymnastics industry pertaining to clubs - the key providers.

As of 16th February, already 41 sites had signed up as Foundation Members - this being in additional to annual Club Membership.

For more information go to www.gymnasticsclubsaustralia.org.au