Pinetown gymnastics club hosts trials for a national competition
The Pinetown Gymnastics Club, based in Lahee Park, is thriving after the Covid-19 pandemic and continues to be an important hub for eThekwini gymnasts.
THE PINETOWN Gymnastics Club hosted the KZN Artistic Trial for the National Gymnastics Games on August 27.
The Pinetown club, based in Lahee Park, proclaimed the event a success. The trial participants were required to perform on four apparatuses – the Vault, Bar, Beam, and the Floor. Both Pinetown Gymnastics Club members, Leah Maria and Nquobile Khuzwayo, achieved the necessary qualification score and will be able to compete in the National Gymnastic Games in Pretoria in October.
The Pinetown Gymnastics Club is an NPO, situated at their current premises in Lahee Park since 1991. The gym has the African Wild Dog as their mascot and displays the motto, ‘The strength of the pack is the dog, and the strength of the dog is the pack’, at the entrance to the club.
ALSO READ: Highway Mail 2 September 2022
Manager Alan Chadwick says, “The Pinetown Gymnastics Club is committed to growth and providing world-class facilities to the gymnastic community. We offer training for gymnasts from four years and above. Gymnastics is important for today’s youth as the sport develops basic co-ordination, flexibility, strength, personal discipline and self-confidence.”
Prior to the Covid pandemic, the gymnastics club had 500 members and outreach programmes at seven schools. Following the pandemic, the membership dwindled to 100 members. Recovering slowly, the club has grown again to a healthy membership of 300 committed gymnasts, and the outreach programme is well established once more, with five schools benefitting from engagement with the gym coaches.
ALSO READ: International Queen show due to perform in Durban this weekend
With the aid of the National Lottery Commission in 2005, an additional 600 square meters was added onto the building, enabling them to host the South African Games that year. The equipment was upgraded to international standards in 2011, again with the assistance of the National Lottery. Currently, the management has resumed building and equipment maintenance after a two-year hold due to the pandemic.
For more information or if you would like to join the club, email: admin@ptngym.co.za.
Members of Pinetown Gymnastics Club who competed in Saturday’s competition, Nquobile Khuzwayo (level 7) and Leah Maria (level 6).
