A gymnastics club from Cornwall has reopened its doors for under 18’s group sessions, to the delight of young gymnasts.

After showing impressive flexibility - only too easy for gymnasts - making do with home-based training and zoom classes, Swallows of Helston Gymnastics Club can finally enjoy hosting in-person sessions.

For so many young gymnasts, gym facilities being closed has meant an abrupt break in training they have never before had to cope with, along with missing out on seeing friends and learning together.

As the British Gymnastics roadmap is at last able to be put into motion, clubs across England began the return to normality on Monday April 12, with all age groups planned to be able to take part in socially distanced gymnastics sessions from May 17.

Talking of the excitement to return, Tracey Bullen, chair at Swallows of Helston Gymnastics Club said: "It couldn't come soon enough!

"The gym is an essential part of our members lives, through meeting friends and staying fit and healthy."

"The gym is a hub, a place to meet friends, train and compete with them; a belonging.

"For our disabled members its s chance to express themselves, downtime for parents."

"The first session back was fantastic!

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"Our gymnasts were so happy to be back doing what they love – it made the long wait worth it to see all their happy faces."

A focus on positivity has kept Swallows Gymnastics strong through even the most difficult periods.

Bullen reflected: "The club is in its 48th year and is one of the longest standing sports charities in the county.

"It has been an incredibly difficult time financially but having looked back over our social media for the last year, there have been some great moments - the toilet roll challenge, the many competitions, the themed zoom sessions, fundraising efforts by members.

"It has been a tough year for all, but we are so grateful that we are out the other side and see our members return to gym safely.

"The club provided 4 months of subsidised zoom sessions so that everyone can train at home and stay connected.

"We were not able to do so in the first lockdown, we weren't set up for it, staff not trained and despite trying to stay connected via social media, it was detrimental to all."

British Gymnastics clubs’ resilience has been called into action once again, as the return to sport has meant making some adjustments to keep everyone safe, and Swallows of Helston Gymnastics Club is no exception.

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"The Step Forward plan is a great resource for guidance and BG have done a great job in providing and keeping it up to date.

"The gym has been deep cleaned ready and our staff have worked extremely hard to make further amendments to the layout so that we can again safely see the return of our members."

British Gymnastics, the national governing body for the sport in the UK, commended clubs’ resilience throughout the pandemic, and cannot wait to see gymnasts up and down the country return to the gym.

British Gymnastics Interim Chief Executive, Alastair Marks, said: "I want to thank all clubs and coaches that have continued to stay positive throughout, encouraging their gymnasts to take part in online classes and get creative at home, as well as recognising the lengths that they have gone to in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19, by taking on the advice and guidance within our Step Forward Plan.

"We’re absolutely thrilled that many clubs are now able to return to indoor training, and that members, especially young gymnasts who’ve missed out on so much over multiple lockdowns, can now get back to enjoying the sport they love."

For up-to-date advice and best practice, visit british-gymnastics.org.

To find out more about Swallows of Helston Gymnastics, visit swallowsgym.co.uk/ or follow them on their social channels.