Darlington Gymnastics Club (DGC) is a Community Amateur Sports Club based in Darlington and currently operating under the auspices of British Gymnastics (BG) affiliated to the North of England Gymnastics Association (NEGA).
Based in Darlington since its inception in 1970, Darlington Gymnastics Club has always sought to provide gymnasts of all ages with the opportunity to participate and compete at every level. The key objective throughout the clubs history has been to provide children of all backgrounds and abilities with an all-round training that would enable them to compete with others of similar capability and help them to reach their full potential as gymnasts. In achieving this objective it is hoped that children will develop a love of all sport that will continue into teenage years and beyond. It is also anticipated that all the members of the club will develop a clearer understanding of the role of sporting activities within the community, and work as part of that community to support the club.
During the early years DGC was housed in various schools, with gymnasts training on an evening and at a weekend. Space and time were limited and membership remained small. In 1990, redevelopment of the schools resulted in the move to accommodation in Eastbourne School Gymnasium, at that time forming part of the Eastbourne Sports Complex. The uncertain future of the school facilities, resulted in the management committee deciding to find and rent an appropriate home that would allow DGC to develop. In November 2007, DGC moved to old, but extensively renovated, warehouse premises on Weir Street in central Darlington.
This move allowed DGC to consolidate its membership, to recruit, train and develop new coaches and expand its membership significantly. With an increased number of British Gymnastics trained coaches, better management and better use of existing facilities DGC increased the number of recreational gymnasts to over 400. In addition, the membership of the competitive element of the club increased to around 90 gymnasts.
In 2012, DGC joined forces with 4Motion (a community group set up to provide indoor facilities for bikers, skateboarders and scooter users) to look for suitable premises and, in March 2013 Darlington Borough Council granted Change of Use Planning Permission and agreed the proposed development of our current home on Faverdale Industrial Estate. This, purpose redesigned building was funded by Charity fundraising and Inspired Facilities Grant Awards.
Darlington Gymnastics club has been a community based club. Its generations of volunteer committee members, coaches and parents have each developed the club in a different way allowing it to become the dynamic, thriving community Club it is now. The strength of Darlington Gymnastics Club is in its roots in the community, the same community that volunteers to run the club and coach the children and which, in turn, benefits from the experiences and support the club provides.
The current management are acutely aware that, as the club grows in size, it could be easy for some members to feel isolated. The structure of the committee provides positions for a parentโs representative, a coachโs representative, a gymnastโs representative and an individual to represent the views of the parents of recreational gymnasts. It is hoped that this broad range of views will ensure that the committee doesnโt become focused on one area of club development over any other area. All vacant Committee posts are advertised and are open for anyone to apply for.
DGC works hard to inform and engage parents and gymnasts within the club with updated notice boards and by generally being available to chat with parents. It is involved in community projects: the local carnival, public demonstrations and community fun days. This engagement with the wider community will continue.
