Maidenhead gymnastics club calls for help to find permanent base

A gymnastics club in Maidenhead is searching for a permanent base and the director has called upon the Royal Borough for help.

Airborne Gymnastics was launched by Lauren Gillard in 2013 and she is now calling for action, stating that it is a ‘scandal that the borough cannot provide opportunities to children desperately wanting to take up the sport’.

The club is currently run from two locations in the town – Newlands Girls’ School as part of its school-age plus programme, and Boyne Hill Scout Hall for its pre-school and play gym gymnasts.

It receives ‘no authority funding and is the only British Gymnastics registered club in Maidenhead’.

It provides coaching to 410 youngsters in weekly classes and there is a waiting list of more than 300 children.

Lauren said: “It’s a scandal that the borough cannot provide opportunities to children desperately wanting to take up the sport.

“We are in desperate need of a permanent base for the club within Maidenhead or the surrounding area.

“We currently use portable equipment which is set up and packed away daily. The result is that we see talented gymnasts having to leave the Airborne family and taking their talent outside of the borough to progress.”

The 29-year-old added: “I am so proud of all our gymnasts’ achievements, from our squad gymnasts, through to our progressive recreational members and our pre-school toddlers.

“Airborne has grown from strength to strength over the years and, with our 10th birthday approaching in September, nothing would mean more to us than finding a permanent home for our talented gymnasts and coaches.

“The borough is in desperate need of a dedicated gymnastics facility: Phoenix Gymnastics Club should have been saved by the borough.

“It was where my own journey as a gymnast began; it was a hub that allowed the borough to facilitate the career of talented athletes within RBWM.”

Water Oakley-based Phoenix closed in 2021 after planning issues curtailed its bid to move to a new facility in Fifield.

Lauren added: “I believe that the borough could help to repair some of the damage caused to the gymnastics community by providing an opportunity to a club who has the core values and dedicated coaching team to aid the next 50 years of safe gymnastics within the borough.”

In a statement, the council, said: “The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead recognises the important role all community clubs play in supporting active healthy lifestyles and helping young people to achieve their aspirations in their chosen sport.

“We’re lucky to have a number of gymnastics clubs in the Royal Borough.

“While the council isn’t in a position to finance individual clubs, we are happy to have a discussion with sports clubs around their aspirations, help them explore external funding opportunities which might be available, and champion collaboration between clubs on initiatives supporting gymnastics locally.

“Over a number of months, officers have been working hard with key partners, and in turn our local gymnastics clubs and organisations, to refresh the council’s overarching Sport and Leisure Strategy 2023-2033, which is nearing completion.

“This will include recommendations from an updated Built Facilities Strategy that looks specifically at indoor sport and fitness facility provision across the borough against demand, and in turn identifies areas of strength and development, including some relating to gymnastics.

“While recognising the desire of many clubs for dedicated bases, the council also recognises the importance of making better use of current sports facilities, including those at schools.

“The council also engages with National Governing Bodies to consider future opportunities to enhance existing facilities and secure associated funding.”