GYMNASTICS: Delyn Gymnastics celebrates 10th anniversary and looks towards a bright future

On Saturday, 14th September, Delyn Gymnastics Club based in Flintshire celebrated their 10-year anniversary with a fun filled, free open day for all.

During the day, they opened their doors free of charge to over 400 children and their families with lots of mums and dads joining in on the gymnastics equipment at their facility in Mostyn and a special display, presentation and lunch reception for key people who have helped the club in the past 10 years.

Delyn Gymnastics started life as Flint Castle Gymnastics Club and operated out of Flint High School for 9 years, In 2016 they became Delyn as they added sessions at Holywell High School.

On their first day of opening in 2014, the founding coaches, Jen Waite, Kaeti Breward and Bethan Roberts expected a few children to turn up…over 100 children came through the doors on that Thursday evening in early September and the legacy of the club began.

It quickly became clear to the founding coaches that there was demand for recreational gymnastics in the area and they added more sessions.

As with all sports clubs, COVID was a tricky time for the club. From over 300 members the club diminished to just a few and they lost a lot of their older gymnasts who would usually then graduate into coaching.

But, they fought though the PPE and cleaning products to come back stronger than ever and in early 2023 the directors decided to start looking for their own facility as with a waiting list that equated to their membership total, the club could not grow anymore whilst being based in the two high schools.

In September 2023, after a few months of negotiations and a lot of ground work the club finally got the keys to the new facility and the monumental task of turning it into a gymnastics facility began!

A year on and having met the aim of being in their new facility for their 10 year anniversary, the directors are delighted to run one of the biggest recreational gymnastics programmes in Wales.

With nearly 500 memberships, the club is at 94% capacity with its current programme and even has a waiting list for some sessions. They run a full programme of gymnastics from 0-adults and also offer birthday parties, corporate activities, university lectures and much more.

The future of the club is bright having just secured a £28,000 grant from Sport Wales to assist funding a trampoline programme which will also involve a Rebound Therapy programme ran with Betsi Cadwalder Health Board.

It is thanks to the Sport Wales funding and a donor who would like to remain anonymous who is funding the cost of the hoist for the Rebound Therapy programme that Delyn can look forward to developing this side of their club in the next few months.

Delyn Gymnastics has always been a special club. For the founders, it has been a constant when their lives and careers have changed and developed over the years and it is testament to the club that many of the gymnasts, leaders and coaches who walked through the door on that first Thursday afternoon are still with the club today.

Delyn Gymnastics are very much looking to the future and are delighted to welcome two new directors to help Jen, Bethan and Kaeti in driving the club forward and maintaining the success they have had for the past 10 years.

Welcome Jessica and Emma who both go above and beyond in their roles already and have fitted right in on the board of directors.

Here are some quotes from former directors, parents and coaches about what Delyn means to them:

“The Delyn team turned me, a gymnastics newbie into a coach! With their support and guidance I was able to learn the sport and coach it to all those amazing kids. Seeing the children progress week by week was amazing. What a buzz when they learnt a new skill!”
Alison, former coach and COVID legend!
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“Alys was 9 years old when she joined Delyn and from the first session she has loved being part of #TeamGreen. Alys was very keen to become a young leader when she started high school and she loved every minute helping in the sessions. It has been so lovely to see her confidence and leadership skills grow over the years and for Delyn to recognise her commitment to the club and to develop her into a gymnastics coach which she finds so rewarding.”
Sam D-A, Delyn parent and supporter.

“At first Delyn was just an afterschool activity, and as Jen quickly found out, it was definitely not a sport for someone as clumsy as me!! With endless support and encouragement, my confidence quickly grew. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with so many incredible people, it is the reason I am the person I am today. Its opportunities taught me resilience, understanding, the importance of self love and so much more. So to me, Delyn has been, and always will be a family home.”
Roni. Gymnast, leader, coach and so much more to the club too.

“What an amazing club Delyn is. I absolutely loved being part of team green. Loved working alongside the best group of women that had oodles of experience and knowledge. The club for me is a big family, encouraging and engaging all levels.”
Kelly Rossington, former Director.

“Delyn was my life from the age of 15!! From being a gymnast to a leader to a coach and then a director, it was a massive part of my life growing up. I have been given lots of amazing opportunities. You beautiful ladies all developed my confidence and if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thank you.”
Britt Foster, the reason Delyn was founded

“I found Delyn when I really needed it most and Delyn found me when it needed the support equally; when Bethan went on maternity leave and they were looking to launch the Holywell sessions. Delyn was the place I was blessed to meet so many friends and inspiring ladies and share in the privilege of guiding, coaching and empowering young individuals to reach their goals. I loved my time at Delyn gymnastics with my daughter, Poppy. Happy 10 years team green, you are all super stars!”
Sonia O’Hara, former director and Delyn’s biggest cheerleader!