50th Anniversary celebrations for Alive King's Lynn Gymnastics Club

Over 1,200 people saw amazing gymnastic routines at Lynnsport on Saturday 23rd November.

A King's Lynn club that was formed in 1974 saw two sell-out shows with performances from gymnasts as young as 18 months in the pre-school programmes up to the Senior Elite gymnasts who compete nationally. The shows included a fantastic routine by the club's coaches. 

The coaching team ranges from volunteers as young as 13 years old with some progressing into employment from 14 as they undertake their Gymnastics Helper awards, before they undertake their level 1 coaching award at 16, level 2 at 18 and the club has coaches at level 3 and 4 as well as a British Gymnastics High Performance coach. This combined with over 1,000 places taken on the programme as well as the ever-popular Tumble Tykes programmes, recent refurbishments of the gymnastics facility supported by the Borough Council and Kings Lynn Gymnastics Fundraising Committee means King's Lynn Gymnastics is in great shape for the next 50 years. 

Following on from the fantastic showcase of gymnastics displays a VIP evening was held to celebrate the 50^thAnniversary, where gymnasts and coaches, past and present came together to share memories.

Coaches from throughout the years shared their stories in a presentation of the club through the ages. Anne Wright who was one of the original founders of the club, alongside Doug and Janette Skipper who managed the boys club, to Caroline Twigden who was strategic in the running of the gymnastics programme for over 25 years, Jimmy Xu who is the current head coach, and PJ Eggleton the gymnastics performance development manager all spoke about the club’s fantastic achievements.

This event was sponsored by Eric’s Fish and Chips & Eric’s Pizza both located at Drove Orchards in Thornham.

Tommy Goode Head of Performance and Development said “I am extremely proud of our gymnasts and coaches for the amazing displays showcasing the quality of gymnasts we have at Lynnsport. 

"A huge thank you to the whole Alive team for an amazing day; we finished with a party to celebrate the 50 years with the founder of the club and those who have been part of it over the years. 

"It was fantastic to see what gymnastics and Lynnsport mean to so many people and we will endeavour to keep pushing the boundaries and gymnastics for years to come”.

If anyone is interested in joining the gymnastics programme please contact Lynnsport on 01553 818001 or community@alivewestnorfolk.co.uk