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It’s been a flipping good year for Rimbey gymnastics

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Emily Steeves helps a young Rimbey gymnast across the balance beam.

Submitted by Rimbey Gymnastics Club

As the snow melts and the sun finally makes its appearance, Rimbey Gymnastics Club finds its long winter season drawing to a close. The club has had an extraordinary year, thanks to the support of its many participating families, coaching staff, board members, volunteers, financial supporters, and of course, its very, very talented gymnasts.

Under the guidance of the ever-dedicated and talented head coach, Brenda Krossa, the gymnastics club has really flourished. With more than 60 gymnasts ranging from age three and up, the club has served a huge cross-section of kids for more than 25 years. Working within the nationally recognized CanGym program, under the guidance of Alberta Gym Federation, Rimbey Gymnastics Club is truly the “little club that could.” The kids progress from badge level to badge level, and manage to compete very well across the province. It is surprising how a gym club that runs only a couple of hours two nights a week can bring home such a large share of the medal winnings at each and every competition they attend. Truly, it is a solid testament to the level of dedication and quality coaching put forward by our coaches, parents, athletes, and volunteers.

While the gym club is proud of its competition record, they are equally proud of their community spirit record. The club performs annually at the Parkland Manor and long-term care centre during National Gymnastics Week. Gymnasts in each badge level practice and perform a special routine for the residents and the performances are always anticipated and well-received by the smiling seniors.

The club athletes also choreographed routines and provided equipment for “Cirque de Rimbey” at the Rimbey Community Centre. The gymnasts were enthusiastically involved in creating and participating in an amazing show that helped Rimbey Elementary School to fundraise for new playground equipment. On the heels of the cirque performance, the club rallied to put on a year end show for family and friends. The afternoon was a hugely successful display of the many skills that the girls and boys have learned throughout the year.

At the end of May, the club will host a cheerleading clinic, with invitations to surrounding clubs and guest coaches who promise to challenge and inspire at the clinic. It will be a brilliant way for the club to put the finishing touch on a great year of learning and growth.

This year, with the knowledge that some of their equipment is more than 25 years old, the fundraising arm of the club doubled and re-doubled their efforts, so that they can replace ailing mats and aging apparatus. Parents responded with overwhelming support, and community businesses took their donations over the top.

“It was evident that the people of Rimbey and surrounding communities truly value the club itself in the way that they stepped up to support and donate during the fundraising campaign. Truly, it felt good to be noticed and have our efforts find fruition,” said club secretary Richelle Maser.

Thanks needs to go out for those who provided cash donations and silent auction items. The efforts and resounding support of so many people means that this club will have longevity and a future that our children will continue to benefit from down the road.