PARADIGM GYMNASTICS & THE MITCHELL'S PLAIN MEDALIST QUEENS
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Paradigm Sport Academy Level Three gymnasts, Lux Mc Gear, 11, left, and Aaleyah Pietersen, 11, won silver at Saturday’s Cape Town Gymnastics district trials, in Kuils River. Picture: Fuad Esack (The Plainsman)
"Overall, I am extremely proud of these kids showing off their hard work in the first competition (District trials), with most of them achieving gold medals".
"Coming out of Mitchells Plain, where drugs are a high risk, they showcased their talent in the second massive competition (Western Cape Championships) against 39 to 40 kids in their age groups, coming home with gold, silver and bronze medals"
Those were the sentiments of proud coaches Ruguiyah Petersen and Appies.
The club has not had the easiest of runs in helping young girls reach their fullest potential, with limited training facilities, short training sessions gymnasts still excelled. One of the major obstacles facing the club and many alike in the Cape Flats is that they do not have their own space or a good-stable sponsor. Coach Appies's
The vision for the club has always extended beyond just winning medals. Creating a safe space, keeping them off the streets, but more importantly, gymnastics is an important and fundamental element in the developments of your child's physical and mental skills. Not only is gymnastics a great sport for physical fitness and strength, it is an amazing sport to strengthen the mind too!
As far as facilities go, the coaches expressed their gratitude to the principal of Spine Road High School for providing the hall as a practice facility as well as Enrico, owner of Future Stars Gymnastics and Portlands Community Hall for their support.
If you're a parent exploring the options of having your daughter(s) join, Paradigm Gymnastics' program is designed to improve a variety of skills such as;
- Gross motor skills
- Concentration and Focus
- Cognitive abilities to help in the classroom
- Low muscle tone
- Balance
- Rhythm
- Goal setting
- Posture
- Flexibility
- Strength
- Spatial Relations
- Listening and Learning skills
The story of these young gymnasts and their achievements is a powerful reminder of the impact of community support and dedication.
Training normally takes place at Spine Road High on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 3pm to 6pm.
If you have or associated with a company interested in sponsoring a special community sports and develop and strengthen our female athletes, please feel free to reach out to the club. All corporate support will be greatly welcomed.
Call Ruquiyah Pietersen on 083 234 1954 for more information.
Picture credit: The Plainsman Newspaper and screen grabs, Paradigm Gymnastics
