My JUMP Journey

I often tell people I ‘work’ as a gymnastics coach or I ‘work’ for JUMP gymnastics club but its not really work. I have participated in the sport since the age of 7 and always looked up to coaches or older gymnasts and now I’m that person to some children which is a strange thought. Coaching kids gymnastics can be a lot more than just teaching them skills. It’s teaching them how to be patient, a good sportsman, a good team member and building their confidence.

One significant moment in my JUMP journey was being nominated for community coach of the year in the North Lanarkshire sports award for the classes I run in Airdrie. This  made me realise that people notice the hard work and time I put into these classes and gave me the boost I needed.

My JUMP journey began with me being both a gymnast and coach and only very recently have I stopped participating as a gymnast. I have never felt more part of something or welcomed from the very beginning.  It is hard to put into words how it feels to be part of something JUMP. Without sounding cheesy-  it is the most inclusive, family orientated and friendly atmosphere I have ever experienced. I have made so many good friendships (special shout out to Kels and Elise) at JUMP and I have so many special memories that I won’t ever forget.

A large part of my time at JUMP was spent as part of the display team which was pretty much my favourite thing about gymnastics ever. I helped coach the team but was always very much a team member too. As previously mentioned the display team performed at gymfests and in Disneyland. These were defiantly some of my  favourite memories from my time at JUMP (so far). There is something about performing with your best friends and team members that you just can’t replicate.

There is so much more I could say about JUMP and my experience but my journey continues...

 

Jump Gymnastics Clubs Success Stories

JUMP have had many successes in its 7 years including many nominations for a range of awards. Debi was nominated for community coach of the year by Sports Scotland in 2014. Which she won!! Watch her nomination video on YouTube below!

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Debi's community coach of the year video

This year at the North Lanarkshire Sports awards coach Rachael (myself) was nominated for community coach of the year for the classes running in Airdrie.

Debbie J was nominated for official of the year and the club as a whole was nominated for club of the year.

Coach Kelsea was also nominated for volunteer of the year in 2015.

Many gymnasts have had great achievements in the tumble discipline recently due to the specific tumble classes we offer. Hannah Johnston and Ethan Cunningham made it to the British NDP tumble finals, Hannah came 5th in her category and Ethan came 4th- an incredible achievement!

Emma Bonner competed in the most recent Scottish tumble championships and placed first in her category and later found out she was the highest scoring gymnast of the entire competition! What a fantastic achievement and we are all super proud of her!


Our senior display team visited Mickey Mouse in Disneyland Paris roughly this time last year to take part in the Gymnastique Magique Display competition. Many hours of preparation and practice took place in the year leading up to the trip. We have 4 group performances and each gymnast participated in either a solo, duo or trio routine in the competition. Lara Mayberry came away with third place in primary solo for her performance of 'Under the Sea' from the Little Mermaid.

here are some videos of our senior display team performing- these are not in Disneyland but they are some of the routines we took with us!
America routine
Scotland routine

These are just some of the great awards and medal winners we have had over the years- there have been many more.

My 5th and final blog post will be about my time with JUMP so keep your eyes open for it!

Developing Together

The JUMP Team
 

As we grew as a club many coaches joined us on our way. Some have come and gone but currently we have Debi, Laura, Karen, Debbie J and Lolly who have all been part of JUMP from its first years. Along the way Kelsea, Rachael, Vicky, Tamsin and Euan have joined the coaching team. Some of our coaches just started out as parents and others were gymnasts who then became coaches. We cant forget those who work behind the scenes, including the infamous GRANNY JUMP who works to ensure everything runs smoothly and handle all matters of admin. The fundraising team work to come up with ideas to raise money for new equipment- we are known to hang about outside Tesco in Cumbernauld and throw out a wee performance now and then with some buckets in front of us.
The JUMP team work together incredibly well and work tirelessly to provide the 100+ classes across seven days a week. We are a unique team and provide a unique service as a club.

 

JUMP Classes and Programme Development

Our gymnastics classes in Cumbernauld offer preschool, recreational classes, development classes and our most recent venture- tumble classes. Over the years JUMP has tried out many disciplines and offered opportunities for gymnasts to compete in Womens Artistic, Floor and Vault, Tumble, Team Gym, Acro and display.

The tumble classes has grown significantly in popularity with every child that walked through JUMPs doors wanting to FLIP! This involved yet another move and development to the club taking classes to the Tryst. 

Display team has also been successful as there is now four display teams running- Team Glitter, two junior display teams and Cheeky JUMPsters. The senior display team has performed all over the country and even in Paris- but that is for another day and another post. These classes have had great interest as it incorporates acro and dancing and tumbling all in one while you perform as a team.

 

 

 

Take a look at our website- Gymnastics classes in Cumbernauld