Manly Warringah Gymnastic Club and Cerebral Palsy Alliance – Enablers for children with additional needs
The Manly Warringah Gymnastic Club has streamlined itself with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to launch its first gymnastics program for children who are differently able.
The Manly Warringah Gymnastic Club has been around for the past 30 years, contributing to the sport.
The not-for-profit organisation is open to children and adults with three different programs, catering to the differing age groups’ requirements (Kinder Gym, Junior Gym and Jnr Recreational). The advanced gymnastics lessons range from level one to level
10 training.
At Manly Warringah Gymnastic Club, the children’s and trainees’ physical development is treated with a warm and friendly approach. This undertone of fun and friendship is what indicates the club’s values of promoting happiness among the children.
Only fully accredited trainers are employed and given full control at the club. Trainers who are not fully accredited, work under the direct supervision of the accredited ones.
The same considerate approach is visible in their most recent effort for the children who have special or different abilities.
For this noble cause they took on board the help and expertise of Cerebral Palsy Alliance (formerly known as The Spastic Centre).
The Cerebral Palsy Alliance is also a not-for-profit organisation and has been working to alleviate the pains of adults and children with cerebral palsy since 1954.
The organisation’s inception itself is a human interest story, whereby 25 parents, whose own children were victims of cerebral palsy, came together to form the first organisation which addressed the issue as they did. The group was led by Audrie and Niel
McLeod.
Cerebral palsy encompasses non-progressive and non-contagious motor conditions. As implied by the term cerebral, the condition stems from an affected area of the brain which stalls development in any particular body part.
Restricted body movement has for years forced such children into spectatorship. With growing concern and awareness, their rights are being realised too.
Their abilities are different due to limitations but that does not make them ineligible for gymnastics altogether.
In fact, a little extra attention and special training can allow them to experience the sport just like any other person.
The classes designed as per Manly Warringah Gymnastic Club’s new program will have different kinds of challenging activities.
These activities will also have an element of enjoyment in them and are aimed at developing the children’s and adults’ strength, flexibility, sense of balance and physical coordination.
Individual attention to each trainee will ensure that every person is able to progress at their own rate, since everyone’s skill level is unique.
The professional gymnastics trainers recruited for the program have all undergone training from experts of disability recreation therapy.
Manly Warringah Gymnastic Club and Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s combined initiative is certainly laudable. Let us hope their actions lead to a ripple effect locally and globally.
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