VALLEYS Gymnastics Academy are back in the gym, continuing the fine work that helped them win a hat-trick of honours at the 2019 South Wales Argus Sports Awards.
Last year Shauna Morgan was named as disability sports performer of the year, coach Melissa Anderson was honoured for outstanding services to sport in Gwent and the quartet of Harry Mannay, Ethan Smith, Ethan Edwards and Tom Brooks won junior team of the year.
They collected their awards at an event at Chepstow Racecourse but the 2020 edition, which has been delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, will be held virtually on November 5.
Entries close on September 4 with the categories listed at https://newsquestevents.co.uk/sports-awards/
Valleys Gymnastics are sure to have a number of worthy contenders again after adapting their training during lockdown by running classes over Zoom for their members to keep them engaged and active from home.
Prior to lockdown, the club worked with nearly 3,000 children every week across Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Merthyr Tydfil and last week they reopened the doors to their Crumlin facility.
Managing director Anderson said: "It's been absolutely fantastic to be back in the gym. The kids were buzzing to be back and loved returning to the gym environment with their friends – it's given them some normality which is lovely to see.
"We're quite proactive as a club so when lockdown started, we furloughed some of our staff and moved all of our gymnastics online, running lots of different Zoom classes and other virtual activity.
"The feedback from the parents has been absolutely phenomenal and the whole experience has really made me see how important gymnastics is for the mental health and social connections of our members and their families.
"We reopened our main facility in Crumlin last week and have had a steady start to allow our coaches to get used to the new processes.
"We've been following the guidance supplied to us by British and Welsh Gymnastics through their Step Forward Plan and many other resources, which have been brilliant and so helpful. I think we've done absolutely everything we could have done to open in a safe way for our gymnasts."
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2020 South Wales Argus Sports Awards. Ring Cathy Parsons 07977 967777 for more information.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Sports Personality of the Year
Professional Sports Personality of the Year
Young Sports Personality of the Year
Grassroots Sports Personality of the Year
Disability Sports Performer of the Year
Outstanding Services to Sport in Gwent
Senior Team of the Year
Junior Team of the Year
Community Club of the Year
Coach of the Year
Junior Coach of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Newport County AFC Player of the Year
Dragons Player of the Year
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