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Created: 30 August 2024

The next Simone Biles could come from Erewash – as the borough council backs a mission to find Olympic gymnasts of the future.

A brand-new training centre has opened in the area just weeks after the finale of the Paris Games – and as the paralympics now get underway in the French capital.

A grant given by the council to boost the local search is funding equipment, including a balance beam.

Biles, 27, was aiming for her fourth gold medal of the Games when she dramatically fell during her beam routine. But the American remains the world’s most decorated gymnast – with a total of 11 Olympic medals plus 30 World Championship ones.

Team GB could one day have someone to rival her thanks to the increasingly popular Erewash Valley Gymnastics Club, which is one of the largest in the East Midlands.

It boasts two training centres staffed by a dedicated team of coaches. One of the schools is in Ilkeston’s Hallam Fields Road. The other in Long Eaton has just been completely rebuilt following demolition of the building in New Tythe Street where it was based. The club, which caters for all abilities, has spent the past year using temporary facilities in Long Eaton, including the council-owned West Park Leisure Centre. Both of the club’s hubs feature classes for men, women and children, including toddlers. The emphasis is on locals having fun while keeping fit – but club manager Hannah Gibbs says the sky is the limit for the most talented.

Hannah is a former gymnast herself. She said: “As a charity and community club we strive to offer as many opportunities as possible to all our members, from recreational competitions and festivals to Ilkeston twinning experiences and international trips.

“Our men’s artistic have just returned from a training camp in Ireland, meeting Olympians and role models. Our Display team have recently returned from Norway where they took part in the European Gym for Life Challenge and Eurogym event. They returned with a silver medal.”

The club successfully applied to Erewash Borough Council for a £1,500 “Fast Funding” community grant. These are aimed at enterprises that benefit local people – with volunteer organisations especially welcome to submit bids.

The money is part of a government-funded initiative so does not come from council tax. Applying is easy. Simply visit Community Grants.

Erewash Valley Gymnastics Club, which has been existence for 50 years, needs £25,000 to fully kit out its new Long Eaton facility – and other sources of funding are being explored. The club’s website declares: “From beginners to experts, we help every gymnast reach their full potential.” Find out more at Erewash Valley Gymnastics Club (evgc.co.uk)

Erewash council’s Deputy Leader Becca Everett, who is Lead Member for Community Engagement, said:

“Everyone was gripped by the Paris Olympics – which saw success for Leeds gymnast Harry Hepworth in the vault and Cambridgeshire’s Jake Jarman in the men’s floor exercise. Both won bronze medals.

“It would be terrific for Team GB to include someone from the local area – and thanks to Erewash Valley Gymnastics Club we can keep our fingers crossed. Meanwhile I urge other organisations that benefit the community to consider applying for one of our Fast Funding Grants.”