PLAY Gymnastics Launched in BC

February 14, 2012 at 1:50 pm | Posted in Clubs, News | 1 Comment
Tags: brand, cartwheels inc, club aviva gymnastics, Gymnastics BC, gymnastics class, participation sport, PLAY, Recreational Gymnastics

Gymnastics BC launched the PLAY Gymnastics brand yesterday at separate events at Club Aviva Gymnastics in Coquitlam and Cartwheels Inc. in Surrey. This new provincial brand highlights the importance of recreational gymnastics as the first activity for all children in British Columbia.

The tagline for PLAY Gymnastics: “Possibility Plays Here” reinforces the message that in gymnastics, what seems like a child just playing is actually a child developing the fundamentals of movement. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a Foundation Sport for all physical activity and sports, gymnastics is about how the body moves. Early participation in gymnastics develops critical skills such as balance, strength, flexibility, overall body awareness and social and mental abilities that carry over into all aspects of life.

“Putting your child into a gymnastics class is one the most important things a parent can do for that child,” said Moira Gookstetter, CEO of Gymnastics BC. “It doesn’t matter which sport or activity a child ultimately pursues, having that foundation developed from gymnastics will make them even better.”

With close to 41,000 members, gymnastics is the fourth largest participation sport in British Columbia, behind only soccer, hockey and athletics. Of that membership 83% are under the age of 12 and the majority of participants PLAY in recreational gymnastics. Only a small fraction will ever go on to competitive gymnastics.

Also introduced this weekend was Sammy – the new mascot for the brand. Sammy visited with children, took part in some gymnastics classes and bounced on the trampoline.

For more on Sammy’s adventures and PLAY Gymnastics, check out the Facebook page, Twitter feed and YouTube channel!