A successful Rural Travel Fund grant from the FNDC, has allowed the Kaitaia Gymnastic Club to subsidise travel costs for their competitive gymnasts to attend events in the Northland region.  The $25,000 Rural travel fund is supplemented by Sport Northland’s allocation of $25,000 from the KiwiSport regional participation fund targeting barriers for participating youth.

“The rural travel fund is there to reduce the barrier of travel for young people to participate in sport,” explains Sport Northland Community Advisor Lesley Wallace who advises the Te Hiku Community Board on applications, “in some cases accessing competition opportunities is also vital  to a young person continuing on a pathway in their chosen sport.”

The club has 55 competitive gymnasts across a range of levels who attend various competitions at venues from Whangarei to Auckland. Working with the club has meant strengthening a membership base to support activities and developing the support structures behind those wanting to be involved in gymnastics.

Recently the club has tasted success with the selection of Elleanor Kelly into the NZ Tumbling squad which competed at the Australian nationals in May 2016.

Photo: Elleanor proudly showing off her NZ uniform.