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Kestrel Gymnastics Academy is a family run club, operating in Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent. We offer a variety classes, each one based on the ability and needs of each individual. Our coaches and staff deliver enthusiastic and effective mentoring, each of them bringing knowledge provide the best.
About Us
Grab interest
Compared to other clubs in the South East Region, Kestrel Gymnastics Academy is seemingly young. However, we have a rich history.
Gary and Tracey Crawford lived in Milton Keynes for 38 years. Their daughters trained at Milton Keynes gymnastics for 6 years, both Gary and Tracey were very involved at Milton Keynes gym. Tracey volunteered at all club events and Gary joined in with coaching, leading on to gaining coaching qualifications in Women’s Artistic and now in Men’s (as well as various other add on modules within gymnastics). Gary and his daughters were fortunate enough to have been mentored by some outstanding coaches some of which have coached the British team. So simply when the opportunity came up to teach gymnastics at Bodiam Manor School. They both jumped at the chance, they sold their family home of 16 years to buy the first pieces of equipment to set up Kestrel Gymnastics Academy in January 2009. With the help from Bodiam Manor School. At the beginning, the club had very little equipment starting with just over 40 gymnasts and volunteer coaches.
Generate excitement
Our small club grew, gaining more members every month and slowly we became more recognised by our community. In October 2009, we joined British Gymnastics, making us a recognised club within our sport’s governing body. This was a real milestone for the club. Sadly, in August 2010, Bodiam Manor School, the clubs first home, went into liquidation and the club then found its self with no venue, but this was not to stop us, we were more determined to make the club a success. We found a new venue at the Precious Hall in Northiam. During our time at Northiam, Kestrel held its first Club Display which was a huge success, our very talented gymnasts, and dancers performed in front of a huge crowd of supporters doing themselves and the club proud. The whole day had a real family feel to it, as a club, we pride ourselves on this.
The next step, before we found a permanent home
In June 2012 Kestrel entered its gymnasts into The Kent Floor & Vault Championships. This was the first ever competition for Kestrel all gymnasts and coaches were very nervous, but the day ended with a very pleasing result for the club and gymnasts. The club was thriving and due to this we out grew our Northiam venue, in August 2012 we moved to Tenterden Leisure Centre where the club spent several successful years leading up to our latest expansion to our own premises in Woodchurch, Kent. This move was one we could grow into, so we introduced lots of new classes, to cater for more members providing Trampolining. Our gymnasts were given more training hours and we are now producing high end level gymnasts that compete regularly at competitions, never failing to make us proud of their achievements.