News | 31/10/2024

Made in Huntingdonshire: Twisters Gymnastics Club

 

 

Twisters Gymnastics Club: From mobile classes to a thriving community hub
Twisters Gymnastics Club is based in Perry and offers a wide range of classes and activities for children and adults. From their home by Grafham Water they proudly cater for all gymnastic abilities, from general to specialist and competitive, with all members accessing Olympic-standard equipment and experienced, qualified coaches. Since 2019, the business has experienced rapid, organic growth, taken on the lease of its own premises enabling a switch in delivery of their classes from on-site to in-house, and retained a loyal membership base.

Founded by CEO Amy Day, the business now has 7 full-time staff and 20 coaches and volunteers, running over 50 classes weekly from the facility in Perry. This success is underpinned by Amy’s commitment to quality and a life-long passion for gymnastics, having competed at county, regional, and national levels. Her dedication to excellence can be seen in every aspect of the business, including the new on-site café.

 

Expansion and a new facility – accelerated by Covid, supported by the Economic Development team
Amy had already begun to consider leasing her own premises in late 2019. When Covid hit, the club adapted to the changing environment, offering lessons over Zoom and in a temporary marquee. With guidance from the Economic Development (ED) team, they took the leap to lease a permanent location. Amy describes the ED team's support as "integral" to the club's expansion, helping her overcome hesitations and visualise her ambition.

The pandemic brought challenges, but Amy’s instincts proved correct. By the end of their first year in the new facility, the club saw six-fold growth, confirming her belief that "if we build it, they will come!"

Amy’s contact with the ED team came via a referral from her accountant. Describing the support she received as “integral”, she was guided through the process and helped to see that not only were her ambitions achievable, but also that the business could become a great asset for the region. Amy describes how the support also helped shift her mindset.

“I had been looking on Rightmove, it was a good place to start, but there’s nothing better than talking to a real person. As soon as I got in touch with the ED team, they made an appointment to visit me and I was asked all the right questions: What does the business need? What are we trying to do? How can we support you? And I was introduced to a further network of people who could help me get things done. I gained confidence and the whole thing suddenly became more serious and no longer just an idea.”           

 

A new location, with new opportunities
Any worries about losing members as a result of the move from Huntingdon to Perry proved to be unfounded. In fact, for many parents, the new location offered many new benefits. The new beautiful rural location, with its spacious car park and proximity to Grafham Water, became a popular choice for parents, who could walk or exercise while their children trained. In 2023, the club further enhanced its offerings with an on-site café stocked with locally sourced snacks, providing a welcoming space for members and families to connect.

 

Community and member engagement
Twisters Gymnastics Club continues to attract members from across Huntingdonshire and beyond. Many are very local and live in Buckden, St Neots, Kimbolton, Huntingdon or Great Staughton, but some also travel from further afield including Biggleswade, Sandy and Peterborough. The club is committed to supporting local sports, sponsoring Buckden Juniors Football Club, and listening to its members to shape future growth plans.

Amy’s vision for the café, born from her own experience as a parent who attended many after school clubs with her children, was to provide a comfortable space where parents could relax while their children attended classes. This member-focused mindset ensures a high-quality experience for everyone involved with the club. Future plans not only orientate around a larger gym and more equipment but also include creating a fitness space for parents to use while their children are in classes, expanding the club’s community impact even further.

 

Career development and apprenticeships
Amy’s forward-thinking approach also extends to her staff. By tailoring roles to individual strengths, she fosters an environment where employees feel valued and engaged. This commitment to personal growth has seen long-term employees rise into managerial roles whilst rapidly fulfilling a demanding programme of CPD to give them nationally recognised qualifications. Amy believes in nurturing her staff’s passion, which in turn leads to higher job satisfaction and retention, as well as more niche sessions for our members.

Twisters is also preparing the next generation of coaches, with plans to offer apprenticeships for young members interested in pursuing a career in gymnastics coaching and/or gymnastics club management. Amy hopes to make coaching a serious career choice for these individuals, helping them develop their skills while keeping talent within the club.

 

Future plans
The ambition and drive that has led to the success of Twisters Gymnastics Club reflects the importance Amy has placed on adaptability, community support, and a relentless focus on quality. Armed with a number of ideas for future plans including a dance studio, fitness space and other bolt-on complementary activities, coupled with a strong existing infrastructure with few restrictions on expansion, the business is looking to the future with great optimism. 

 

Why Huntingdonshire?

“The location of Twisters Gymnastics Club in our rural setting in Huntingdonshire is a dream come true. Not many
 gymnastics clubs in the country can boast having their premises in such an idyllic location, close to major transport links. We well and truly feel ‘on the map’!”

- Amy Day, Twisters Gymnastics Club Founder and CEO

 

Interview with: Amy Day
Interview date: 3^rd July 2024

https://twistersgymnasticsclub.com/

 

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