What gymnastic disciplines does Olympia offer?

Olympia is the only club in Christchurch offering all four competitive codes: Women's Artistic (WAG), Men's Artistic (MAG), Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG), and Trampoline (TRA), alongside extensive recreational programmes.

Are there programmes available for beginners and pre-schoolers?

Yes, Olympia runs dedicated Pre-School classes for toddlers and young children, as well as a 10-level General Recreation pathway open to beginners aged 5 and over.

What should children wear to their gymnastics classes?

Participants should wear comfortable, stretchy athletic clothing without zips, buckles, or loose jewellery. Long hair should be tied back, and classes are typically done in bare feet or socks depending on the apparatus.

What is the Move Ability programme?

Move Ability is an inclusive programme designed specifically for Christchurch tamariki with physical or mental impairments, focusing on fun, movement, and social development in a supportive environment.

Can I enrol my child mid-term or attend casually?

Casual classes are available for those wanting flexible attendance without committing to a full term, while standard recreational and competitive classes operate on a term enrolment basis.

Olympia

cafe — Merivale · Christchurch

About Olympia

Olympia Gymnastic Sports is a premier, community-focused gymnastics club based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Formed in 2003 through the amalgamation of three local Canterbury clubs—Avon City Gymnastics, Kudos Rhythmic Academy, and Aerials Trampoline—Olympia brings together extensive coaching expertise across four primary disciplines under one roof: Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG), Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG), Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG), and Trampolining (TRA).

Affiliated with Gymnastics New Zealand, the club delivers structured movement, recreation, and competitive pathways for participants of all ages and stages, from pre-schoolers developing fundamental motor skills to elite athletes competing on the world stage. Alongside formal term-based recreation levels and competitive squads, Olympia provides inclusive programmes like Move Ability for tamariki with physical or mental impairments, flexible casual classes, school group bookings, holiday programmes, and active birthday parties. Olympia is dedicated to enriching lives through gymnastics in a safe, positive, and encouraging environment.

Olympia Gymnastic Sports: Empowering Movement and Excellence in Christchurch

Olympia Gymnastic Sports stands as one of Christchurch’s cornerstone sporting institutions, dedicated to nurturing movement, athletic coordination, and confidence in athletes of all ages. Formed in 2003 through the merger of Avon City Gymnastics, Kudos Rhythmic Academy, and Aerials Trampoline, the organisation united decades of specialist coaching heritage under a single banner. Today, Olympia is distinguished as the only gymnastics club in Christchurch providing competitive training pathways across all four premier gymnastic codes: Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG), Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG), Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG), and Trampoline Gymnastics (TRA).

Whether introducing toddlers to early balance and coordination or training athletes for national and international competition, the club maintains an inclusive, community-first ethos. The club is affiliated with Gymnastics New Zealand, aligning its coaching methodology with national standards while focusing on safety, technique, and positive personal development.

Comprehensive Programmes for Every Stage

Olympia’s offerings span recreation, skill development, and competitive performance. For young families, Pre-School classes offer early-stage movement literacy that boosts physical confidence and motor control. School-aged children can enter the General Recreation stream, a 10-level development programme that systematically builds strength, balance, flexibility, and technique across traditional apparatus like the vault, beam, bars, and sprung floor.

In addition to general recreation, Olympia caters to specific disciplines. Boys Recreation hones strength and coordination on men's apparatus, while Rhythmic Recreation introduces the musicality, dance, and hand-eye coordination required for ribbon, rope, ball, and hoop routines. For enthusiastic bouncers aged six and older, Trampoline Recreation instils foundational bounce mechanics, aerial awareness, and safe landings. Programmes like Move Ability ensure that gymnastics remains accessible to everyone, offering adapted, supportive coaching for children with physical or cognitive challenges.

From Grassroots to High Performance

For athletes demonstrating strong dedication and capability, Olympia provides comprehensive competitive streams. The club’s squads regularly contest regional, elementary, and national championships, having developed gymnasts who represent the region and country at events as high as the Trampoline World Championships. Structured assessment days provide clear entry points into competitive artistic and rhythmic squads, ensuring athletes are placed into environments suited to their long-term athletic development.

Beyond term-time enrolment, the club remains a hive of activity year-round. Holiday programmes keep tamariki active between school terms, casual classes provide casual access without full-term commitment, and private birthday party bookings give kids free rein across foam pits, trampolines, and obstacle courses under trained supervision.

Signature items

Four Competitive Codes
10-Level Recreation Programme
Move Ability
Trampoline Skills
Rhythmic Apparatus
Pre-School Movement

Pre-School Classes — Fundamental movement classes designed for pre-school aged children to build body awareness and coordination.
General Recreation — Foundational movement and skill progression for ages 5+ across beam, bars, floor, vault, and strength conditioning.
Boys Recreation — Boys-only gymnastics classes concentrating on foundational skills, traditional apparatus, coordination, and strength.
Rhythmic Recreation — Recreational rhythmic gymnastics developing apparatus handling with ropes, ribbons, balls, and hoops alongside dance elements.
Trampoline Recreation — Bouncing classes for ages 6+ focusing on aerial rotation awareness and proper bounce and landing mechanics.
Casual Classes — Flexible pay-as-you-go sessions for trying out gymnastics or fitting extra movement into a busy schedule.
Move Ability — Supportive, social gymnastics sessions tailored for Christchurch tamariki with physical or mental impairments.
Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) — Competitive artistic gymnastics pathway covering balance beam, uneven bars, vault, and floor exercises.
Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) — Competitive men's artistic gymnastics pathway covering apparatus including floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar.
Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG) — Competitive rhythmic gymnastics pathway integrating dance, flexibility, and hand apparatus routines.
Trampoline Gymnastics (TRA) — Competitive trampolining pathway covering individual trampoline, synchronised trampoline, and related disciplines.
Holiday Programme — Active day programmes packed with gymnastics activities and movement during school holiday breaks.
Birthday Parties — Action-packed party bookings hosted in the gym with supervised access to equipment and circuits.
School Groups — Tailored group gymnastics and movement development sessions for visiting schools.

Frequently asked questions

What gymnastic disciplines does Olympia offer?: Olympia is the only club in Christchurch offering all four competitive codes: Women's Artistic (WAG), Men's Artistic (MAG), Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG), and Trampoline (TRA), alongside extensive recreational programmes.
Are there programmes available for beginners and pre-schoolers?: Yes, Olympia runs dedicated Pre-School classes for toddlers and young children, as well as a 10-level General Recreation pathway open to beginners aged 5 and over.
What should children wear to their gymnastics classes?: Participants should wear comfortable, stretchy athletic clothing without zips, buckles, or loose jewellery. Long hair should be tied back, and classes are typically done in bare feet or socks depending on the apparatus.
What is the Move Ability programme?: Move Ability is an inclusive programme designed specifically for Christchurch tamariki with physical or mental impairments, focusing on fun, movement, and social development in a supportive environment.
Can I enrol my child mid-term or attend casually?: Casual classes are available for those wanting flexible attendance without committing to a full term, while standard recreational and competitive classes operate on a term enrolment basis.

Tips

{"body":"Term enrolments feature priority booking for existing members followed by public openings; check term dates early to secure preferred class times.","title":"Enrolment Windows"}
{"body":"If your child is unsure about committing to a full term, casual sessions are a great way to try gymnastics equipment and coaching.","title":"Try Casual Classes First"}
{"body":"Beginner trampolinists and boys entering recreation are encouraged to complete foundational movement classes to master essential body control.","title":"Moveskills Pathway"}

Good to know

{"family":"Programmes available for all ages from pre-schoolers to competitive youth and adults."}