Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club

About Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club

Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club is a non-profit charitable organisation established in 1957. Affiliated with Gymnastics New Zealand and supported by Sport Whanganui, the club provides gymnastics programmes for all ages and experience levels, ranging from toddlers starting out to competitive athletes.

Originally founded to engage youth in physical fitness under the philosophy 'Healthy body-Healthy mind', the club has grown into a regional centre of excellence. Programmes include preschool gymnastics, recreational streams, TeamGym, competitive artistic gymnastics, disability classes, and holiday care.

The facility also hosts children's weekend birthday parties and features a dedicated sports accommodation wing for visiting teams and groups. With a committed team of qualified coaches and community volunteers, the club focuses on building strength, confidence, and foundational movement skills in a supportive environment.

Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club: Nurturing Fun, Fitness, and Fundamentals

Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club has been a cornerstone of local youth sport and community recreation since its foundation in 1957. What began when a young police constable named Jim Bowley gathered local boys on the beach at Castlecliff has evolved into one of the region’s premier gymnastics training facilities. Guided by the enduring founding philosophy of 'Healthy body-Healthy mind', the club continues to inspire young people through movement, discipline, and positive encouragement.

Affiliated with Gymnastics New Zealand and governed with support from Sport Whanganui, the club operates as a registered non-profit charitable organisation. Its mission centers on creating quality opportunities for the entire community, offering structured pathways whether a child is stepping onto a mat for the very first time or training for national artistic competition.

Inclusive Pathways from Toddlers to Competitive Teams

The club's philosophy of 'Fun, Fitness and Fundamentals' shapes every aspect of its curriculum. For the youngest movers, preschool classes welcome toddlers from 18 months of age, introducing spatial awareness, balance, and coordination in a safe and playful setting. School-aged children can join recreational gymnastics classes, designed to build strength and agility without the pressures of elite competition.

For gymnasts who thrive in team environments, Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club holds a special place in the history of TeamGym in New Zealand. The club first introduced the European-style discipline to its members in 1992 and helped pioneer its expansion across the country in 2000. TeamGym blends tumbling, vaulting, mini-trampoline, and synchronized floor routines, emphasizing camaraderie and team performance. In addition, the club offers dedicated tumbling squads alongside competitive Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics programmes.

Inclusion remains a guiding value. The club runs adaptive sessions for individuals with disabilities and partners with Whanganui Unique to host dedicated Saturday afternoon gymnastics classes tailored for autistic tamariki.

Beyond the Gym Floor: Care, Parties, and Team Accommodation

Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club serves as a multi-functional community hub well beyond standard weekly classes. During the school term, the facility provides Before and After School care (BAS), complete with breakfast or afternoon tea, supervised activities, and school pick-up and drop-off transport. During school breaks, the club hosts an OSCAR-approved holiday programme eligible for WINZ subsidies, keeping children active with structured sports and play.

On weekends, the spacious gymnasium transforms into one of the area's top venues for children's birthday parties, providing children with room to jump, climb, and explore regardless of the weather. For visiting teams and sports organizations traveling to the region, the facility also features an attached sports accommodation wing, offering practical lodging directly adjacent to the gym floors.

Signature items

• TeamGym Performance Programme
• Pre School Gymnastics
• OSCAR Holiday Programme
• Weekend Birthday Party Bookings
• Specialised Autism Sessions

Menu

Care Programmes & Facility Hire

• Before and After School Programme (BAS) — Term-time weekday care featuring breakfast or afternoon tea, activities, and school pick-up/drop-off services.
• School Holiday Programme — OSCAR-approved holiday care operating across school breaks with sports and gym activities.
• Weekend Birthday Parties — Private gym play sessions and party venue bookings held on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Group Accommodation Wing — On-site accommodation wing attached to the main sports facility for visiting groups and sports teams.

Gymnastics & Movement Programmes

• Pre School Classes — Early movement and coordination sessions designed for toddlers from 18 months old.
• Recreational Gymnastics — Foundational gymnastics classes focusing on fun, fitness, and core movement skills for school-aged participants.
• TeamGym — Performance team gymnastics combining tumbling, vaulting, mini tramp, and choreographed floor displays for ages 10 and over.
• Tumbling Squad — Specialised squad programme dedicated to tumbling technique and skill development.
• Women's Artistic Competitive — Competitive artistic gymnastics training programme for female athletes.
• Men's Artistic Competitive — Competitive artistic gymnastics training programme for male athletes.
• Aerobic Gymnastics — High-energy movement programme incorporating aerobic and gymnastic elements.
• Incentive Awards Programme — Skills progression and achievement award programme for gymnasts.
• Autism-Friendly Gymnastics Sessions — Dedicated Saturday afternoon gymnastics sessions delivered in partnership with Whanganui Unique.
• Community, School & Kohanga Reo Sessions — Tailored gymnastics sessions organised for local schools, kura, community groups, and preschools.
• Disability Sessions — Adaptive gymnastics sessions accommodating participants of varying abilities.

Frequently asked questions

What age groups can participate in gymnastics classes?

Programmes start from preschool age (from 18 months old) through to school-aged recreational, youth, and competitive artistic squads.

Do children need to re-enrol each term?

Yes, members need to re-enrol their child for each new term, and all term fees must be paid prior to the start of the term.

What care programmes are available for school-aged children?

The club offers Before and After School care during term time, featuring breakfast or afternoon tea and school transport, as well as an OSCAR-approved school holiday programme.

Are government subsidies available for holiday programmes?

Yes, the holiday programmes are OSCAR approved and WINZ subsidies are available for eligible families.

Can the gym be booked for birthday parties?

Yes, birthday party time slots are available on Saturdays and Sundays for children's play and celebrations.

What payment methods are accepted for registrations and fees?

Payments can be made via credit or debit card during online registration, via online bank transfer, or using EFTPOS at the club reception.

Tips

• {"body":"Classes do not automatically roll over; remember to complete re-enrolment and fee payments prior to the start of each new term.","title":"Re-enrol Before Each Term"}
• {"body":"Weekend birthday party time slots on Saturdays and Sundays fill up quickly, so book well ahead to secure your preferred date.","title":"Reserve Party Slots Early"}
• {"body":"If applying for WINZ funding forms for the holiday programmes, contact the club office early to complete paperwork.","title":"Check OSCAR / WINZ Subsidies"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Offers preschool movement from 18 months, before/after school care, holiday programmes, and weekend birthday parties.","payments":"Accepts credit/debit card online, online banking, and EFTPOS at reception."}