What age can children start gymnastics classes?

Preschool gymnastics classes begin from 18 months old, introducing basic movement, balance, and coordination.

Do you offer programmes during school holidays?

Yes, the club runs an OSCAR-approved Sports Holiday Programme for ages 5 to 13 during every term holiday and for four weeks over the Christmas break.

Are subsidies available for holiday and childcare programmes?

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

Can we book birthday parties at the gym?

Yes, the facility is available for private weekend birthday parties and structured playtime on Saturdays and Sundays.

How does class enrolment work?

Enrolments are completed online on a term-by-term basis. Gymnasts must be re-enrolled prior to the start of each new term.

Does the club cater to competitive gymnasts?

Yes, the club provides competitive training programmes in Men's and Women's Artistic Gymnastics, Tumbling Squad, and Teamgym.

Are there sessions for children with disabilities or special sensory needs?

Yes, disability sessions are provided, including dedicated Saturday afternoon sessions for autistic tamariki in partnership with Whanganui Unique.

Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club

gym — Ongarue · Ongarue

About Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club

Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club is a longstanding non-profit charitable organisation dedicated to fostering fun, fitness, and foundational movement skills across all ages and abilities. Operating continuously since 1957, the club provides an encouraging and well-structured environment where young gymnasts can develop coordination, discipline, and athletic confidence under qualified coaching.

From early childhood movement classes starting at 18 months through to competitive artistic gymnastics, tumbling squads, and performance-based Teamgym, the club offers pathways for both casual participation and serious athletic pursuit. In addition to regular term classes, the club hosts school holiday programmes, before- and after-school care, weekend birthday parties, and tailored disability sessions supporting local tamariki in the wider region.

Building Confidence Through Movement: Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club

Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club stands as one of the region's most enduring and respected sporting institutions. Established in 1957 by police constable Jim Bowley to foster physical health and active discipline under the guiding motto 'Healthy body - Healthy mind', the club has grown from modest community beginnings into an established centre of excellence for athletic movement and gymnastics development.

Affiliated with Gymnastics New Zealand and supported by Sport Whanganui, the club balances high-performance competitive standards with an open, community-first ethos. The club's focus centres on quality movement education, delivering structured progression pathways whether a child is taking their first tumbling steps or training for regional and national artistic competitions.

Comprehensive Gymnastics for Every Stage

The club's curriculum spans every stage of youth development. For the youngest participants, early childhood sessions welcome toddlers from 18 months to explore motor coordination, spatial balance, and body awareness in a safe, fully padded environment. As gymnasts grow, recreational programmes introduce foundational skills across vault, beam, floor, and bars, building functional strength and flexibility without the immediate pressure of competition.

For gymnasts who seek performance and competition, the club offers dedicated Men's and Women's Artistic Competitive pathways alongside specialised tumbling squads. Whanganui Boys & Girls Gym Club also holds a unique place in New Zealand gymnastics history through its introduction of Teamgym—a dynamic European team format combining synchronized floor work, mini-tramp routines, and fast tumbling passes. The club regularly hosts regional Teamgym events and welcomes coaching exchanges with the renowned Ollerup Academy in Denmark.

Community Programmes and All-Weather Facilities

Beyond formal gymnastics classes, the club serves as a vital community hub for busy families. It provides OSCAR-approved Before and After School care featuring breakfast, afternoon tea, and transport coordination, alongside sports-oriented holiday programmes running across every term break for children aged 5 to 13.

Inclusivity remains central to the club's everyday operations, offering specialised sessions for community kura, Kohanga Reo groups, and sensory-friendly weekend classes designed for autistic tamariki in partnership with Whanganui Unique. On weekends, the expansive gymnasium transforms into a popular, weather-proof venue for children's birthday parties and open play sessions. With dedicated coaching staff and on-site group accommodation facilities, the club continues its generational mission of delivering fun, fitness, and fundamentals to every participant.

Signature items

Teamgym Display
Recreational Gymnastics
OSCAR Holiday Programme
Gymnastics Birthday Parties
Pre School Gymnastics

Before and After School Care (BAS) — Term-time morning and afternoon care including breakfast/afternoon tea, activities, and school runs.
Holiday Programme — OSCAR-approved sports holiday programme running each school break and summer holidays for ages 5-13.
Disability & Sensory Sessions — Inclusive adaptive gymnastics sessions including Saturday tamariki sessions delivered with Whanganui Unique.
Birthday Parties & Play Time — Weekend venue hire with gymnastics floor time and activities for children's celebrations.

Recreational & Early Childhood

Pre School Gymnastics — Early motor skill development and fun movement classes starting from 18 months old.
Recreational Gymnastics — Fundamental gymnastics skill sessions catering to school-age children of all abilities.
Teamgym Class — Recreational team display combining tumbling, mini tramp, vaulting, and floor routines for ages 10+.

Specialised & Competitive Squads

Women's Artistic Competitive (WAG) — Competitive training programme focused on apparatus disciplines and regional competition.
Men's Artistic Competitive (MAG) — Structured competitive training on men's apparatus disciplines.
Tumbling Squad — Targeted acrobatic and tumbling training squad for advancing gymnastic power and control.
Aerobic Gymnastics — High-energy gymnastics routines combining movement, strength, and rhythmic elements.

Frequently asked questions

What age can children start gymnastics classes?: Preschool gymnastics classes begin from 18 months old, introducing basic movement, balance, and coordination.
Do you offer programmes during school holidays?: Yes, the club runs an OSCAR-approved Sports Holiday Programme for ages 5 to 13 during every term holiday and for four weeks over the Christmas break.
Are subsidies available for holiday and childcare programmes?: Yes, the holiday programmes are OSCAR-approved and eligible for WINZ subsidies.
Can we book birthday parties at the gym?: Yes, the facility is available for private weekend birthday parties and structured playtime on Saturdays and Sundays.
How does class enrolment work?: Enrolments are completed online on a term-by-term basis. Gymnasts must be re-enrolled prior to the start of each new term.
Does the club cater to competitive gymnasts?: Yes, the club provides competitive training programmes in Men's and Women's Artistic Gymnastics, Tumbling Squad, and Teamgym.
Are there sessions for children with disabilities or special sensory needs?: Yes, disability sessions are provided, including dedicated Saturday afternoon sessions for autistic tamariki in partnership with Whanganui Unique.

Tips

{"body":"Classes require re-enrolment for every new term, and fees must be settled prior to the term starting to secure your spot.","title":"Re-enrol early each term"}
{"body":"If using Before and After School care, contact the office in advance to confirm whether pick-ups cover your school.","title":"Check school pickup eligibility"}
{"body":"Weekend party slots on Saturdays and Sundays fill quickly; book early to ensure your preferred time.","title":"Reserve party times well ahead"}

Good to know

{"family":"Welcomes toddlers from 18 months through teens; OSCAR holiday care available.","payments":"Accepts EFTPOS, online banking, and credit/debit card registration."}