This article is from page 32 of the 2007-09-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 32 JPG
THE people of Shannon are being asked to support the local gymnastics club, in its search for a new home.
The club was formed five years ago and currently has more than 100 children on its books.
Since its formation, the club has en- joyed no shortage of success, both on local and national levels.
One of its members, Becky O’Donnnell recently travelled to Po- land with the Irish squad 1n the Euro- pean Cup, where she came 10th. She has also taken part in the national Community Games finals in Mosney over the past few years, where she
has won one gold, two bronze and two silver medals.
Becky, along with Grainne Hen- nessy, Dara Moan and Molly Night- ingale, have represented the club on the national squad.
Young boys and girls travel from all over the county, to take part in gymnastics at the club. The Shannon club is the only club in the region to specialise in tumbling, which attracts the interest of several young people.
However, despite its success, the club has no home and does not ben- efit from much funding.
The club avails of facilities at the local leisure centre, but would dearly love to have a base to call its own.
Becky’s mother Ita – who 1s a mem- ber of the club’s fundraising commit- tee – said local fundraising is essen- tial for the club’s existence.
“We don’t get any funding. We did get a sports grant six months ago, but we don’t get any national funding. A lot of other sports get funding but the gymnastics don’t. The parents have to organise the fundraising,’ said tee
She is hopeful that the people of the town will continue to support the club in its quest for a home that they can call their own.
“We are looking for a suitable premises but it is expensive. It 1s bril- liant for the children to have such an
activity. The people of Shannon have been great,” she said.
The club was formed by Elaine Ryan, whose work and dedication is crucial.
‘Elaine gives great dedication to the club. Six months ago when we had no equipment, Elaine used to take the children to Cavan, where there is a very good tumbling club. She did it in her own time,” said Ita.