(Ruth Whitinui flying high at the MIGS gym.)
A Rotorua Trust grant is helping light up the whole range of vigorously growing activities at the Mid-Island Gym Sports (MIGS) facility.
MIGS received a $15,000 Trust grant, which helped them install new lighting and heating and undertake other urgent repairs for the rapidly growing venue based on TeNgae Road. This grant was in addition to $50,000 previously provided for heating.
As well as catering for top-level competitive gymnasts and trampolinists, MIGS offers an extensive range of programmes based on all aspects of healthy living and leadership.
The facility has grown so that today it has approximately 400 members and is climbing. It is able to accommodate events with up to 600 spectators, says Diana Brett, a MIGS management committee member and PR and media liaison person.
Diana says it is crucial to the gym that it has good lighting for trainings and competitions.
“We can have as many as 500 to 600 people coming here to watch competitions, so it is important for the gymnasts taking part and enables the spectators to clearly view activities and feel comfortable and warm in the environment.”
Given the size of the facility, a number of events can be underway at any one time. This is evident with senior competitive girls practising on a fast track or vault run at the same time as a school holiday group taking part in fun activities in another location.
MIGS numbers have continued rising as more and more parents realise the benefits their children can gain from participating in the kind of movement and coordination practised in gymnastics, trampolining and tumbling.
Coaching is a key element in this, and MIGS has recently secured the services of two professional coaches from Argentina, by way of the USA. Fabian Amor and wife CokiVerri have a combined gymnastics coaching experience of 45 years and plan to be permanent fixtures at MIGS. They have joined an established team of top coaching staff at MIGS, which includes head trampoline coach Lynette Farkash and head recreational coach Jo Squires.
“We want MIGS to be a pillar of sport in Rotorua – to provide not only coaching but also a healthy environment – gymnastics is one of the best foundation sports for all other sports,” Diana says.
Even though its gymnasts and trampolinists are already multiple prize-winners and medallists at both national and international events, MIGS plans to improve its comprehensive programmes this year, with greater oversight regarding all aspects of the further development of gym sports in the community.
For more information, contact
Diana Brett
MIGS – PR and Media Liaison
021-949-968