PRESS RELEASE 19th August, 2005

GYMNASTICS SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

Christchurch School of Gymnastics is not sitting back and waiting for the industry to provide appropriate training for the staff that is desperately needed. In November 2004 they were part of an NZ Gymnastics industry submission to classify Gymnastics coaches as an occupational shortage to the Immigration department. Unfortunately this was unsuccessful.
After sourcing coaches from overseas for over 10 years, the forward thinking progressive club decided to expand their scholarship programme into developing their own coaches and administrators.
This week Charlotte Dolden, a year 13 student from St Margaret’s was advised that she was successful in applying for an academic scholarship 2006 to 2009. Charlotte is currently the club captain at CSG, and holds a beginning level coaching qualification and a national judging certificate.

The scholarship which is for study over 3 years enables Charlotte to continue to being involved in what she loves best – gymnastics.

Charlotte intends taking papers at Lincoln University in Sports Management whilst continuing her training as a senior gymnast at the club, she will assist with administration, and will coach a junior competition group under the watchful eye of Svetlana Sazonova, Canterbury Gymnastics Senior Team coach and staff member at CSG.
The Scholarship programme was started in 2002, and so far 3 members have benefited from the fund. Charlotte is the first to receive an academic award.

CSG currently employ coaches from Russia, Romania, USA, Canada and Great Britain.
Every gymnastics club in NZ that is a full time operation has overseas trained staff says Avril Enslow the club’s Executive officer; NZ just doesn’t have the infrastructure or culture to train coaches in such a specialised sport such as gymnastics. Currently there are about 9 full time positions unfilled nationally and we have 3 of those. CSG currently has 9 full time staff and approx 32 part times.
The club has over 144,000 visits a year and is the largest gymnastics club in the country running quality popular programmes. This term we were embarrassed to have nearly 200 hopefuls on our waiting lists for classes. The club is waiting for approval in the QE11 concept plan to begin extensions to accommodate more classes.

For further information and a photo opportunity please contact

Avril Enslow on
3886616, or 021 2505099.
Charlotte can be contacted at the gym every weekday between 4.30pm to 5.30pm
She also trains on Saturdays from 12.30pm to 4.30pm