Funding secured thanks to Sport England and English Gymnastics, through the Community Club Development Programme (CCDP), has enabled the Northamptonshire Trampoline Gymnastics Academy to build one of the best trampoline centres in Europe.

Opened at the beginning of December 2006 in front of 140 dignitaries and 600 guests, the new facility is now being considered as a major training location for the 2012 Olympics. The Academy received £445,000 from the CCDP to develop the £500,000 facility.

Sally Keeble MP attends the opening of the new facility

The Academy’s grant was used to build an extension onto the Benham Sports Arena at Moulton Park on the Kings Park site owned by Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs. The CCDP funding was earmarked to develop links between the country’s leading clubs and their local communities, providing quality coaching and a safe environment for people of all ages & abilities to enjoy the sport of trampoline gymnastics.

The CCDP assists governing bodies of sport to identify capital projects for investment. They then work in partnership with Sport England to ensure the projects are delivered. The aim is to increase participation in sport via club membership for all and to assist in creating a sustainable and financially viable sports club infrastructure in England. Northamptonshire Trampoline Gymnastics Academy was identified by English Gymnastics for investment due to the outstanding grassroots development of the sport of trampoline gymnastics in Northamptonshire.

The programme provides funding to support the development of community clubs around the country. Funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, it is an innovative collaboration between Government, Sport England and 19 National Governing Bodies. It provides funding, distributed via Sport England, to community clubs, identified as priorities by the governing bodies.

The total funding allocated to the programme is £100 million, with £60 million already invested in the period 2003-2006 (£20 million from the Government’s Capital Modernisation Fund and £40 million from the Spending Review 2002), which has now facilitated over 1000 projects nationwide. A further £40 million is to be allocated in 2006/7 and 2007/8.

Projects ranging from new indoor pitch provision, restoration of clubhouses, creation of new playing fields, and the installation of floodlights, to the modernisation of cycling tracks and new synthetic pitches, have been supported. Awards of between £5,000 and £950,000 were provided over the successful 2003-6 period.

The Northamptonshire Trampoline Gymnastics Academy, accredited by British Gymnastics and Sport England, is at the forefront of trampoline gymnastics development in this country. With over 800 members, the community-based club caters for all abilities and both sexes with members aged from two to 45. The Academy works in partnership with local schools and has satellite clubs based in four schools within Northamptonshire.

Housing 12 trampolines and a foam landing pit, the new centre provides easy access and a safe environment for children and people with disabilities as it will include three floor level trampolines and a sensory corner.

The recipient of the 2006 BBC East Midlands Community Sports Coach of the Year, Tracy Whittaker-Smith is a trainer at the Academy, she said, “The new trampoline facility is key to the development of trampoline gymnastics in Northamptonshire and we are committed to making sure that the Academy continues to provide access for the whole community as well as being a facility for those with a world class future in the sport.”

Tracey Whittaker Smith, East Midlands Community Coach of the Year, with Regional Sports Board Chair Len Jackson

She continued, “The demand for the sport has grown since the announcement of London 2012 Olympics and the new facility will ensure the Academy can cope with increasing participation levels.”

Anne Rippon, Interim Regional Director of Sport England East Midlands said, “This outstanding new facility provides a huge boost for trampolining and sport in the area, helping more people get involved in the sport and reach their potential. It is a great example of how the CCDP is helping revitalise community facilities and boost the clubs that are so vital to sport - now, in the run up to 2012 and beyond."

Northampton Trampoline Club was established in 1977. After various home venues in leisure centres and schools in Northampton, the club arrived at Benham Sports Arena with one trampoline and 20 members. Over the last 16 years, with a dedicated team of volunteers and a lot of hard work the Northamptonshire Trampoline Gymnastics Academy was formed and is now one of the fastest growing sports clubs in Northamptonshire. A premier club in the UK with a world class coaching team and membership that has produced success at National, European, World and Olympic level.

Notes

The Community Club Development Programme provides funding to support the development of community clubs around the country, from pitch improvements and new clubhouses, to floodlighting and equipment. Funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, it is an innovative collaboration between Government, Sport England and 19 National Governing Bodies. It provides funding, distributed via Sport England, to community clubs, identified as priorities by the governing bodies.

The total funding allocated to the programme is £100 million, with £60 million already invested in the period 2003-2006, and a further £40 million to be allocated in 2006/7 and 2007/8.

The Northamptonshire Trampoline Gymnastics Academy  is an accredited club by British Gymnastics and Sport England and is at the forefront of trampoline gymnastics development in this country.

The new trampoline centre is based at the Benham Sports Arena, Northampton. The Northamptonshire Trampoline Gymnastics Academy centre was built in partnership with the Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs, the land owners. The new centre will strengthen links between the Academy and the local community and will provide a safer environment, especially for people with disabilities as the centre will include 3 floor level trampolines and a sensory corner.