About Us
Swallows of Helston is a gymnastic club in Cornwall with approximately 350 members, ranging from around 3 years old to adults. A broad range of classes are run weekly, incorporating all ages, at recreational, display and competitive levels. The club operates a full school Key Step support coaching programme at local primary schools, with a number of schools choosing to attend the club for gym sessions.
Our all embracing ‘mission statement’ is:
“Swallows of Helston is a thriving gymnastics club offering unparalleled opportunities to local people to participate in and enjoy gymnastics.
“Swallows is dedicated to making gymnastics a fun and rewarding experience for all gymnasts of all ages, genders and abilities, including those currently under-represented in sport and physical activity.”
We aim to provide the best possible training and competitive opportunities for gymnasts at every level of ability. We up hold high standards and expectations which challenge each gymnast to strive for their own excellence, reaching his or her full potential in a safe and caring environment. We aim to inspire our members to remain involved in sport, adopt a healthy living lifestyle, and to be dynamic contributors to their own community.
____________________________________________________________________________
In 1972 the new Helston/Kerrier youth centre, based at Helston comprehensive school, appointed its first qualified full-time youth community officer in the shape of Roland Holton, an ex C.P.O in the Royal Navy.
It was a go-ahead club with members participating in many sports. After seeing Olga Korbut in the Olympic Games a group of teenagers asked if they could do gymnastics during the summer holidays. Mats and a vaulting box were borrowed and gymnastics in the sunshine on the school playing fields began. The interest soon increased with classes taking place in the evening. The growth lead Roland and his wife, Muriel, to North Devon to complete their first course to gain the necessary coaching skills. Once they had achieved this the girls then started to look for competitions within the County. In 1976 the “Swallows of Helston” name was chosen, along with the club colours of purple and white.
In order for the club to move forward more equipment was needed. Parents came forward to help with the fund raising, whilst others became coaches. With everyone volunteering all the money was spent on equipment. We were lucky to get our first 12 metre square mat through a Sports Council loan, before getting our sprung floor for competitions through fund raising and sponsorship in 1990.
In 1991 with the introduction of costs for hiring school facilities it was felt that the club needed to have a permanent home. Having found our current premises, on the Water-Ma-Trout Industrial Estate, Roland took on a three year lease. Rent and running costs required an expansion of the programme, and the popular Mums and Tots groups were started, whilst the Recreational Gymnastics took off with a vengeance. The club was able to expand its competitive aspect and now included the Boys section.
Our strong band of both paid and volunteer coaches and dedicated parents have been instrumental in making Swallows of Helston the great club it is today!
You can view the ‘Club Constitution‘ by clicking the link, and also the ‘Articles of Association‘ and our complaints procedure.
Click here to read our Club Code of Conduct for coaches, gymnasts and parents.
