The newly opened Plett Gymnastics Centre, located below Cranzgots on the dolphin circle, offers enthusiastic young gymnasts the opportunity of attaining Olympic status – SUE VAN DER GAAST reports
WHEN Mary-Grace and Vic Fitzmaurice relocated to Plettenberg Bay in November last year, they had to leave their daughter Danica’s beloved gymnastics coach behind in Pretoria.
Says Mary-Grace: “Coach Shirley Frost managed to take Danica and within two months, enabled her to achieve Gauteng North colours. After the Gauteng championships, she was selected to compete at the National North Zone champs where she obtained an SAGF bronze medal.”
Realising that young Danica’s dream to become an Olympic gymnast had now been put on hold, the determined couple and coach embarked on a mission to open a top-class gymnastics centre in Plett. To further this cause, they did an extensive survey and realised the huge need and enthusiasm for gymnastics in Plett.
Sharing in their passion, Mike Brown from Selectria sealed the deal by offering the Fitzmaurices a highly negotiable rental opportunity. Attie from Robberg Ready Mix offered to sponsor the gymnastics signboard to show his support for in community effort. The centre’s doors opened on August 15.
Two weeks later, with only half their equipment on hand and no training for the preceding three months, Danica Fitzmaurice and Micayla Frost obtained their SWD colours.
Shirley Frost started gymnastics at 13 years of age and as her passion for the sport grew, so did her qualifications. A peek into her brimming cupboard of trophies and medals – from national Elite Coach of the Year to Olympic Coach of the Year – bears testament to her love for the sport.
Currently rated the number five judge in SA and one of only two coaches in the country with brevet (international judge) status, Level 3 FIG (Federation of International Gymnastics) and Level 5 SAGF (SA Gym Federation) qualifications, Shirley has performed, coached and judged the world over – fulfilling not only her dream, but that of many a young gymnast reaching international standards.
“The aim,” says Shirley, “is for Plett Gymnastics Centre to become the top centre in the Western Cape, and to raise the standard of gymnastics to such an extent that our gymnasts will eventually represent our country at international level.”
Furthermore, plans are afoot to coach and develop less fortunate local kids. “Some highly talented children from The Crags Primary have already been tested and pre-selected, giving them the opportunity to develop into top gymnasts. Other schools will also be approached in the near future,” says Shirley.
With this highly qualified gymnast, judge and coach in our midst, backed by the administrative skills of Mary-Grace Fitzmaurice, there is no reason for Plett Gymnastics Centre not to churn out the calibre of gymnast that can contend on an Olympic level.
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