YMCA Victoria’s Gymnastics program has officially cemented itself as Victoria’s best, taking out the coveted Overall Club of the Year title at the 2024 Gymnastics Victoria Awards.
The Balwyn club, which runs out of Boroondara Sports Complex, also claimed Large Club of the Year (800+ members) after a bumper year that saw them host 5,900 classes and 100 birthday parties, attracting over 20,000 attendances.
With a strong focus on inclusion and accessibility, Balwyn has made waves in the community, running disability sports hubs, Blind Gymnastics ‘come and try’ sessions, school outreach programs, and events at local fetes, farmers markets, and libraries.
Program Coordinator Matthew Payne said the win was a huge moment for the club and a testament to its young, dedicated coaching team.
"We’ve got an incredible team who are passionate about making gymnastics fun and accessible for everyone. Many of our coaches have only recently gained their qualifications, and to see their workPayne said.
Balwyn Gymnastics Club wasn’t just recognised for its overall success—it also walked away with several individual and team awards, including:
- Outstanding Contribution to Performance Gymnastics – ‘Fusion FX’
- Outstanding Contribution to GymStar – Alicia West
- Levels Athlete of the Year (Aerobic Gymnastics) – Shuzhong Wu
The wins reinforce the strength of YMCA Victoria’s gymnastics network, with Payne crediting greater collaboration across YMCA clubs—including Macleod and Moonee Valley, both finalists in multiple categories—for the club’s ongoing success.
These wins wouldn’t be possible without the shared efforts of programs like Macleod and Moonee Valley, who have helped lift the standard across the board and develop great programs. The collaboration between our clubs has been instrumental in creating a stronger, more unified approach to gymnastics in Victoria,"Payne said.
Nadine Kemp, GM of Recreation at YMCA Victoria, highlighted the importance of giving young people skills that go beyond gymnastics.
"At the Y, gymnastics is about building confidence, resilience, and teamwork. Clubs like Balwyn, Macleod, and Moonee Valley help young people develop future-ready skills they’ll use in sport, work, and life. Gymnastics lays the foundation for all sports, building balance, body awareness, and agility."
With the accolades now in hand, YMCA Victoria’s Balwyn Gymnastics is looking to the future, with big plans for 2025 to continue growing the sport and welcoming more young gymnasts through its doors.