A Fife gymnastics team who wowed TV audiences is head over heels with its new home.
The Acrobay Gymnastics Trust now has a purpose built home in Rosyth which is kitted out with new equipment and apparatus, partly thanks to an award of £100,000 from Fife Council.
Councillor Mark Hood, who chairs Fife Sports Partnership, said: “We committed to support Acrobay in helping to develop gymnasts at various levels.
“It has taken time to find a suitable new home, having outgrown their original premises at Dalgety Bay Sports and Leisure Centre, but I think we can all agree that this is a state of the art facility to be proud of.
“I’d like to congratulate Acrobay on their fantastic efforts and am pleased to see them offering top quality coaching, from grass roots to performance gymnastics.”
Mr Hood said improving access to leisure activities was a top priority for the council and the kingdom’s sports clubs and groups were the backbone to delivering opportunities.
“It’s great to hear that Acrobay have significantly increased their membership already,” he said.
A team from Acrobay, Gymtasia Evolution, came to prominence in 2013 when they reached the final of Sky’s Got to Dance TV competition.
Local area committee vice chairman Mike Shirkie said he was pleased to welcome the squad to Rosyth, particularly as it brought two redundant Primrose Lane units back to life.
“I was really impressed with the enthusiasm of the coaches and the excellent demonstration given by the children.
“Credit goes to the whole team for their hard work and determination in getting this wonderful facility up and running.
“I see this as benefiting not only Rosyth but the whole of west Fife.”
Acrobay has also secured investment from sportscotland and the club has high hopes for the upcoming national championships now that the gymnasts can train in a tailor-made centre.
Head coach Suzanne Fraser said: ” It’s been our dream to have our own facility which would give our gymnasts the opportunity to reach their full potential and we really couldn’t have achieved anything of such high standard without the council’s generous help.
Acrobay, reigning Scottish team champions, specialise in acrobatic gymnastics, a competitive partner sport which combines acrobatics, dance and tumbling, set to music.
“Up until now however, we have been at a distinct disadvantage to other top performing clubs as we have had to make do in overcrowded, shared training facilities without the use of some of the basic equipment which other clubs take for granted, such as a sprung floor.
“Having more space, time and specialised equipment has already made a huge difference to the performances of the gymnasts and this is also being reflected in competition scores.”
