Growing success: Region’s gymnastics studio raises bar

Between 11,000 and 14,000 kids enter the doors of the Toowoomba studio every week and now the business has lots of news to share.

Allstars gymnastics owner Vicki Flamsteed with (from left) Sophie Chester, Kylah Rees, Nelly Tudman, Evie Radke, Harper Pavey, Lucy Campling, Jade Taylor and Lilly Killgour, Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

After the growing success of a Toowoomba gymnastics studio, the business has teamed up with a leading national brand to encourage more children to step up to the beam.

Between 11,000 and 14,000 kids enter the doors of Allstars Gymnastics Academy every week.

Now the Toowoomba-based studio has partnered with national health and leisure company Belgravia Kids.

Allstars gymnastics owner Vicki Flamsteed with Lilly Killgour (back, left) and Sophie Chester (back, right) and (front, from left) Nelly Tudman, Harper Pavey and Lucy Campling, Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Allstars owner Vicki Flamsteed said the joint venture meant future opportunities to expand in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs were possible.

“Belgravia Kids has a strong vision to change the lives of one million kids over the next five to 10 years, in a positive way, through gymnastics and swimming,” she said.

“They have partnered with me in this business with the intention of opening further gymnastics facilities across Queensland.

“We do a lot of gymnastics here in Toowoomba, so the idea is to replicate that across the state.”

Allstars gymnastics owner Vicki Flamsteed with Sophie Chester (left) and Lilly Killgour, Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

But that’s not the only exciting news for the studio with Ms Flamsteed recently appointed as Belgravia Kids’ chief executive officer for Queensland too.

The Australian company is now set to open two new venues in the coming months in Richlands and Springfield.

And with the new projects in the pipeline, Ms Flamsteed said the exciting partnership would bring many benefits to the region.

“Partnering with a big company so focused on rolling out great sports for kids, will bring so many career and expansion opportunities to Toowoomba,” she said.

“If kids in a competitive program start to do gymnastics professionally and need to move, it means they have to find a new place to train, so having these sister venues makes that transition much easier.”

Allstars owner Vicki Flamsteed with (from left) Sophie Chester, Kylah Rees, Nelly Tudman, Evie Radke, Harper Pavey, Lucy Campling, Jade Taylor and Lilly Killgour, Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Harper Pavey, 9, has been training in gymnastics since she was just three-years-old.

Benefiting from her sport of choice in many ways, Harper said the centre was like her second home.

“I love gymnastics because I like achieving goals and being with my friends,” Harper said.

“Since I started doing gymnastics, I’ve shared very special moments with my gym sisters.”

Meanwhile Lucy Campling, 10, has been training for about six years.

“It’s a really cool sport because it teaches you to be brave,” she said.

“There are a lot of great coaches that push us to our limits.”

Both Harper and Lucy said they are working hard during their training sessions to qualify for the Brisbane Olympics in 2032, but they are aren’t short of confidence.

Allstars offers programs from bubs right through to seniors, with the oldest participant aged 94.

While the business is now part of Belgravia Kids, its name will remain the same for now at the Toowoomba studio. The centre is at 181 Bridge St.

Originally published as Growing success: Region’s gymnastics studio raises bar