17/12/2013 - Gala Thank You

Dear Organisers, Teachers, Coaches, Helpers and Parents

A THANK YOU AND WELL DONE

Every year Southampton Gymnastics starts building up for its annual gala many months before the event. There is always a mixture of excitement and enthusiasm and of course with a tinge of trepidation about the sheer amount of work ahead to put on a great show.

For the organisers there is the hundreds of people that have to be communicated with, all with different needs and requirements. The planning of guildhall booking and layout, information for teachers and schools and for over 40 different displays by the schools, Southampton Gymnastics classes and squads there is a huge amount of work to be completed.

The teachers within their already busy work schedule there is the bringing together of the children, passing information to parents, finding time to practice together with choreographing routines and all normally on small areas to practice on that you couldn’t normally swing a cat on let alone another gymnast in their gymnastics skills.

For every coach, they have the theme to follow, choreography of their displays, costumes to be designed and made, gymnastics to teach, helpers to be found and that’s time consuming enough but on top of that many have numerous different displays to put together.

Helpers are a key element to gala’s success, from those that design and sew the costumes, organise the raffles, donate prizes, load the vans with heavy equipment, backstage organisers etc. Without which the gala wouldn’t run.

For parents there is the commitment of bringing the children to practice, supporting their child’s involvement and giving up a shopping day so close the Christmas.
So, why do we do it?

FOR THE CHILDREN

So, was it worth it?

DEFINITELY YES

I was personally delighted to see each and every child in all the displays enjoy their performances. It was truly inspirational to see such a large number of children have the opportunity to display their abilities and talents but above all, have fun out there for themselves. It really did shine through to the audience. They will get a separate thank you.

YOU gave that opportunity for the children. Without all of your hard work, efforts, creativity and passion the Southampton Gymnastics Club and School’s Gala 2013 would not have been possible.

I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you involved, in what was a great show of gymnastics. THANK YOU AND WELL DONE