Ages 4+
General Gymnastics
Bars, beam, vault, floor & trampoline. The core recreational discipline.
Our Core Programme
Recreational Gymnastics
Fun, fitness, and skills, at your own pace. Welcome to recreational gymnastics at BGC. No pressure competitions, just quality coaching, British Gymnastics badge progression, and a community that loves the sport.
New to BGC? Start with the general pack
This pack covers everything Recreational-specific. For how the club works as a whole (communication, car park, events, codes & policies, fees admin) read the BGC General Welcome Pack.
Discipline Head Coach
Welcome to Recreational
Recreational gymnastics at BGC is a fun-packed programme where gymnasts develop real skills across bars, beam, vault, floor, trampoline, and more.
Whether your child is joining General Gymnastics, Aerobics, Tumbling, or Trampolining, every session is built around enjoyment, progression, and belonging.
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Head of Recreational · view in staff directory →
Niamh Lavous
Niamh oversees the entire recreational programme; if you have a question about classes, progression, or which discipline is the right fit, she's your first point of contact. Email info@basingstokegym.co.uk.
Your class lead coach
Your gymnast's lead coach will be their primary contact for class-level questions. They will introduce themselves at the first session. To see the full team (including lead coaches by discipline) visit our Staff Directory.
Disciplines & progression
Class Pathway
Recreational gymnastics runs across four disciplines. Each follows the British Gymnastics badge award scheme; gymnasts progress at their own pace through clearly defined levels.
Ages 4+
Trampolining
Olympic sunken trampolines & foam pit. Bouncing technique and aerial skills.
Ages 4+
Tumbling
Fast track & tumble track, acrobatic floor. Power and precision passes.
Ages 4+
Rec Aerobics
High-energy floor, dance, and acrobatics. Strength, flexibility, and rhythm.
BG Badge Scheme
Progressive award levels, Foundation through to Development. Gymnasts move up as skills are achieved. Celebrated in Award Weeks each term.
Advanced / Pre-Squad pathway
By coach assessment, high-ability gymnasts may be invited to trial for competitive pathways. This is always led by the coaching team.
Class placement is at the coach's discretion based on age, ability, and class availability. Movement between levels is assessed each term; your coach will let you know when your gymnast is ready to progress.
The year ahead
Events & Celebrations
Recreational gymnastics is non-competitive by nature; but there's still plenty to look forward to. From badge celebrations every term to our flagship Club Festival in July, there are regular moments to mark progress and enjoy the community.
Every term
Award Weeks
Badge celebrations where gymnasts receive their British Gymnastics awards in front of families. A highlight of every term.
First weekend in July
Club Festival
In-house competition – open to all recreational gymnasts. Medals, certificates, professional photos, and Cartwheel Café. Entry £6.
Weekend in May
Recreational Display
Your chance to come into the gym and watch your gymnast shine, a mini in-class display where children show families the skills they've been working on.
Workshops – what to expect
We offer a variety of workshops throughout the year; badge sessions, skill and apparatus training. Full details and registration are on the club website.
What to bring, what to wear
Attire & Equipment
A few practical bits that make every session run smoothly.
What to wear
• Leotard – the preferred option for all sessions (any style with a back)
• Fitted shorts or leggings may be worn over a leotard
• Fitted t-shirt or sports top acceptable, tucked in, no restriction
• Hair tied securely, must not touch the floor in a handstand
• Nails kept short, safe spotting and apparatus
• No jewellery (earrings, rings, friendship bracelets)
• No backless or halterneck; a back is required for spotting
• No loose or baggy clothing; coaches cannot spot safely
What to bring
• Water bottle (no glass)
• Socks – required for trampoline & warm-up
• Extra hair grips and bands, always useful spares
• Gymnastics shoes or bare feet on floor & beam; socks on trampoline
• Small bag kept in the waiting area; no large bags in the gym
Attire rules are required by British Gymnastics for insurance cover to remain valid.
How we train together
Rules & Expectations
A safe, enjoyable session depends on small, consistent habits from everyone; gymnasts, families and coaches alike.
Attendance & arrival
Please arrive a few minutes before your session starts (not too early) so handover runs smoothly. If your gymnast will be absent, let the club know in advance so your coach can plan accordingly.
Regular attendance
Consistent attendance helps gymnasts progress through the badge scheme and build confidence. If extended absence is unavoidable, please keep us informed and your coach will note where to pick back up.
Behaviour in the gym
Gymnasts should listen to coaches, take turns, and respect the equipment and teammates. Phones are not permitted during sessions. Positive, encouraging energy from parents on the sideline makes a real difference.
Holidays & closures
Planned closure weeks are published on the club website calendar and Google Calendar. Please check dates before booking travel; classes do not run during closure weeks.
Welfare first
If anything is worrying your gymnast (physically, emotionally, or socially) please speak to your coach or our welfare team early. No concern is too small.
Who to contact, how to pay
Channels & Fees
For most questions, email or the front desk is the best starting point. Coaches are focused on delivering sessions; messages will always be answered promptly.
General enquiries
Class questions, progress, badge scheme, scheduling, and anything class-related.
info@basingstokegym.co.uk01256 352858
Head of Recreational
Discipline changes, pathway questions or anything you'd prefer to raise directly with the department head.
Niamh Lavousinfo@basingstokegym.co.uk
Welfare & concerns
Safeguarding, welfare or any concern you wish to raise confidentially.
welfare@basingstokegym.co.ukUrgent – same day
Time-sensitive matters (collection changes, late arrivals) during opening hours only.
01256 352858 (front desk)Fees & invoicing
Monthly direct debit
Recreational class fees are charged monthly through our online Direct Debit system. Direct Debits are sent at the start of each month. The first payment is a top-up payment for sessions remaining in the month you join.
If you need to leave a class or change sessions, please give as much notice as possible. Our Refund & Cancellation Policy applies.
Questions about fees?
For invoicing queries, contact our Members Services team: info@basingstokegym.co.uk
For complex queries, our Finance Manager is karen.holmes@basingstokegym.co.uk.
Your quick reference
Good to Know
A summary of the things that come up most often for new recreational families; keep this handy.
Every session
• Arrive a few minutes before, not too early
• Leotard or fitted sportswear, no jewellery
• Hair tied up and off the face
• Socks for trampoline; bare feet or gym shoes on floor
• Water bottle – no glass
Progression & badges
• Classes are non-competitive; progress is badge-based
• Placement and level changes are decided by your coach
• Badge awards are celebrated each term in Award Weeks
• If you have questions about progress, speak to your coach
Fees & payments
• Fees are charged monthly by direct debit
• First payment is a top-up for remaining sessions in your joining month
• Give as much notice as possible for any class changes
• Refund & Cancellation Policy applies to all bookings
Key contacts
• General: info@basingstokegym.co.uk
• Phone: 01256 352858
• Head of Rec: Niamh Lavous
• Welfare: welfare@basingstokegym.co.uk
• Finance: karen.holmes@basingstokegym.co.uk
Key policy documents
You've already agreed; this pack is just here to help
By booking your child into a recreational class through our online portal, you've agreed to the Parent Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
There's nothing to sign or return. This pack is here to help you settle in; if anything in our policies changes, we'll let you know.