Tumbling coach takes top honours at awards ceremony

Eagles Tumbling Club coach Kayleigh Young expressed joy after being named the club’s coach of the year at the end-of-year awards at the John Barrable Hall on November 3 and 4.

After years in the sport as a participant and a coach, Young said she was proud of this achievement, saying it was because of hard work.

“I started tumbling at 11. I have a passion for the sport and am proud and happy to have won this award,” Young said.

Young started coaching in 2019 as part of a local school’s programme and joined the Eagles in 2019, where she has formed an unbreakable bond with her students.

“I’m proud of my students’ hard work. It’s rewarding for me to see them achieve after all their hard work. I want to thank them for allowing me to coach them and make a difference in their lives,” said Young.

At the awards, the club honoured all its tumblers in various categories for their dedication and commitment throughout the year.

Owner Cindy McCall-Peat said their greatest achievement this year was getting invited to an international competition in Mauritius next year.

“Most of our children have qualified to attend this event. I’m extremely proud,” she said.

McCall-Peat said this was one of the club’s most fruitful years, which began with a successful open day in March and culminated in the national championships, where they won several medals.

“We began the year with our open day in March, where 672 children came to do the gladiators course. The club produced five level two judges. We competed in four competitions and qualified for the SA championships last month, where we won 88 medals,” said McCall-Peat.

She said tumbling was highly recommended by occupational therapists, saying, “Young people should be introduced to the idea of keeping fit by using fun-filled activities, which give them a solid foundation to embrace exercise and general well-being into their teens and beyond”.

She said the advantages of tumbling include gross motor development, self-confidence building and cross-lateral movement.

“Our main goal is for the children to have fun. It makes my heart happy because children who exercise are happy children,” she said.

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