HAZEL COATES VISITS FLAIRS AGAIN

Hazel Coates, Chairperson of the Technical Committee for Gymnastics and Movement for People with Disabilities (GMPD) for British Gymnastics, visited Flairs again on 24 February. Last year when Hazel visited Flairs, she sparked an interest in the attendees and our class for children with Downe Syndrome was established.

This year, all the parents of the current Flairs gymnasts spread the word and our hall was packed with parents, children, teachers and medical professionals who all work with or have children with Downe Syndrome. Hazel was an inspiration to all who attended the workshop and the children got involved in all the activities, some even learning to do a forward roll for the first time. The Flairs gymnasts also showed off some of the activities and routines they get up to in class.

We were also please to be joined by Charles, from KZN, who had travelled to Cape Town to work with Hazel on his competition routines, He was an inspiration to the parents at the course, who had read about him from the SAGF newsflashes and he stayed to train at our club, with some parents watching.

Flairs Gymnastics proudly made Hazel and honorary member of our family and we hope she will wear the Flairs Gymnastics t-shirt with pride!

We hope to see Hazel again soon and Flairs thanks the South African Gymnastics Federation for bringing Hazel out and giving us the opportunity to work with her once again, and being able to offer the course to our members and their friends for free.