Olympic champion to help launch new sports club in Audenshaw

Children across Tameside will have the chance to try gymnastics and ninja when a new community sports club opens in Audenshaw next month.

Gymfinity Kids is launching its new Community Club in September, offering classes for children aged two to 14 and aiming to give youngsters a fun and inclusive introduction to sport.

The club, based at Audenshaw School on Hazel Street, will officially launch with an introductory opening weekend from Friday, September 18 to Sunday, September 20, 2026.

Olympic medallist and Commonwealth Games champion Beth Tweddle MBE, who is a director of Gymfinity Kids, will be involved in the launch and will also visit local schools ahead of the opening.

Tweddle will deliver special assemblies for pupils, sharing stories from her career in gymnastics and competing at the highest level before introducing children to gymnastics and ninja.

The initiative comes following the summer's sporting inspiration from the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with organisers hoping the excitement around elite sport will encourage more children to become active themselves.

In a press release, Beth Tweddle said:

“Major sporting events like the Commonwealth Games can be incredibly inspiring for children, but what’s really important is helping them turn that inspiration into getting active themselves.

“I know from my own experience how much sport can give you - not just physically, but in terms of confidence, friendships and discovering what you’re capable of. Gymnastics and ninja are fantastic ways for children to explore movement, learn new skills and, most importantly, have fun.

“There are tens of thousands of children across the UK who don’t have access to high-quality activity classes. Our aim is to give children an amazing first experience of being active while helping them grow in skill and self-belief.

“I’m really looking forward to visiting schools in the area, meeting the children and sharing some of my experiences, as well as launching the new Community Club in Audenshaw.”

The new club will offer gymnastics and ninja, with the latter incorporating elements of parkour and free running.

Classes have been designed by Tweddle and will focus on the core skills of each discipline. Each one-hour session will be delivered by trained coaches in an environment designed to welcome children of different abilities and experience levels.

The club is being delivered in partnership with Audenshaw School, bringing Gymfinity Kids' programme directly into the local community.

The organisation says the aim is not simply to introduce children to a new sport, but to help them develop confidence, resilience, and physical skills while creating healthy habits that can last into later life.

Paul Kirwin, CEO of Gymfinity Kids, said:

“The Commonwealth Games are a brilliant reminder of the power sport has to inspire people, and we want to help make sure that inspiration reaches children in their everyday lives.

“Our new Audenshaw Community Club in Greater Manchester will give children the opportunity to try something new, get active and discover different ways to move in a fun and supportive environment. Whether they discover a passion for gymnastics, ninja or simply develop greater confidence in being active, we want every child to feel that sport is for them.

“We’re incredibly excited to be opening in Audenshaw and to be expanding our Community Club network across the Northwest.”

The Audenshaw opening will take Gymfinity Kids' network in the Northwest to 14 Community Clubs, as the organisation continues its push to make gymnastics and ninja coaching more accessible to families in their local communities.

The company also operates 11 purpose-built flagship clubs around the country, offering specialist equipment and opportunities for children to progress beyond beginner level.

For families interested in finding out more, the Audenshaw Community Club is based at Audenshaw School, Hazel Street, Audenshaw, Manchester, M34 5NB.

The introductory opening weekend will run from September 18-20, giving local children the opportunity to try the activities and find out what the new club has to offer.

Gymfinity Kids' Audenshaw club information and class timetable are available to view on its website: https://www.gymfinitykids.com/club/manchester/audenshaw/