A local couple have opened the doors to their brand new not-for-profit gymnastics facility, the Manchester Academy of (Community) Gymnastics.
The centre, based at Fortunata House on Astor Road, is the brainchild of Maxine and Mike Grech, who created the facility after being inspired by their son’s success in gymnastics.
Mike said: “Gymnastics in the UK suffers from a shortage of facilities and tuition. Demand exceeds supply and it can be especially difficult for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and deprived areas to access good, safe, inspirational and affordable sporting facilities within their communities, particularly gymnastics facilities.
“Having lived in the Salford area our whole lives, we were inspired by our son Rocco’s success in gymnastics. We wanted to create a state of the art not-for-profit community facility in the local area as our way of giving something back to the local community.”
The academy’s facilities and services include gymnastics, dance, wrestling, boxing and yoga. There is also a fitness suite, a recovery room and cafeteria. The equipment for the facility totalled £260,000 and was supplied by GymNova and arranged by Oldham-based firm, PMD Business Finance.
Phil Morris, business development director at PMD Business Finance, said: “We are so pleased to have been able to support this exciting community facility. Having met with Maxine and Mike, it was clear to see their passion for this project, as well as their motivation to give something back to the Salford community. We know it has been a labour of love for them but their hard work and determination has certainly paid off as classes are booking up very quickly already the more that word is spreading.
“As a fellow Manchester-based company, we are incredibly proud to support fellow local businesses in the nearby area and we wish Maxine and Mike the very best of luck in the future.”
Picture from left to right – John Harker MBE (centre director), Maxine and Mike Grech (directors and founders) and Phil Morris (PMD Business Finance).