Aspiring Gymsports Club will hold its annual club display today (Sunday December 8) at the Wānaka Recreation Centre from 1-2.30pm.

The club has also thanked community members and groups who have supported the club and its athletes this past year.

Club founder spokesperson Rae Paterson said the Upper Clutha Lions Club had supported the club by helping to fund the entry fees for members who took part in the New Zealand Gymnastics Championships in Palmerston North.

Lorraine Knowles and Noeline Dickey from the Upper Clutha Lions Club recently met some of the club members who were selected in the Otago team to compete at the national championships, she said. 

“Aspiring Gymsports would like to thank the Lions for supporting the club: Thank you so much from the athletes … and their families.”

Allan Harvey of Wānaka Community Workshop with Corey Peters and his daughter Valentina.

Rae said the team at Wānaka Community Workshop made three wheelchair ramps this year to help make the club’s new premises at Paetara Aspiring Central more accessible.

Snowsports athlete Corey Peters, who is a regular visitor to Mini Muscles with his daughter Valentina, thanked the workshop members for their work.

“I'm really thankful for all the work and effort Aspiring Gymsports and the Wānaka Community Workshop have put in to have these access ramps built, allowing me the opportunity to participate in the Mini Muscles programme with my daughter,” he said.

“It's been really amazing to watch and be a part of her development.” 

Mark Ebbins (in cap and blue T-shirt and cap) from Wānaka Lodge 277 with Aspiring Gymsports members from M!NT and MAC: Barack, Eamon, Josh, Jake, Louis, Olivia, Eli, Joel, Jacob, Melissa, Hugo, Kirsten and Charlotte. 

Rae also thanked members of the Wānaka Lodge 277 for sponsoring an Aspiring Gymsports class for members of the M!NT collective and Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College’s (MAC) class for students with additional needs.

“The lodge has sponsored this class for the whole of 2025 ensuring the continuation of this programme, free of charge,” she said.

“Thanks so much to Mark [Ebbins] and the lodge members, for helping the club to become inclusive for all members of our community, we truly appreciate your funding and support.”  

She said any child or youth within the wider community who requires support for learning and living is welcome to attend the class (which takes place on Tuesdays from 2-3pm). Primary school children can attend from 9.30-10.30 am. 

PHOTOS: Supplied