Satellite Venue of a British Gymnastics Club
Satellite venues aim to provide a stepping-stone from school curriculum gymnastics to club gymnastics, with a much greater number of children able to access the opportunity to participate. They can be held in schools or community centres and focus on the development of the participants for progression to the gymnastics club.

These satellite venues are key to the development of gymnastics in Britain as they are responsible for increasing opportunities to participate and also to develop up and coming young gymnasts.

Below is an example of how a gymnastics club could run from an alternative venue, with possible income and expenditure calculations later in this document.  This is a basic model that gives a simple start to outreaching for clubs.




What are the benefits to setting up Satellite sessions for a Club?

Benefit to the club
- Increased membership
- Greater number of children for talent identification
- A better structure for progression, using the proficiency awards
- Channel more talented children to the club venue and higher level of apparatus/skills
- Reduced waiting lists, therefore better service
- Increased income
- Providing opportunities for coaches to earn income
- Improving the clubs coaching resources
- Demonstrating effective schools club links

Benefits to the member/gymnast
- Interested children not sitting on a waiting list but actually doing gymnastics
- Children can access coaching in a familiar environment
- Children can be taught along side other children of the same ability
- Therefore, improved structure of coaching
- Opportunity to progress through the proficiency awards to improved level
- Also opportunity to stay within the cheaper easier-to -access gym session

Benefits to the Coaches
- Opportunity to be trained in a new career and become self employed
- Can be linked to the ‘Career Coach’ programme
- Increased opportunity to be mentored or carry out mentoring
- Opportunity to earn £10 per hour times by as many sessions as feasible per week

Benefits to schools
- Providing opportunities for children to access sports coaching to achieve the 5 hour offer
- Access to qualified coaches for teacher training/mentoring
- Demonstrating effective school club links
- Gymnastics specific equipment the schools can use
- Community use of the facility


Possible Income from this Model:
This example is based on British Gymnastics membership being paid by the parents for the 6-week temporary term for £6. (Prior to this they are entitled to two free taster sessions).  If gymnasts then want to continue in the next term they can upgrade to Bronze membership for a further £9.  There would be no outlay by the club or coaches for these memberships.  

The figures shown below are an example to show how a satellite venue could generate income for a club.  You may wish to alter this to suit your club.  Please ensure that if you are going to pay coaches, you follow correct legal payment procedures.

The satellite venue must be registered with British Gymnastics as an additional venue.  The satellite sessions must be run with the same standards and policies as the main gym club, i.e. adherence to child protection, welfare, health and safety etc.

Payment in advance for the 6 sessions is essential.

Gaining funding for Satellite Venue Projects

You may require funding to help with the set up of a satellite venue to pay for items such as equipment and/or marketing.  There are is range of funding streams available that match the outcomes for this project which clubs to apply to ranging from £500 - £10,000.  These funding streams could be around health, communities or sport.

One such funding stream is the Sport England Small Grants fund that will fund projects up to £10,000.  Projects must either: increase participation, sustain participation or excel participation in sport.  Further details can be found at www.sportengland.org.  Below is some guidance on how you could answer questions within the Small Grant application form when applying for funding to set up a satellite club.  Please note this is only support and following this will not guarantee that your application is successful.

Sport England – Small Grant Application

Please Describe Your Project
• The project is a tool to increase participation of gymnastics within your club
• The set up of gymnastics sessions with schools/leisure centres and community centres that are open and accessible to community members

What Do You Want Your Project to Achieve?
• Increase participation of gymnastics within your club through generating capacity
• Increase in talent pool to your ‘Hub’ centre
• If this satellite venue is delivering cheerleading or freestyle it could possibly used as a retention tool to sustain participation in your club and gymnastics

How will Your Project Deliver the Principle Strategic Outcome you Have Selected? (Grow, Sustain or Excel participation in sport)
• Grow – Increasing participation by, generating new opportunities, creating capacity and delivering sessions in local venues
• Sustain – If the project is based on activities aimed at attracting the 16+ age group then this would be appropriate as it is helping sustain gymnasts involvement in sport
• Excel – Due to the increase in members at your club, a wider talent base will be established helping to increase the chances of identifying talented gymnasts who can be signposted to your ‘Hub’ centre to develop and progress their skills

How will You Know Whether Your Project has Been Successful?
• A number of Satellite venues have been established
• Membership of your club has increased
• The level of performance within your gym has increased
• The average age of gymnasts within our club has increased

How do You Know there is a Need for This Project?
• Your club has a current waiting list
• You have schools and leisure centres asking for this
• It is highlighted within our regional gymnastics plan

Project Budget
• Each project will be different and require different equipment, remember you have a maximum of £10,000 and be realistic about what you are applying for, sticking to Sport England’s guidance

It is important that you read all the guidance provided by the funding stream and answer all questions in the form before sending it to Sport England.