A new foam pit has been installed at a local gymnastic training facility with grant assistance from Manx Lottery Trust.

The Unified Sports Centre was formed to promote gymnastics in the Isle of Man and built the Manx Gymnastics Centre of Excellence in 1993. Today the charity continues its work by ensuring the facility is equipped with everything needed for training gymnasts at all levels and for coaching special needs sports.

When the gymnasium was built, Manx Gymnastics, the club which trains at the facility, had just 23 club members - membership is now close to 400.

With an increasing number of members reaching higher skill levels, the Unified Sports Centre needed a new foam pit to ensure the gymnasts can practice routines safely.

Ian Bradshaw, from the Manx Gymnastics Centre of Excellence, said: ‘Everyone is welcome at Manx Gymnastics, from children and adults to practising gymnasts and those with special needs. In recent years, we have celebrated successes at the Commonwealth Games, Island Games and Northern European Championships, and as our gymnasts’ skills have developed so has our need for a new foam pit.

‘A huge thank you to Manx Lottery Trust for its assistance with funding the pit, which has allowed us to continue training safely.’

Lulu Gillow, Chair of the Manx Lottery Trust, added: ‘The growth in membership demonstrates the need for such a training facility and the foam pit will enable skills to further develop in a safe environment.’

To find out more about the work of the Manx Lottery Trust visit: www.mlt.org.im.