A run-down, disused building in the under-served community of Pill in Newport has been transformed into a brand-new gymnastics centre.

Now, hundreds of local children have the chance to jump, balance and cartwheel at a first-class facility, right on their doorstep.

At the heart of this project is a determined club that believes sport has the power to deliver social impact. And with the help of a Sport Wales Capital Grant, £150,000 of Welsh Government funding means that the club can create opportunities for the whole community.

The challenge

Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading took over a small club in Pill in 2024. But the venues that the club rented could only squeeze in three gymnastics sessions a week. 

Meanwhile, the club’s waiting list kept growing. A clear sign that local families were eager for more sessions and more chances for their children to get involved.

“We desperately wanted to deliver more sessions because there is a great need for activities like this, especially in areas like Pill. We knew we needed our own space so we could open our doors full-time,” says the club’s CEO, Carly Hawke.

The renovation

The club started to search for a new facility. Keen to find somewhere in the heart of Pill, Carly and her team found the perfect spot. 

Only half of households here have a car. So, it was important that people could easily walk and not rely on public transport.

Opposite the Pill Millennium Centre, they discovered a former charity shop that hadn’t been used since 2020.

It needed a new roof, ceilings, floors, and electrics. In reality, a complete renovation. But the space was just right. 

But the club just didn’t have the budget for the extensive work needed. That’s when Welsh Gymnastics stepped in to support. They successfully applied for Sport Wales’ Capital Grant. 

The importance of sports opportunities in Pill

Pill is an inner-city area with plenty of challenges: 

  • It has the third highest rate of child poverty in Wales.
  • It’s in the top 10% of most deprived areas in Wales.
  • 50% of residents are from an ethnic minority with 46 different first languages spoken at the local primary school.
  • 37% of people aged 25-64 don’t have any qualifications. 
  • Only 26% of working age residents are in full-time employment.

These figures highlight a clear need in Pill: access to low-cost, local sports opportunities to support children, young people and families.

New opportunities for Pill

Previously, the club was providing opportunities for 60 children. That number will grow more than six times to 400, thanks to the investment into the new facility in Pill.

Not only do young people now have access to a brand-new facility, but the dedicated space means that the club can:

  • reach more young people 
  • run girls-only sessions for Muslim communities 
  • open a sensory room for neurodiverse children and young people 
  • offer cheerleading to help keep girls in sport for longer
  • run adult classes

“Pill is a really diverse area,” explains Carly. “We have been speaking to lots of different groups about what’s needed in Pill. We’re really excited about the potential of encouraging more Muslim girls to get involved in gymnastics by offering all-female sessions.

“We’ve looked at what gaps exist in the community - for example, there isn’t a sensory room for neurodiverse children and young people so that’s a really positive addition that will make a big difference to families,” adds Carly.

Removing barriers to participation

Making sure that opportunities are available to everyone, all sessions will be low-cost.

But Carly and her team are going one step further. They are introducing one day a week which is completely free.

The club is:

  • eliminating waiting lists
  • reaching more families and diverse communities 
  • tackling the cost barrier
  • running free sessions one day a week

“We’ll run sessions for the whole day that are free. We want to make sure we are welcoming all members of the community, and we know that many in Pill are really struggling financially. We believe that everyone should be able to take part, regardless of financial circumstances.

“We want to create a space where children and young people feel safe and a community that’s like an extended family,” adds Carly. 

“We couldn’t have done it without the grant.”

The impact of the funding has helped make this vision a reality.

“We absolutely couldn't have done this without the grant. It’s going to make a really big difference to the community. Supporting projects like this is really important because we’re working in an area of such deprivation. All the children are so excited and want to bring their friends,” adds Carly.

Welsh Gymnastics has supported the club every step of the way:

“We were thrilled to support this project – the club delivers impact that goes beyond physical activity and sport. It brings ideas to life that supports the whole community,” says Development Officer Georgia Pike. “In this case, it was crucial that the club found a home that it could use full-time and that was in the heart of the community.”

“As an organisation, everything about the project matched up with our values because it is serving those who need it most. This community faces financial barriers which means that less children are less likely to take part in sport – Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading is helping to change that.”

Create opportunities in your community

With Welsh Government funding via Sport Wales and support from Welsh Gymnastics, Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading are breaking down barriers.  Now, more young people in Pill have the opportunity to take part in sport close to their home.

Sport Wales is currently reviewing this year’s applications for capital funding and will announce the successful projects soon. The next application window opens in spring 2027.