All round success at Middleton Trampolining Club

Staff and children enjoy Lisa’s Thursday evening session at St Anne's Academy

A local trampolining club has been enjoying success in more ways than one.

Middleton Trampolining Club have gone from strength to strength in recent years and the club’s popularity with children and parents alike is thanks in part to their inclusive attitude.

The club, which was founded by current Head Coach Lisa Lee in 2011, welcomes children with additional needs where many would turn them away. With relevant support workers on hand; the club possesses a fun and friendly atmosphere that leaves children and parents smiling and laughing.

Lisa explained why the club has gained a reputation for its ability to cater to children of all needs and abilities: “I started to notice that certain children were in need of extra attention at the club due to their behaviour.

“We noticed that making these children stand and watch didn’t really work and I brought in relevant support workers to help them, instead of restricting them.

“From October 2012 to now we’ve had 59 children with additional needs and we currently have 38 actively attending sessions. We have approximately 30 members in the main club of which 7 have additional needs.”

A real success story of the club comes in the shape of 15-year-old Callum Roberts, who has autism. Lisa said: “He wasn’t really showing any focus or purpose at school but within 14 months with us he is a qualified award scheme coach and he is being interviewed by his school to teach rebound therapy there.

“We hope that by the time he’s 18 he’ll be able to run his own classes. It’s absolutely fantastic.”

Callum isn’t the only attendee to the club that has benefitted from Lisa’s care and attention.

“We have a young lady with us who has cerebral palsy. Since she’s started trampolining she’s improved her core muscles, which in turn has improved her mobility and posture, which in turn has seen her gain more independence and self esteem.”

By integrating those with additional needs into the mainstream sessions, the children are able to gain an understanding and build friendships. A large choice of activities other than the trampolines also means the children don’t get bored waiting their turn.

Whilst the fun and noisy environment may appear to be chaotic at times, there’s still a drive to succeed for those that do attend.

“Since our start-up, nine attendees are now coaches, eight are rebound therapy coaches and we have one level two coach with another level one coach currently training to reach that level.”

The club is due to attend a regional tariff competition this Sunday (19 January) in Wigan, but Lisa says this particular competition will be “very relaxed.”

“For the majority it will be their first competition and we’re mainly going so that they get some idea of what the competitions are like.

“Any score will go onto their national development plan. They can then endeavour to beat their next score in their next competition. They’re essentially competing against themselves.”

The future is bright for the club, which is continually growing in numbers. Lisa hopes to have a facility that the club can call their own in due time.

“Within five years time we aim to have our own building with rooms to rent out to physiotherapists and such. We hope to have a venue that can cater for everyone from those with additional needs to the elite performers.”

In order to finance a programme that caters for children with a range of needs, the club is in desperate need of sponsors.

For anyone wishing to get involved with the club, details of the different sessions are available on the club’s website www.wix.com/middletontrampoline/clubsite whilst anyone wishing to sponsor the club can contact Lisa directly on 07920401784.