The Gym Sports Section was established in the 1960’s as a boys’ Physical Training Group. In the 1970’s a girls’ section was introduced and the division was renamed the ‘Gymnastics’ section.
The division flourished with new coaches taking over and children were encouraged to enter competitions in their respective disciplines. Many children from Oatley have represented the Outer City region at State competitions since competitive artistic gymnastics was introduced.
Trampoline Sports was added in the early 1980’s and has grown into a competitive sport, with several State and National representatives.
2002 heralded the introduction of yet another discipline, Sport Aerobics. Once again the children were encouraged to compete and we have had State representatives each year since.
In 2003 all the Sections were combined and renamed Oatley RSL ‘GymSports’ Section, which now encompasses Kindy Gym, Recreational Gym, Men's and Women's Artistic, Trampoline Sports and Sport Aerobics.
There are in excess of 320 athletes participating weekly, ranging in age from 3 to 19 years. The coaching staff is currently 22 with new coaches recruited from participants as they retire from active competition. All coaches undertake the Gymnastics Australia accreditation process and progress to class supervision with experience and higher levels of accreditation.
With such a large student base we need an efficient administration to accept enrolments, compile the student database and class rolls, issue receipts, co-ordinate the clothing pool etc. There are currently 13 parent volunteers who perform these duties and without them the Section would not function, we greatly appreciate their contribution.
The section has grown to become well known in the St. George area for providing both recreational and competitive gymnastics for children within the district.