Forty-two gymnasts from Cedar Gymnastics Club, based at Cedar High School of the Arts in Rocklands, have made it to compete in this year’s South African Gym Games in Pretoria.
They are in need of funding and donations for these gymnasts. Each child needs R5 000 to make it to the SA Gym Games. They need over R100 000 for the SA Gym Games that take place from Sunday October 1 to Sunday October 9 in Pretoria.
Riyaanah Dirks, head coach and club founder, said they are trying to raise funds for their athletes. “We have been working; we just made a quarter of the money. It’s really difficult to do this but we believe this is possible as we don’t want to leave anyone behind,” she said.
They’ll be competing in sections for acrobatics in pairs and trios as well as in freestyle, called “Gym for All”. High-performance athletes can get invited to trials for SA colours in 2023.
The club’s athletes all span from ages 6 to 15.
Ms Dirks is a former gymnast and in her day, if you didn’t have money, you didn’t really go far.
She was on drugs for 10 years but has remained clean and turned her life around to help the youth in the community. “I needed to clean up my act. I got clean and one thing led to another. I found a job at a primary school and things just fell into place. I’ve continued to work with underprivileged children.
“I won’t let the children go astray, if the talent is there I am willing to push with the child. I’m so proud of the team after Covid-19. We continued working on those skills,” she said.
“They must go and make us proud. We will be happy with what they come back with. I’m their biggest cheerleader. If you put in the work you can achieve anything,” said Ms Dirks.
Naeem Abrahams, chairperson of Cedar Gymnastics Club, said his son joined the group and he followed him. During that period he became a judge.
Over the years they’ve always prided themselves on hard work and doing their best. “Last year was a challenge because of Covid-19. This year only two of our athletes didn’t make it but 95% of them made it. We’re very excited, most of them are competing for the first time,” Mr Abrahams said.
In order to qualify for the SA Gym Games, they’d need to have done club competitions, then move to the district competition under the auspices of the governing body for all gymnastics activity in the Cape Metropole, the Cape Town Gymnastics Association. The association is a member of the Cape Town Sports Council, the Western Cape Gymnastics Association and Gymnastics South Africa.
“From there they’d go to Western Province (WP) and then compete in the WP Gymnastics Association’s competition, which they competed in in Stellenbosch from Friday August 12 to Sunday August 14, and qualified for the SA Gym Games,” said Mr Abrahams.
Club member Natasha Frazer’s daughter started this year and she will be competing for the first time at the SA Gym Games.
“’At first I thought it would just be a roly-poly to keep her busy. She started in February this year and moved straight to level 4. I was so happy and surprised she made it to get her WP colours. I love that the club allows for safety first, yet also allowing for excellence in this sport,” she said.
Gymnast Kalim Ganga 13, said she’s very excited, “because it’s a big opportunity for me”.
“This is my first year competing and I got this privilege to go and represent our province. It feels amazing. If you have the passion, nothing can stop you.”
Seth Piet, 8, who is the only male gymnast in the group, said he is excited to go as it will be his first time at the games. He feels confident about competing.
Gymnast Satara Samsodien, 12, said they get to express themselves in the dances. “It allows you to relieve stress and keeps you out of trouble. I’m looking forward to this as this is my second time going. I’m looking forward to competing with the new group. If you try and you put your everything in you are going to get there. Practice makes perfect,” she said.
They have a fund-raiser show, This is Us, at Cedar High School on Friday September 30 at 6.30pm for 7pm and tickets are R80 for adults and R50 for children. Tickets are available beforehand and will also be sold at the door.
“Some of these children have to walk in groups, and also travel with pepper spray to get here. In the show they will be bringing to light gender-based violence, human trafficking and substance abuse, to name a few,” said Ms Dirks.
For tickets for the fund-raiser show and for more information about donations or sponsoring the club, contact Ms Frazer on 082 997 8227 or email cedarflyers@gmail.com
