Emerald Gymnastics Cub
What does your company do?
Emerald Gymnastics Club is a community-based sports initiative in Soweto that provides gymnastics training to children aged 4 and up. We offer programs in introduction to gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and aerobic gymnastics for both boys and girls. Our mission is to make the sport accessible to township youth by creating a safe, structured environment where children can build confidence, discipline, and physical fitness. We’re currently preparing for our first competitive season and aim to grow into a leading gymnastics hub that nurtures talent, breaks barriers, and inspires excellence, regardless of background.
What is your biggest success?
Our biggest success has been the launch and growth of Emerald Gymnastics Club in Soweto, where over 50 children from underserved communities now attended our open day. Despite financial and resource challenges, we hosted our first open day and partnered with local organizations like Jabulani Safe Hub and Luyolo Primary School.
A major milestone was attending our very first competitions this year, we competed in two club competitions, marking our official entry into competitive gymnastics. Another proud moment was when Radio 702 interviewed us for their South Africans Doing Great Things segment, highlighting our impact. Additionally, Activate Change Drivers featured our story on their blog, which helped raise awareness and support for the club.
These achievements have transformed gymnastics from a recreational activity into a powerful tool for building confidence, discipline, and pride. Our success is about breaking barriers and empowering youth, proving that passion and dedication can create real change.
What has been your biggest hurdle?
Our biggest hurdle has been access to funding and resources. Gymnastics is an equipment-heavy sport, and many families in our community cannot afford the costs of leotards, competition fees, or transport. This financial barrier limits participation and prevents many talented children from reaching their full potential.
Additionally, we face challenges in securing adequate equipment like mats and rhythmic apparatus, which impacts the quality and safety of training. Operating in under-resourced venues also makes it difficult to provide consistent, professional-level programs.
Despite these obstacles, we remain committed to finding creative solutions, partnering with local organizations, fundraising, and subsidizing costs, to keep the club accessible. Overcoming this hurdle is key to growing our impact and giving more children the chance to thrive through gymnastics.
