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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

CCY Gymnastics through the YMCA of Chilton County has been bringing competitive gymnastics to Chilton County children for around 25 years. CCY offers both competitive and recreation classes for children from 18 months-12 years old. They also have a tumbling class for 5-18-year-old children.

Whitney Zugg and Latishia Traywick, two of the instructors at CCY Gymnastics, both agree having a competitive gymnastics program in Chilton County is beneficial. It takes out those interested in competitive gymnastics from having to travel out of the county to Birmingham or Montgomery to find a program that suits them.

Zugg, who has been coaching gymnastics since 2001, said she sees students she coached have daughters and they go into gymnastics as well. She said the sport helps those children grow with lessons they learn through the sport.

“I feel like we have seen the long-term benefits of gymnastics ourselves,” Zugg said. “When they come back and tell us about the life lessons they still use because of gymnastics such as discipline, teamwork and doing things when they are hard. The benefits gymnastics give are great.”

Zugg added that seeing the hard work that leads to success at competitions is another cool aspect of coaching gymnastics.

CCY has many opportunities in the upcoming months for those interested in gymnastics to try it out. CCY operates on sessions and has their summer session beginning on June 5. They hold spring and winter sessions as well and after those an awards ceremony is held giving the students a chance to show off the skills they have learned during the classes.

CCY and Jefferson State Community College Chilton-Clanton Campus are hosting the Judge’s Cup on Aug. 25-27 where the state gymnastic judges host the meet and young gymnasts from around Alabama gather to compete. It is open to the public and is a good opportunity for those interested in gymnastics a chance to see them in action.

“It is a local way for people to come and support us and to see if their child is interested in the competitive team or gymnastics in general,” Zugg said. “We would love for people to come out and support them and show some community support.”

CCY also has a gymnastics camp coming up on July 11-13 for children. Member rates are $60 and non-member rates are $75. Those interested in CCY Gymnastics and would like more information are encouraged to call the YMCA or stop in to get a form about the upcoming classes. CCY Gymnastics allows children to try out a class first to see how much they enjoy it before officially signing up for the classes.