ABOUT THE ACADEMY
BUSINESS PROFILE AND HISTORY
 The
Lawnton Academy is a registered and long standing small business owned
and operated by the Principal of the Academy, Louise Cross and a team
of dedicated administration staff, accredited coaches, judges, and
trainee’s. The Academy is affiliated with
Gymnastics Qld (GQ) and Gymnastics Australia (GA)
The
Academy commenced operation in October 1982 in a small leased shed in
Paisley Drive. The Academy was one of the first private Gymnastics
schools in operation in Queensland. Initially the program commenced as
a Girls Gymnastics Program with Louise Cross as the Coach and her
father Ray in charge of equipment & facility supply and maintenance
and eventually Ray took on a role as the Girls Teams Vault coach.
Mother Paola was also heavily involved working as the administrator and
office secretary. The program grew rapidly and within a 6 month period
a move to a larger leased building in Paisley Drive occurred. By this
time a boys program was introduced and also trampolining sports. With
the increase in membership additional coaches were employed and the
program continued to grow and achieve many honours at the key gymnastic
events in this period including producing our first National WAG
Champions. In 1987 Louise Cross was successful in her application for a
loan to build the current facility that we now work in. Being a private
business, the Academy receives no Government Grants. All costs for
building loan, leases, rentals, equipment, staff wages, maintaining the
facility etc. come from the gymnast’s fees.
The Lawnton
Academy has had a long history of success, producing many Regional,
State, National and International champions & representatives. Our
extensive ‘Honour Boards’ are testament to this. A snapshot of the
Academy’s competitive history includes a 9 year run of being the best
overall Club in Qld for Girls and a 5 year run for the Boys at Qld Club
Championships. The Academy is also a 5 time Champion Club at the MAG
National Club Championships.
The Academy has also been the club of origin for many international athletes, including 4 Olympic Games representatives:-
LISA SKINNER – Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004.
DANIELLE KELLY – Athens 2004.
DAMIAN ISTRIA – Sydney 2000.
SAM SIMPSON – Beijing 2008.
These athletes, along with other Lawnton Academy Internationals – Michael
Donnet, Naomi Russell, Chantelle Turnbull, Mitchell Jones, Michael
Mercieca & Rianna Mizzen – were some of Australia’s highest ranked international athletes.
Our current International athletes, Mitchell Morgans continue to
produce wonderful achievements and results in the International arena of which
the Academy is most proud.
In 1991 the Academy was given the honour of being
named the first 'Satellite Club' for the Q.G.A.I. W.A.G. High
Performance Program. In 1993 the Academy's Boy's Program was recognised
and we became a Support Club for the MAG High Performance Program. In
March of '99 at the 50th Anniversary of QGA Inc, the Academy was
honoured by being named QGA and AGF Club of the Year for 1998.
The
Lawnton Academy is dedicated to our motto “Excellence Through Effort”,
and we believe that every child has the ability to thrive and develop
in many ways through the sport of gymnastics here at the Lawnton
Academy, whether this be in the competitive or recreational programs we
offer. We diligently work to achieve our mission and goals and also
provide a safe and productive facility to assist all of our gymnasts to
enjoy their gymnastics experience. We look forward to many more
wonderful years of gymnastics to add to the Academy’s long years of
service to the Pine Rivers community and the sport of Gymnastics in
Queensland.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Lawnton Academy provides a quality service to the community through
the implementation of challenging, safe & enjoyable programs that
inspire all participants of all levels & abilities to reach their
full potential in the sport of Artistic Gymnastics. MOTTO
"EXCELLENCE THROUGH EFFORT"
GOALS
 To
provide a program that caters for the whole range of artistic gymnastic
performance for males & females from Tiny Twister-Gym and
Recreational programs to competitive, State, National and International
performance. - To provide a staff of dedicated
professionals with great expertise & enthusiasm to assist all
gymnasts in their care to reach their full potential in their chosen
program at the Academy.
- To create an
environment in the Academy which will develop a child's physical,
social, emotional and intellectual abilities and therefore assist to
lay the foundation for learning about life & self.
- To provide a correct foundation in the learning of gymnastic skills in every Academy program available.
- To produce competitive gymnasts with very high standards in their chosen sport.
-
To conduct Academy activities in such a way as to provide an
environment which, so far as practicable, protects the health, safety
and welfare of ALL persons at the Academy and actively encourages safe
working practices.
- To foster &
encourage gymnasts to become future Coaches, Judges &
Administrators in the sport by providing a gym leader &
apprenticeship program of the highest standard.
-
To provide an administration system that focuses on excellence in
customer service, communication and good management practices.
-
To provide gymnasts and their parents with a challenge and also a lot
of enjoyment by participating in the Academy's extra activities.
ACADEMY STAFF
 The
Academy program (directed by the Principal), has in place both
full-time salaried staff and casual staff whose dedication &
coaching ability has been instrumental in the Academy being recognised
as providing one of the most successful gymnastics programs in Qld and
Australia.
There are 2 area’s of operation at the Academy:-
- Program & Coaching Operations
- Support & Resources (Administration)
The
Coaching Operation area is managed by three (3) Head Coaches – one for
the Boys Program, one for the Girls Program & a Tiny Twister Head
Coach. These persons are supported by Head Coaches assistants and a large group of Recreational & Competitive program coaches. Accredited assistant Coaches & Gym Leaders are also in training and under the supervision of our Head Coaches.
The Support & Resources operations employs administration
staff working in the area’s of Customer service, Facility
Management, Event Management, Workplace Health & Safety,
Maintenance, Marketing & Finance.
All
Academy Coaching Staff are N.C.A.S. (National Coaching Accreditation
Scheme) accredited and those that require it hold First Aid qualifications. Most were
former high-level competitors in the sport. The National Body
insists on yearly updating courses so all its coaches are well versed
in their field. Some of our staff also hold Judging
Qualifications.
As required by the Commission for Children and Young People and also the GA Child Protection and Member Protection policies all persons involved in instruction, management or coaching must have undergone a “Working with Children Check” before commencing child related work. All Academy personal hold current Child Commission Blue cards. Resumes are located on the notice board in the front office.
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