YMCA Gymnastics Stafford

We had my daughter’s 2 year old birthday party at the YMCA in Stafford and it was honestly her best day ever! The staff were unbelievably friendly and kind, the play/gym area was perfect for all the kids (aged 1-8) and we could do all the catering ourselves. You get the entire space for your party and there’s gates across the gym area, around the private room and also in the front so it was extremely safe for all. Best thing was not having to arrive at a park at 7am and pray for no rain! We were fully in doors and there are big fans and aircon so weather is irrelevant. Highly recommend for kids of all ages!

Omg I loved it here!! Best experience ever at one of the adult open gyms, they were even open in the school holidays! The staff were all so welcoming and friendly, just let us do our own training - what made me so exciting is that this gym has a rhythmic floor and rhythmic gymnastics equipment! Literally all my favourite childhood memories were in that sport. It was so special to have fun with the rhythmic equipment and I can’t wait to come back again!!

My son has been training with the amazing team of coaches there for 2 years now and we couldn't be happier. If you're looking for fun they have that too, but their strength is in competitive training and equipment set up. I could speak more highly about the care and consideration they have shown in adapting to challenges my son has had with progressing at times, but also life challenges with changing schedules and adapting to COVID19 restrictions. They offer a free trial which made it easy to start both my boys.

I wanted to pay for my 9 year old daughter’s non competitive gymnastics fees up front for each school term. I was told they operate on a direct debit scheme, 48 weeks per year. At the end of the school term I requested a suspension due to the school holidays approaching. I was told I was not able to ‘suspend’ the classes, but rather mark my daughter ‘absent’, and have ‘make up classes’. I communicated that I felt my daughter needed a break from sport over the holidays. Athletes have off seasons to rest, reset and recover. It is even more imperative for kids, participating in non competitive sports to have off seasons particularly due to the risk of overtraining and growth plate injuries. I then requested a transfer to another YMCA club at which I was told I would have to pay 12 weeks cancellation prior to transferring to another YMCA club. I obtained a medical certificate to have the membership terminated at Stafford Y. The administration person then disclosed the medical information about my daughter to another club without my consent. For a non-for-profit organisation that prides itself on strengthening families and communities, I am appalled and disgusted that I have had to go to these lengths to advocate for my child so she is able to have a rest from her non competitive gymnastics over the school holidays.

The has overcharged us on a few occasions, where the latest we’ve had to notify them by email and dropping in because there was no response. Once advised, they then said it may take 2 weeks to return the overcharged amounts back to our account. Simply not good enough. Staff are good, but systems are terrible.