A GYMNASTICS club from Swindon are getting ready to represent Britain on the world stage as they form part of the largest ever team at the sport's biggest celebration.

Esprit Gymnastics Club will send a team of 14 gymnasts to the World Gymnaestrada in Amsterdam later this month.

They will be joined by 20,000 participants from 50 other nations to create a spectacular festival of gymnastics.

Esprit coach Cherie Skeats said: “I have been doing World Gymnaestradas since about 2008 – this will be my third time and I can honestly say that it is a truly incredible experience, we are all very excited at the club.

“The weeks are hectic and tiring but that is what we love and my two previous ones were just really good.

“I’ve been as a coach and as part of the choreography display previously which was fun.

“The event is brilliant – it is really exciting to be part of such a massive event and it is a great experience to be able to represent the club and the country on such a big stage.”

First staged in 1953, the World Gymnaestrada is a non-competitive and inclusive event held every four years that celebrates the joy of the sport, reflecting the new vision launched earlier this year for gymnastics in the UK to deliver an uplifting experience for all.

The event is open to everybody, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, culture, or ability or disability.

The 2023 edition will see participants wow the crowds with gymnastics displays in locations across the Dutch capital between 30 July – 5 August.

Esprit Gymnastics Club will perform up to five times throughout the week, including forming part of a mass group ‘Great Britain’ team performance alongside the other 30 British clubs in attendance.

The focus on providing an enjoyable and memorable experience for participants and the audience alike is what is at the heart of the World Gymnaestrada and why this year British Gymnastics is supporting a record number of gymnasts to take part.

Skeats added: “We are really excited for this one, the girls are all looking forward to it – they all cannot wait to go.

“The youngest going is 14 and the eldest is 28, so it is quite a young group.

“I know how much the girls are looking forward to performing as well as all the sightseeing and fun stuff away from gymnastics.

“I haven’t been to Amsterdam before either and that is another thing that is great about doing these events – you go to places that you might not have been to, which is really cool.”

British Gymnastics will be bringing the joy and celebration of the World Gymnaestrada experience to life across its digital channels throughout the event, and you can read more about the new vision for gymnastics in the UK to deliver an uplifting experience for all at www.british-gymnastics.org/vision.