A gymnastics club from Scunthorpe are getting ready to represent Britain on the world stage as they form part of the largest-ever team to perform at the biggest celebration of the sport on the planet later this month. 

Allegro Gymnastics Club are sending a team of 18 gymnasts to the World Gymnaestrada in Amsterdam. 

They will join over 20,000 participants from 50 other nations to create a spectacular festival of gymnastics. 

Senior coach Celine Pohl said: “I think it's all about giving the opportunities for children around Scunthorpe to do something internationally.

“Sport doesn't take you anywhere around here. If you want to do high-level sport or go internationally or even regionally, you need to go to Lincoln or Leeds or Sheffield to do that.

“So it's really special for children training in Scunthorpe to actually go and represent Great Britain in this event. 

“It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of these girls and they're definitely really, really excited. 

“It was really special to get their GB kit, they're all keeping it nice and pristine ready for the opening ceremony.  

“They're just so excited. This opportunity wouldn't really come around in any sport in our area, so it's very special.” 

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.  

Allegro 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. 

Pohl added: “It's an absolutely amazing opportunity. The girls have all got involved with fundraising to help us raise money for the trip. We've just become one big family.  

“The whole club's been involved and last week we did a showcase, showcasing not only our team for Gymnaestrada but all different aspects of our club from our rec kids to our highest squad levels.  

“They have also been doing things like fun camps where the girls have been putting on activities throughout the day.  

“Kids come and do some fun gymnastics and that's raised a lot of money and it's included the whole club, not just the gymnasts that are going to Amsterdam.” 

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.