A GYMNASTIC club which ran for almost 30 years has merged with another to create a supergroup.

The former Stourdale Gymnastics Club has joined forces with coach Dave Schadek to become Dave’s Gymnastic Academy (DGA).

Founder and head coach Mr Schadek is one of the top coaches in the area and a national judge.

Work began to try and merge the two clubs 18 months ago, when Stourdale’s head coach Joan Stevens decided to retire and Mr Schadek approached her with the idea.

Mrs Stevens’ daughter Tracie Allen, also a coach with both Stourdale and the new group, said it was a hard decision to close the club after three decades of it being in her family.

Most recently it had been based in Great Bentley.

She said the move had allowed them to train elite level gymnasts again, as Stourdale had been restricted to coaching recreational gymnastics for the past ten years due to the size of its premises.

The merger means DGA, based on the Whitehall Industrial Estate, near the Hythe in Colchester, has almost 20 coaches on its books and a wealth of equipment.

“So many clubs don’t have the resources to cater for all levels of gymnastics,” Ms Allen said.

“Many pre-schoolers and recreational gymnasts get overlooked in mass classes, or get bored doing the same old thing over and over again each week, but DGA recognise these classes hold the future of the club in their hands.”