Basildon Sporting Village is set to welcome yet more elite international gymnasts this summer as it prepares to host the Australian gymnastics team for a two-week training camp ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The visit is a major endorsement of the Sporting Village and its reputation as a world-class training facility, with the Australian team choosing Basildon as its preparation base before travelling to Scotland for the Games.
Basildon Council is working alongside Everyone Active and South Essex Gymnastics Club to support the visit.
The Sporting Village's growing international reputation has also attracted interest from the Indian gymnastics team, who are currently considering the venue for their own pre-Games training camp.
The facility is already home to some of Britain's top gymnastics talent. Olympic champion Max Whitlock and England squad member Josh Nathan both train at South Essex Gymnastics Club, while Alexander Niscoveanu represents Wales. In addition, Scott Hann, Director of Coaching at South Essex Gymnastics Club, has been selected as a Coach Mentor for the Scottish gymnastics squad at this year's Commonwealth Games.
Dan Humphires, Everyone Active area contract manager, said: "Having international athletes choose Basildon Sporting Village as their training base is a real endorsement of the facilities, and something the local community can be proud of.
"We hope their visit inspires the next generation to get involved in sport and gymnastics, while highlighting the exceptional sporting opportunities available to residents right on their doorstep."
South Essex Gymnastics Club added: "We are incredibly proud of the legacy the Commonwealth Games brings to the club and to have international teams think of us as a base camp only adds to this. We are excited to welcome both Team Australia and Team India to the gym and wish our very own athletes Alex Niscoveanu and Josh Nathan the best of luck in the upcoming games."
Cllr Danny Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Youth at Basildon Council, said: "To welcome an international team of Australia's calibre is fantastic news for Basildon and demonstrates the outstanding reputation that Basildon Sporting Village and South Essex Gymnastics Club have built over many years.
"Our borough is increasingly recognised as a destination for elite sport, with world-class facilities and coaching that continue to attract athletes from across the UK and around the world.
"We're proud that Basildon will play a small part in helping these athletes prepare for the Commonwealth Games, while also inspiring the next generation of local gymnasts who train alongside some of the very best in the sport.
"This promises to be a fantastic summer for sport in Basildon and highlights our continued commitment to investing in facilities that benefit both elite athletes and our local communities."