inaugurated by Fredrina Bean-Slaton has been a rousing success according to the gymnast.

Over 60 children between the ages of three and 16 -- most undertaking the sport for the first time -- were successful in mastering the basic disciplines such as forward rolls, cart wheels, handsprings and others.

So rapid was the development of these youngsters that a 13-week curriculum was completed in only six weeks and additions had to be made for further advancement.

"For the first term we didn't want to use to much force,'' said Bean-Slaton, who realised her dream in being able to open such a school. "We wanted it to be fun for them as they were doing something they hadn't experienced before.

"But they progressed much faster than we thought they would and we had to find harder things for them to do.'' Sharing in the vision of spreading the sport locally are Martina Ford and Kim Dowling. Both act as coaches along with Bean-Slaton and are also assisted by volunteer Dawnette Bean.

Ironically the trio -- Ford, Dowling and Bean-Slaton -- were rivals as youngsters, competing against one another in local competitions as well as overseas.

"I have gotten a lot out of the sport and feel honoured to be able to share my knowledge and experience with the children,'' said Ford, recently promoted to the title of head coach. "The kids are so energetic and full of life.

We've only been with them for a few months but they have certainly come a long way.'' Plans are already in the works for the sending of a team overseas next year -- possibly in June or July -- for a gymnastics training camp. This would be a preliminary step to entering further international competitions.

"Being that I was prevented from realising my dream of going to the Olympics because of my accident I would like to see some of my students get the chance to go,'' said Bean-Slaton, whose competitive career was effectively ended by an horrific car crash in 1991 while attending college in Georgia. "However, commitment is needed by both child and parents.

"Some (parents) are afraid to see their children getting hurt. In this sport that is somewhat inevitable with all the new things a child is doing with their body, but the coaches are out there doing everything they can to prevent this from happening.'' Also on the horizon is expansion and the purchasing of additional equipment such as parallel bars, a proper vault and floor. Currently they are limited to exercises involving the floor, balance beam and vault.

"A long-range goal is to get our own building and we would like to expand to include dance as well,'' added Bean-Slaton. "We'll be going out and doing some fund-raising for new equipment so that hopefully one day Bermuda will be a focus of world gymnastics.'' Classes are held at Warwick Secondary School and registration for the upcoming term takes place on January 9 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The spring term runs from January 16 through June 19.