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Gymnastics coach, 85, 'fit enough' to carry on

Jonathan SwinglerBBC Look North,
News imageBBC Head and shoulder shot of octogenarian Anita Waters. She looks younger than her years, with light blonde bobbed hair and wearing a white open-necked shirt.BBC
Anita Waters says she loves coaching the youngsters

An 85-year-old gymnastics coach says she does not intend to stop any time soon.

Anita Waters started volunteering at the Acklam Gymnastics Club in Middlesbrough 43 years ago when her daughters joined.

Over the years she has trained generations of youngsters, and as the club celebrates its 50th birthday she said she still has a lot to offer.

"I just know personally I'm fit enough to do it," she said.

With many of the youngsters dreaming of being successful in national competitions, Mrs Waters told BBC Tees she hoped they could build on what the club had achieved over the last half-century.

She added: "When you volunteer I think it proves that you're doing this job because you love it and you love the kids."

News imageGymnastics class. A line up of eight young children standing on raised wooden structures, some with their arms in the air. An elderly woman in a white t-shirt and black leggings is standing in front of the line, and on either side of her are two younger women adjusting the position of the children. They are wearing both black leggings and black tops.
Some of those Mrs Waters trained are now coaches themselves

Zoe Ingledew, who Mrs Waters mentored, took up gymnastics at the club aged six and is now 22 and pursuing a coaching career.

She said: "It's really nice to have someone there who knows exactly what they are talking about - she's just amazing."

There was also praise from younger gymnasts.

Everly, aged eight, said: "She's really good, she teaches cartwheels and forward rolls."

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