A coach and former hip hop choreographer has opened a new gymnastics club in Witney.

American Nemo Bassey held his first session at Nemo Gymnastics in November 2019 in a community hall.

But in September, thanks to the club's huge success and through fundraising, it has been able to move to its own facilities in Range Road.

Mr Bassey said the club was set up to help increase children's confidence.

He said: “When I came back to the UK after 26 years, the club I coached at just didn’t seem to have an ethos.

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"I wanted to put my passion into something that would encourage kids to have confidence - somewhere kids of all gymnastics levels could come and have fun.

“This has been a big career highlight on mine to date. Since moving into the new facilities, we’ve been able to introduce lessons on Saturdays, as well as 101 new children to the club.

"We’ve been able to support kids of other waitlists within the area and provide a space where we can have full-size equipment.”

Oxford Mail: Nemo Bassey at Nemo's Club in Witney

Mr Bassey said there are two acronyms at the heart of the club: "WIN – welcoming, inclusive and nurturing and TEAM – together everyone achieves more."

He began his competitive gymnastics career in the US where he competed throughout high school and university before going on to coach the sport.

His studies in Social Psychology, Human Development and Family Study have helped him better understand pupils and their families and caregivers, he said.

Besides gymnastics, Mr Bassey was also a personal trainer focusing on nutrition.

He also coached high-level competitive cheerleading for over 10 years, was a tumbling instructor and a hip-hop choreographer for dance studios.

After returning to the UK and gaining a reputation as a coach at other clubs, he decided it was time to take the leap and set up his own.

But, he said, he encountered a lack of diversity when he started working at another club where children assumed he was the cleaner.

He told British Gymnastics: “The kids couldn’t imagine that I was their coach. They weren’t used to it."

He added: “Without representation, children are all less likely to want to take part or feel like they can take part – not just in gymnastics, but in all sports.

"It was amazing to see that this year the majority of the American national team were gymnasts of colour.

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"It’s incredible to see that representation as previously, as a Black club owner, I haven’t often seen others of colour at competitions.

"For me, representation is the most important thing.”

Mr Bassey, who dreams of opening two, three or maybe even four other locations across the country in the future, said: "I want to continue to influence the gymnastics community and showcase that it’s a place for everyone to feel safe.

"A place where you can come into the gym and leave any issues at the door. A place where you belong and feel safe,  continuing to showcase that gymnastics is for all."