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CHESTERFIELD INLET
A group of kids in Chesterfield Inlet enjoyed a new experience this past month thanks to the idea of a local teacher.

Even young guys like Donald Mullins and Kyle Mullins, from left, joined in on the fun of learning the basics of gymnastics from Ivy Martin, front, at Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet this past month. - photo courtesy of Glen Brocklebank

Ana Leishman and her husband, Glen Brocklebank, couldn't afford to travel with their two children during a teacher's conference (professional development) week this past month.

So Leishman decided to kill two birds with one stone by doing her professional development at Victor Sammurtok School in Chester and giving local kids something new to try at the same time.

Leishman brought her older sister, Ivy Martin, a former member of Canada's national rhythmic gymnastics team, to Chester for a week.

While there, Martin taught three 45-minute classes on basic gymnastics to local youth in the mornings.

Leishman said the idea was simply to give kids something to do during the week the school was closed.

She said the classes were a big hit with little kids, especially young girls.

"There's really not a lot for girls to do in Chester," said Leishman.

"There's a lot of hockey for boys, but the girls never seem to get equipment.

"Ivy did gymnastics classes for the girls, and a program called Boys In Motion for boys aged about four to 12.

"They did a lot of strength training and running, and, even though Ivy is rhythmic, she showed them tumbling and some other skills they hadn't worked at before."

Leishman said the older girls got to do a bit of dance and some ballet moves.

She said the kids found it all to be pretty cool.

"Ivy said they were the most fun of any class she's taught because they were really eager to do everything.

"The kids had a great time, and they were able to laugh at themselves if they didn't understand something right away and messed it up.

"They loved having someone teach them things they'd never done before.

"It was funny when some of them found out they weren't as flexible as they thought."

Leishman said the mornings went by very quickly.

She said the classes were less than an hour because it's hard to keep the little kids' attention for longer periods.

"It wasn't a huge turnout, because there was no school, but those who wanted to come were really into it.

"Some of the kids got so into it they couldn't stop dancing and doing all the moves after they went home, so something about it made a good impression on them."

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