ABOUT ESSENDON KEILOR GYMNASTICS ACADEMY
In 2005, an idea led the way for what would become one of Melbourne’s most vibrant gymnastics communities. That spark came from Christy Hemphill, who had spent years running a small, not-for-profit community gymnastics program in Melbourne’s north-west. She saw firsthand what families needed — and what they were missing.
“I wanted to build a club with everything gymnasts need to be successful — the right equipment, professional coaching, and a structured program. A place where parents could watch and feel part of their child’s journey, and where families with multiple children could enjoy everything from preschool to competitive gymnastics under one roof.”
— Christy Hemphill
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Determined to bring that vision to life, Christy resigned from her job, took out a second mortgage, and signed up for every credit card she could to start what would become Essendon Keilor Gymnastics Academy (EKGA).
The club began with humble roots — a handful of second-hand mats, a sprung floor purchased from another club, and equipment salvaged from local schools. A few prized pieces had even been used at the 2005 FIG World Championships in Melbourne, giving EKGA its first taste of world-class gymnastics.
In November 2005, EKGA opened its doors at 194 Roberts Road, Airport West, with mismatched but hard-earned equipment and a clear mission: to teach quality gymnastics in a fun, safe, and community-minded environment. Within twelve months, the club had grown from zero to over 300 members, proving that families were ready for something special.
Those early years were powered by pure passion. Christy was the cleaner, coach, receptionist, bookkeeper, marketer, and judge — all while leading a small team of ten casual staff. Together, they built a program that combined high-quality gymnastics coaching with a warm, family-friendly culture.
By 2007, EKGA had expanded into a licensed Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) provider, running holiday gymnastics programs and vacation care for up to 60 children a day. The program operated for more than a decade, serving local families until 2019, when EKGA’s gymnastics programs had grown so much that the childcare service was concluded to make room for expansion.
In 2009, EKGA took a huge leap forward by expanding into the neighbouring building at 196 Roberts Road, creating room for new Men’s, Women’s, and Trampoline Competitive Gymnastics programs. That same year, the club celebrated its first Australian Champion — a proud moment that marked its emergence on the national stage.Then, in 2012, Christy purchased both 194 and 196 Roberts Road, ensuring long-term stability and providing the freedom to continually upgrade and customise the facility for athletes, staff, and families alike.
In 2013, EKGA made history by becoming the first gymnastics club in Australia to run dedicated classes for blind and vision-impaired children, a reflection of Christy’s commitment to inclusive gymnastics programs and accessibility.By 2015, EKGA had become a destination employer, hiring and sponsoring its first high-level international coach to raise the bar in athlete development and staff education.
Four years later, in 2019, EKGA diversified again by launching NinjaZone — a high-energy program blending gymnastics, obstacle training, and freestyle movement. NinjaZone quickly became one of the club’s most popular programs, loved by kids and families across Melbourne’s north-west.When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, EKGA faced one of its greatest challenges. With Melbourne clubs closed for nearly 300 days, EKGA refused to stand still — pivoting to online gymnastics classes, fun nights, and virtual events to keep kids moving and connected. When restrictions allowed, the club even transformed its car park into a daily outdoor gym, giving children a safe place to train and parents a much-needed break.
In 2022, EKGA reached a new milestone — dividing into two separate but connected companies to better serve its growing community:Essendon Keilor Gymnastics Academy continued as the competitive gymnastics stream, specialising in Men’s Artistic (MAG), Women’s Artistic (WAG), and Trampoline Gymnastics, remaining proudly affiliated with Gymnastics Australia and Gymnastics Victoria.
More than 100 former gymnasts have been trained and mentored at EKGA to become qualified gymnastics coaches — many of whom continue to inspire the next generation. Some coached while completing high school or university, others now balance coaching with full-time work, and a few — the true EKGA lifers — have made coaching their full-time career. Today, EKGA employs over 60 coaches, managers, and administrators, with three staff members still part of the original 2005 team. Many former gymnasts have returned to enrol their own children, continuing the EKGA legacy across generations.
EKGA isn’t just where gymnasts are made — it’s where coaches, leaders, and lifelong movers are grown.In 2025, EKGA celebrates 20 years of teaching gymnastics in Melbourne, making it fun, and keeping kids safe. From humble beginnings with borrowed equipment to serving over 20,000 children, EKGA has become one of Melbourne’s most respected gymnastics organisations, shaping generations of confident, resilient young people through the joy of movement.
Best Gymnastics Classes Best trampoline classes Essendon, Niddrie, Moonee Ponds, Gowanbrae, East Keilor, Keilor Park, Strathmore
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