Budding gymnasts from across the region showcased their skills earlier this month, with PCYC Dalby hosting its Regional Gymnastics Carnival that saw 80 gymnasts from PCYCs Dalby, Fernvale and South Burnett participating in an inclusive competition for all levels.
Foundation and Beginner gymnasts all walked away with a participation certificate and medal, and Intermediate and Advanced gymnasts were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze on each apparatus and then received an overall medal depending on their scores.
This carnival was an example of how PCYC Queensland’s Gymnastics program is changing the face of a sport renowned as tough and high-stakes. It’s doing this simply by focusing on joy, health, and personal growth – with a little competitive spirit sprinkled in.
PCYC Dalby’s Club Coordinator Claire Gordon said the Dalby Regional Gymnastic Carnival allows recreational gymnasts the opportunity to have a competition experience without the same stress as an official competition.
“We want people to feel welcome and included, regardless of their skill level,” she said.
“It was absolutely fantastic to see our gymnasts of all levels trying their best and having fun while being able to have a go at a competitive event.
“We want everyone to feel that they belong at a PCYC gymnastics class whether or not they are interested in competing. It is an incredible way for young people to explore the amazing things their body can do, move it in a healthy, fun way, and connect with each other and our awesome coaches.”
By age 12, Leah was facing over 100 criminal charges and trapped in a cycle of battling addiction and destructive choices. For her, boxing has been more than a sport – it’s been a much-needed lifeline.
The physicality of boxing —a PCYC foundation sport since 1948—has instilled discipline and resilience in people for decades, transforming lives like Leah’s. Nowadays, many young Queenslanders first experience boxing by attending our free After Dark youth development program for 12-18s experiencing disengagement.
Last year, we ran 1,217 After Dark sessions across the State, with 20,559 engagements.
Unfortunately, the need is still great, and many other young Queenslanders are on a similar path right now. Leah believes having access to these free programs is crucial for at-risk young people to change their course.
Leah says, “It’s good to do this sort of exercise then, you get a better sleep, it takes you away from other things – you get a feed and are in a place you know you are wanted.”
As a PCYC Gym+Fitness Member, you’re already an important part of a community that helps young Queenslanders make good choices by providing opportunities to be healthier and physically active.
Will you please consider increasing your impact by making a small tax-deductible donation? You’ll help change the stories of more young Queenslanders like Leah.
2025 is the year of the Fun Squad, the bright, bold new look for PCYC Queensland’s outside school hours services.
As the largest provider of outside school hours services in the state, PCYC Queensland knows what schoolchildren need to bookend their school days and fill their holidays.
Fun fuels minds, friendships, and when activities are fun and engaging, they can increase wellbeing, confidence, and boost curiosity.
“We have experience and research behind us, and children and young people are at the centre of what we do at PCYC Queensland,” said Fun Squad General Manager Bev Book.
“We know what matters to parents is that their children are happy and thriving in a positive, nurturing and inclusive space – and what matter to children is, are we having fun?
“The Fun Squad provides both. We focus on sustainability, friendship, leadership, inclusivity, wellbeing and community spirit.”
PCYC Queensland’s Fun Squad offers activities including pickleball, mindfulness, crafting, cooking, gardening and more, as well as the organisation’s leadership program for 5 to 11-year-olds, Cadet Club.
“Cadet Club is an incredibly popular leadership program which involves children learning about leadership, relationships, and emotional awareness. It also has guest teachers like community members, local Elders, and of course QPS officers – PCYC and QQPS share DNA,” said Bev.
“Our 750-person strong Fun Squad teams are backed by more than1,500 PCYC Queensland support staff, 2,700 volunteers and the Queensland Police Service. We are strong and well-supported.”
Fun Squad branding is bright and bold, to match the ethos of the program, and will be rolled out in all services across the state over the coming weeks.
Principal of Waterford State School Danielle Young said Fun Squad was like a home away from home for many of the school’s students.
“Having Waterford Fun Squad as part of our school community is amazing,” she said.
“Our students love heading to Fun Squad after school and I know our staff and parents are relieved of some of their stresses knowing that our Waterford Warriors are safe and sound and having an awesome time.”
For many children and families, the thought of starting Prep or ‘big school’ can be an equally exciting and daunting prospect. And for some, this also involves starting outside school hours care (OSHC) – meaning before school care, after school care, or both.
Whilst some children may be familiar with attending an early learning service already, we know that the progression from home to school is a huge step. At PCYC Queensland we recognise this is an important milestone for both children and parents alike, and we’re here to help you get ready for the transition.
Although most commonly known as a leading charity providing youth and community services, PCYC Queensland is also one of the state’s largest approved OSHC providers.
With over 100 services across Queensland supporting more than 25,000 children each year, our dedicated and experienced OSHC teams are with you every step of the way to help ensure your family’s transition to school and outside school hours care is a positive and successful one.
And the great part is, our OSHC families become part of the PCYC Queensland community, where you can access your local PCYC Queensland club and all the benefits it offers!
PCYC Queensland OSHC services value the importance of play in childhood, and we are committed to providing a safe and fun service for your child. All our OSHC services are tailored to each local community, and we develop programs that meet the needs of children, families and their schools. We know that each child, class and school is different, however we tailor our procedures to ensure a smooth and supportive transition from the classroom into our PCYC OSHC environment.
Each PCYC Queensland OSHC program is developed to include a balance of play, learning, respect, awareness, safety and leadership. We provide a safe and fair environment to allow all children to further develop school readiness skills including self-care, attention and concentration, physical skills, emotional regulation, and language, play and social skills. Our experienced and innovative Educators also support your children’s efforts to enhance their self-esteem and independence.
Mum of three Juliet Grigg loves PCYC OSHC, and all three children have attended the same service over the years.
“Our three children have all attended PCYC OSHC for before and after school care, and even during vacations. Our kids love it. It’s a great opportunity for them to spend more time with their classmates in a safe environment, and there are so many different activities for them to do and the carers are all dedicated and look after the kids so well,” said Ms Grigg.
“PCYC OSHC is so important for us as it allows my husband and I to work, knowing that our kids are being well cared for, and more importantly, that they’re having fun.”
In helping parents and children get ready for Prep and starting school aged care, at PCYC Queensland we believe there are several key elements involved in a successful transition, including:
Orientation
Become familiar with your PCYC OSHC service! We encourage you to visit the service, observe the spaces and meet the Educators who will be engaging with your child.
Preparing for the transition
New locations can be overwhelming! Where possible, we welcome and encourage new Prep children to attend vacation care during January to meet the Educators, make new friends and become familiar with a multi-age environment before school starts.
Parental engagement
We actively seek and encourage families to get involved in the service! Parents’ ideas, experiences and skills are greatly valued and enable us to extend each child’s interests, abilities and knowledge.
School partnership
PCYC OSHC works alongside your school to ensure a smooth and supportive transition, and Prep children are escorted to and from their classrooms in Before and After School Care to ensure they are supervised and supported to and from school.
Our experienced and supportive PCYC Queensland OSHC teams are here to support you and your child’s safe and happy transition to Prep and outside school hours care.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family into the PCYC Queensland OSHC community!
To find out more and how you can enroll your Prep child, please contact us today.
If the future of our communities rests with these young people, it is in good hands.
During the intensity of ex-Cyclone Alfred across South East Queensland over the past week, three of PCYC Queensland’s Emergency Services Cadet Units were activated to volunteer alongside their local SES Units and assist with filling sandbags for the community.
PCYC’s amazing Adult Leaders mobilised a workforce of Cadets to do the jobs that would usually be done by skilled SES volunteers, leaving the SES to tackle the big jobs of tarping roofs and dealing with emergencies in the lead up to this major weather event.
Our Somerset Unit was activated with the Local Cadet Coordinator at the helm, as well as Sergeant TJ Baker lending a hand.
What a wonderful contribution our young people are making to their communities – to say that we are proud of them, and of the Adult Leaders who are making this happen, is a huge understatement!
About PCYC’s Emergency Services Cadets
The Emergency Services Cadets (ESC) program is delivered in partnership with PCYC Queensland and Queensland’s Emergency Services, thanks to the support of Queensland Police Services (QPS) and Queensland Fire Department (QFD).
The ESC program is offered to young people aged 12 to 17 and usually operates out of an Emergency Service facility (such as a local SES headquarters or Rural Fire Service station). The Cadet ‘Unit’ is managed under the leadership and guidance of volunteer Adult Leaders with mentoring and activities from Emergency Services personnel.
The aim of the program is to provide young people with a safe, fun and inclusive environment that offers them practical life skills and leadership opportunities. Cadets are provided with a uniform and participation is free, we just ask Cadets to supply their own black boots. The program runs concurrently with the school year and a Cadet Unit will usually meet once a week during the school term. There are 25 ESC Unit locations across Queensland where Cadets are encouraged to explore a career in the Emergency Services, either as a volunteer or in a paid role.
For more information about your local Emergency Services Cadets program contact PCYC Somerset.
This week was unforgettable for many of the remarkable young people who participate in PCYC programs.
From Sunday through to Thursday, the NRL HOGs tour roared into five PCYCs – South Burnett, Goondiwindi, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Toowoomba. Each morning, NRL stars including Brad “Freddy” Fittler and Greg Inglis joined our young people for team-building activities and program sessions— and what a fantastic experience it was for everyone.
The engagement was outstanding and the young footy fans were given an experience they’ll always treasure. The success of the tour is a direct result of the hard work and dedication put in by our program staff, QPS partners and the youth participation teams. Coordinating such a huge effort takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work, and I’m very proud of the efforts of everyone at the clubs who made it all come together. I’m also appreciative of the time and effort the NRL put into these visits, and the genuine connection and engagement with young people which was visible to all who were there.
This week highlighted the strength of our partnerships and the impact we can have when we work together. I look forward to seeing this collaboration continue to grow in the future.
Thank you again to all involved for making this week a huge success!
The young people, who are engaged with PCYC Queensland’s youth programs, participated in team-building activities with NRL representatives including founder Brad Fittler along with mentors from PCYC and Queensland Police Service (QPS).
The HOGs Tour, now in its 14th year, is touring Queensland for only the second time, stopping at regional areas and championing the importance of rugby league and sport as a positive force in regional communities.
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said the NRL HOGs team spending the morning at PCYC Toowoomba was a fantastic opportunity for the young people in the area.
“We are really excited for the team at PCYC Queensland to be working with our QPS partners and the NRL on this HOGs Tour, which really celebrates young leaders in Queensland communities,” he said.
“The young leaders involved are integral parts of their communities, they are very involved with PCYC and they truly embody the best of Queensland’s young people.”
Brad said the HOGS tour was a great experience for all involved.
“The NRL HOGS National Tour is all about connecting with and celebrating regional communities who are the fabric of our great game,” Fittler said.
“They register to play, watch our NRL & NRLW stars, and contribute so much to Rugby League. This tour is our opportunity to give back to them.
“We ride into town, invite all the juniors out on the field for a community clinic and provide them dinner.
“We visit local businesses in each town, including PCYC Clubs and Westpac branches, connecting with the entire community. I can’t thank our amazing partner Westpac for making this happen again in 2025.”
Cooling down is a vital part of a gymnast’s routine in the gymnastics hall, but sometimes we forget that cooling down is just as important as warming up!
After spending time on the floor, it’s important to let the body cool down from its high body temperature and heart rate. Cooling down immediately after a gymnastics class can also reduce the risk of injury and muscle soreness in the following days. The best way to cool down after your gymnastics class is to stretch.
Suggested Cool Down Routine
Standing Quad Stretch
Stand nice and tall. Lift your heel up behind you and grab it with your hand. Pull heel to bottom until you feel a stretch. Keep your knee pointed down to the ground and positioned below your hip. Hold for 20 – 30 seconds. Repeat on the other leg.
Butterfly Stretch
Sit down on the floor with the soles of your feet together. Grab ankles and rest elbows on knees. Push your head and your stomach down as far as you can. Hold for 20 – 30 seconds.
Closed Pike Stretch
Keep a nice straight back and straight legs. Reach forward pushing stomach to knees hold for 20 – 30 seconds
Shoulder Stretch
In a seated or standing position, reach your arm across your chest. Use the other arm to push up close to the body. Hold for 20 – 30 seconds. Repeat on the other arm.
Seal Stretch
Lay on your stomach with your hands on the ground just below your rib cage. Gently raise your upper body up until your arms are straight. Hold for 20 – 30 seconds.
All PCYC Queensland classes follow the Gymnastics Queensland syllabus which includes warm ups and cool downs.
If you miss the start of gymnastics class, your coach might ask you to warm up before jumping into activities. This is simply to keep you safe and make sure gymnasts don’t injure yourself themselves during class.
Discover more about our gymnastics program and register now!
PCYC Queensland’s range of Jibbitz are available – and very popular!
Not only are they a bright, bold style statement, they are also a way for Fun Squad families to help support PCYC Queensland’s youth programs that are at the heart of our charitable mission.
Every Jibbitz sold will help fund programs that raise the gaze of young people through free diversion, development and leadership programs, making Fun Squad Jibbitz a simple, affordable way to help children take an active part in making their community a great place to live.
Small purchase. Seriously Fun style statement. BIG impact.
If you’re interested, head to your nearest Fun Squad to find out more!
Kids in the Kitchen is Fun Squad’s new program helping children learn about food, nutrition and cooking.
This program has been specially developed by a nutritionist to help Fun Squad children. Throughout the program, children explore a variety of fun and engaging activities that will teach them important life skills and help them make healthy food choices. Each week, Fun Squad children dive into different aspects of food and nutrition with both practical and theory-based activities. From learning about the food groups to exploring kitchen safety, and from creating delicious recipes to understanding the importance of balanced meals, this program is designed to be both educational and enjoyable.
Fun Squad’s goal is to make learning about food and nutrition exciting and accessible for everyone.
Get ready to have fun, try new things, and become a Menu Master!
Kids in the Kitchen is being run in Fun Squads across the state now. To learn more, simply speak to our friendly Educators at your local Fun Squad.
There’s just something about pickleball.
The fast-paced, easy-to-learn game has swept the world in recent years, attracting players who might find traditional court sports less accessible or challenging to get into.
That’s probably why it’s the perfect sport for Fun Squad, PCYC’s outside school hours programs with services right across Queensland – all of whom are – or soon will be – embracing pickleball.
“Over the past year, pickleball has spread across all our services and it’s easy to see why. Seriously Fun is our motto – and pickleball certainly ticks that box,” said Fun Squad General Manager, Bev Book.
“We find that children of all ages just love it, it appeals to all of them and it’s a great way for them to keep active.
“Our teams love it too – and play it frequently which is resulting in stronger teams working together to achieve our mission of safe and healthy communities.”
Kylie Morris, Fun Squad Gilston Service Manager, says the sport combines fun, fitness and lots of interpersonal skills, too.
“It’s a game that children of all ages have been able to play and understand, and it supports their development, leadership skills, cooperation and encourages positive sportsmanship,” she said.
“We have a strong focus on happy and healthy children that come to us to have fun, and this is all evident when they play pickleball.”
At Mother Teresa Fun Squad, pickleball is a relatively new addition, being introduced in December. It’s clear it is there to stay!
“Our children are really enjoying pickleball and all the fun that it brings,” said Service Manager Kayla McGee.
“We have seen a boost in morale amongst our children and team members, and things like sportsmanship, social skills and confidence are increasing.”
So successful has the rollout of pickleball at Fun Squad services been that more and more PCYC Queensland clubs are also offering pickleball to their members.
