What started as a father’s love of gymnastics, dance and children has now become a valuable part of Brandon and its surrounding communities.
GOB Gymnastics, Dance and Cheerleading is not just celebrating another successful year in 2003, they are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Brandon Township-based gym.
‘I was in gymnastics and dance until I was 14 years old,? said GOB owner Paul Frezza. ‘When I turned 14, I wanted to quit and play football, but the gym I trained at wanted me to coach, so at that age I began coaching younger kids in gymnastics at the Birmingham YMCA.?
He also coached at Berkley High School. Years passed, and Frezza found himself opening his own gym.
‘When my children were in school at HT Burt Elementary, the principal had asked for parents to volunteer in any way they could. At this point the school had no gym class, so I started coming in a few days a week to do some beginning gymnastics classes,? he said. ‘I was working as a financial planner at the time, and found that I really still loved to coach and work with children. Plus I was filling a niche within the community.?
After the success of the classes at the local elementary, Frezza circulated a flier asking for participants in a gymnastics club.
‘The club started with about 60 kids signed up,? Frezza said. ‘In a year, I had 300 kids sign up.?
Inevitably, GOB Gymnastics was born. Now GOB teaches and trains about 500 students each week. They have grown from teaching basic tumbling, to teaching advanced gymnastics on apparatus, numerous forms of dance and also competitive cheerleading.
‘We added dance in 1997 and it was a huge success,? Frezza said. ‘We have classes in Irish and Gaelic dance, tap, jazz, ballet and a hip-hop class for high school aged students.?
Most recently, GOB has added cheerleading to its repertoire. Cheerleading classes range from beginners to advanced competitive cheer and are coached by Angelique Chaiser, a nationally-renowned cheerleading judge and competitor. Students range from high school students, all the way down to the next generation of cheerleaders.
Aside from regular classes, GOB also puts on summer camps for various activities. Camps range from day long ventures to two to three day clinics.
‘The summer camps are exciting for the kids,? Frezza said. ‘They really enjoy them.?
GOB is a facility where gymnasts, dancers and cheerleaders can start young, and continue to grow within the school. The coaching staff nurtures children from the very beginning until the time they leave for college. They also offer summer camps and preschool classes.
‘Do not wait to grow up,? said Frezza. ‘Start to cheer at an early age.?
GOB Gymnastics, Dance and Cheerleading is located at 142 Harbor Pointe in Brandon Township. Call coaches Paul or Julie Frezza at (248) 627-6317.