Juin Rush has been involved with gymnastics at the PCYC North Sydney for 40 years, making it a second home for hundreds of children.
A stay-at-home mother arrived at the North Sydney Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) in 1983. Juin Rush and her two children, aged 10 and 6, were looking for an activity to join. They chose gymnastics. Little did she know that just a few lessons would significantly flip her life: Juin became a gymnastics instructor, dedicating her time, for the last 40 years, to the PCYC.
“A friend recommended it, so we went along for the first lesson and the kids loved it. The instructor said I could do it, too. ‘Go out and get your qualifications,’ he said. I had no background in gymnastics, but after a year or two, I got my qualifications and started teaching,” Juin says.
The Cammeray local was not the only one staying as a coach and participating in the club activities as a volunteer. Her two children also became instructors.
“I’ve managed my club within their club and I volunteered for many years on committees and things like that. I still help out when they have barbecues or other activities. My two children also got their coaching degrees and they’re still there.”
And to her, the magic key to keeping the spirit up and the willingness to be part of the club is the passion and love for what she and her children do.
“We love the people around and you must love what you’re doing. That’s what makes you passionate about things. If you don’t enjoy going along every day, it’s a burden and won’t last,” she explains.
But her dedication and love for the North Sydney PCYC has been clouded by the recent announcement of its closure, scheduled by October, 2024.
“I think it was a nasty move. We’ve fought to keep the club two other times, 25 years ago. But this time, they did everything without advising North Sydney members. We knew nothing about it until four months after they had given the place away,” she comments.
Right now Juin has about 90 enrolled for gymnastics.
“This place is convenient for families, and with gymnastics, children learn a lot of discipline, to be aware of looking after their bodies. It’s going to devastate all the members that are there now, but it’s also going to limit a lot of children that can’t afford other facilities.”
She also believes that what the club brings to families goes beyond the activities and being a ‘convenient’ place near home.
“I feel like their second mother. I’ve got a few kids that, even their parents say, ‘Oh, your second mother wants to do this or that,’” she softly laughs.
“I’ll be very sorry to see it go, but there’s not much I can do. What I can say is that I loved it. I even got a couple of awards presented to me for service, but I’ve enjoyed the experience more than anything.”
