Falcon Spartak was founded in 1973 by Wrio Russell, its aim being to offer Men’s Artistic gymnastics to those who were interested in training. Wrio chose the name “Falcon Spartak” because he thought that gymnastics resembled the grace of a falcon and the excitement of a Spartakiad event which was festival of gymnastics held every year in European countries.

Initially training commenced in a school hall at Hurtsmere School with just a box, springboard and a few mats. Later in 1973 the club moved into the new gym, which had a wider range of equipment.

In 1974, the prime minister, Mr. Edward Heath, accepted an invitation to become the President of the club.

The club became successful in competitions very quickly. Martin Davis became the British Schoolboy’s Champion and later went on to become a member of the British team, along with Barry Winch, who also trained at Falcon Spartak. The club had a very strong junior team and five out of the six boys chosen to represent London and the South-East in the National Championships came from the club.

The boys trained hard and the club was at a peak in1978. A team of nine boys went to Switzerland and Germany to train and complete with some of their top gymnasts. This was tremendous experience for everyone. Another team went to Scotland to compete and won first, second and third places in the overall competition.

Early in 1979 Wrio Russell announced he would be leaving the club to teach girls’ gymnastics in Devon. A replacement coach had to be found. Tony Johnson who was then running Bexley gymnastics club, saw prospects at Falcon Spartak and decided to take over. Sadly, less than two months after joining the club, Tony died of a heart attack whilst out running near his home.

In 1981 numbers has dwindled and there was a talk of closing the club down. However, Martin Davis he would be retiring from competitive gymnastics after the next World Championships and he was persuaded to return to the club to see if could get it back on its feet. It wasn’t long before once again there was a good team of young gymnasts training.

In 1985 Martin announced that he would be leaving the club to go and teach gymnastics in the United States. Club Chairman, Alan Davis approached Kay Cook who was coaching at SASSARC to see if she would be interested in running the club, she agreed and took over.

The strength of the boys’ team increased over a period of a few year with club representation in the London NPD teams at Primary 3, Primary 2, Primary 1, Intermediate 3, Intermediate 2.

Over a period of 10 years the whole concept of gymnastics has changed and more emphasis placed on general gymnastics – those who want to train for fun – and more training programmes have been made available for these young people. Within the umbrella of “general gymnastics” came pre- school and special needs, an area where those with a learning or physical disability could also take part. This are was a whole new arena in which it soon became apparent that gymnastics has a very important role to play. Youngsters with learning or physical disabilities should not be denied the opportunity of taking part and a very extensive programme was devised taking into consideration the vast range of disabilities.

When it was set up Falcon Spartak was a club for coaching men’s gymnastics, with the advent of ‘special needs’ this opened the door to girls as well as the club couldn’t only offer gymnastics to boys with special needs it also has to think about girls. At a time when the funding situation changed dramatically and led to many small clubs closing it was decided that girls’ class should be opened that would be an ‘introduction to gymnastics’ class for girls, so no changing the aims of the club. The girls’ class was a great success and really saved the club from closing as it was of course an additional source of income to help pay our way.

The 1990’s saw a series of incredible things happen with the ‘special needs’ gymnasts, a team entered the National Championships and returned home with so may medals it was truly unbelievable. This situation continued with more and more medals being won and the club’s special gymnasts being regarded as one of the best groups in the British Isles. What wonderful times, the achievements for the club were great but of even greater importance were the achievements of the gymnasts, each one with special needs. Alexandra Reeve and Kim Hardy were two gymnasts that set everything moving were both regarded as unbeatable at one point, these two were soon followed by Hannah Gibson, Mandy Pullen, Hannah Westerman, Martin Giles, David Rossouw, Adam Baker, Adam Conie who all went on to achieve unbelievable success.

In 1993 three of the girls won places in the Disabilities National Artistic Squad, they were also in the National Disabilities Display Team along with 9 other gymnasts. Together with eleven other gymnasts they all formed members of the Great Britain team to attend the 11thWorld Gymnaestrada in Gothenburg, Sweden in July 1999. What an event and experience for everyone.

The girls have maintained their presence in the Disabilities National Artistic Squad through until 2001.

As part of the Gymnastics and Movement for People with Disabilities programme there is a possibility of taking part in rhythmic gymnastics. In 1973 when the club was formed its aim in men’s artistic, nobody at that time could have foreseen anyone taking part in rhythmic gymnastics or sports acrobatics, in 2001 five gymnasts won places in the Disabilities National Rhythmic Squad, what an achievement for the gymnasts and the coaches.

Over the last 10 years the direction of the club has changed, whilst still coaching men’s artistic the club it has open its doors to general gymnastics, preschool, girls and special needs (disabilities as it is now called). The coaches have stayed with the club through these changes and are now extremely knowledgeable.

What does the future hold, now in 2001 the training is more demanding, the emphasis of the Government on sport is changing once again, the costs of running the club are increasing but the club manages to survive. There is a wonderful atmosphere in the gym and this is why people will fight to see the club survive every hurdle that is put in front of it. 2001 say gymnasts entered for trials in Women’s Artistic, Men’s Artistic and Rhythmic squads as well as the Disabilities Display Team (with a view to the 2003 Gymnaestrada in Portugal). A new NPD for the GMPD gymnasts sets new far reaching challenges for 2002 onwards another new and exciting ere for gymnasts, parents and coaches.

The new style GMPD NDP competition was held March 2002 and in total there were just 99 entries. A sad reflection of past entries for this competition.

At Rhythmic National Squad Assessment Mandy Pullen was ranked No 1 for Disabilities, Hannah Gibson 4th, Hannah Westerman 5th and Samantha Mercer 8th, Sarah Dugdale was reserve. After several training sessions Sarah Dugdale was invited to become a full member of the squad.

Trials were held for the National GMPD Disabilities Display Team and 9 gymnasts were successful in obtaining places. Kim Hardy, Sarah Dugdale, Samantha Mercer, Hannah Gibson, Hannah Westerman, Mandy Pullen, Emma Kent, Laura-Jane Mitchel, Annie Parsons. In December 2002 due one male gymnast being unable to continue Steven Petrie was also offered a place in the team. The team will take part in the Scottish Gymfest in April 2003 and in the Gymnaestrada in Portugal, and again in Austria.  A truly wonderful experience for all involved.

2002 saw the First International Symposium of Disability Gymnastics held Belfast in November. The symposium ran for 2 days and was followed by the 1st International Disabilities Gymnastics Competition and the British Championships. Three gymnasts from the club, Mandy Pullen, Hannah Gibson and Hannah Westerman were selected for the Great Britain Rhythmic team and won the gold medal.

In the British Championships 2002, Mandy Pullen became British Open Champion, Class 1 Learning Disability), Hannah Westerman British Open Champion, Class 2 Physical/Sensory), Hannah Gibson was runner up in Class 1. Samantha Mercer won the All Round U16 Class and took the gold medals on Ribbon, Roe, Ball, and Hoop.

2002 saw the start of building work on the news Sports Hall at Hurtsmere School, it has only taken 29 years to get this venture off the ground! Perhaps when the club is 30 it will be able to move into new facilities.

We eventually moved into the new Sports Hall with apparatus consisting of 12 metres floor square, high bar, asymmetric bar, three beams of differing heights plus the other Olympic apparatus.  It was a great feeling set up for the very first time.

From 2003 to 2017 our disability gymnasts were renowned for their success Hannah Westerman retained a British title for 9 consecutive years which was recorded as a record by British Gymnastics.  Our gymnasts were successful in being selected for trips to South Africa, Germany and a return trip to South Africa. This success continued with new gymnasts, Rowena Francis, Rebecca Cooper, Michelle Hon, Katie O’Connor retaining National Titles.

2013 saw the club’s 40th birthday and a fantastic display took place all arranged very professionally by one of our gymnasts who organised lighting, guests and an array of comments about the club from previous gymnasts. A fantastic video was produced as a record of the event.

Gymnasts grow up and some leave to follow further education and some retire from the sport, other retire from competitive gymnastics and go into coaching or judging but on the whole stay within the family of gymnastics.

Since 2019 things within the club changed yet again mainly as a result of the COVID 19 outbreak which meant all clubs were closed no training for almost 2 years.  When we did return it was under rigid rules, taking temperatures as gymnasts entered the gym, one way direction around the gym and importantly being very aware of what was going on around us and within British Gymnastics and Special Olympics. Both giving similar, but different, guidelines for clubs to re-open.

During this period of time our general gymnastic classes continued but with pressures of academic work did not take part in competitions until 2018 when a new group entered the Gymnastics for All competition for the first time.  This seems to have fired enthusiasm for competition within in them and these competitions will continue.

Changes in British Gymnastics policies have made a difference to the club and its work in the disability gymnastics programmes, which at the time became non existent.  The club continues to work with Special Olympics.

A difficult period arose in the club between 2016 and 2018 when we were without a treasurer and secretary. This placed a tremendous pressure on the committee but they continued to keep the club flourishing.  A new Treasurer was found and continues to keep the clubs finances in good order.

The club must never forget that since the 1990’s to the present day our main coaches have remained constant, Anne Nutburn and Rose Ricks being the mainstay helped in the past by Jacqui Mercer and now Rebecca Virdi (nee Cooper, National Rhythmic Champion Class 2) and  Michael Hill (ex-gymnast for many years) Without them the club would not survive.

Suddenly 2023 arrived and the club has been open for 50 years.  It was decided to hold a display and family fun event to celebrate this.  Contact was made with Wrio Russell who founder the club back in 1973, he wished the club a successful event and regretted that he would be unable to join us.  However, Les Pike who also knew the club in its infancy did agree to join the celebrations.  The event took place on 1st July 2023.