Circus now in a class of its own

By Rebecca Fraser
IT might have been a bit of a juggle but an Endeavour Hills group has finally been given the go ahead to start circus classes in its suburb.
Young circus enthusiasts will now be able to take part in the Big Top classes after the program, to be held at the Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre, was finally granted insurance coverage.
The move ended an 18-month battle to obtain suitable insurance protection and Gym team leader Lee Whittaker said the centre was delighted to be able to finally start the classes.
Ms Whittaker said the Big Top program had been recognised by the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), as based at Swinburne University’s Prahran campus.
NICA aims to nurture contemporary circus and physical theatre performers and two of its students and a teacher will be conducting the Endeavour Hills program.
Ms Whittaker said the two NICA students had spent countless hours forming a level’s manual that graded each activity and highlighted to the insurance company that the program was safe.
“We have been pushing for this for the past 18 months and originally the insurance company said no.
“They had their reasons and we could see their point but we have had to work hard to show them that nothing is going to be remotely dangerous,” she said.
The classes will allow people aged five years and older to learn the trapese, walk the tight rope and juggle, as well as dabbling in acrobatics, clowning and physical comedy.
The Leisure Centre will host a Big Top Open Day on Friday 30 June with two session already fully booked out.
Ms Whittaker said many people had been waiting anxiously for the program to start and demand was already extremely high.
“All kids look at the circus in awe. People are always amazed at the things they do. But when you break everything down into small pieces and have proper training you can do it as well,” she said.
The gym leader said the program was not only targeted at sports minded children but would also foster creativity, build confidence and teach people of all shapes, sizes and abilities exciting new skills.
Ms Whittaker said the centre would also be keen to organise performances further down the track.
“Everyone is so excited. We pushed and pushed for this and kept getting the door and the brick wall. We always thought there was a chance if we could show them (insurance company) what we wanted to do. We worked in our own time to clinch the deal and through the work of the two determined students it has finally happened.
“We cannot wait to start,” she said.
For more information on the Big Top classes and for Open Day times call the Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre on 9700-4697.