Gymnastics club DC Diamonds are representing Britain on the world stage as they form part of the largest-ever team at the sport's biggest celebration.

DC Diamonds, based in Folkestone, Ashford and Wingham, have sent a team of 12 gymnasts, aged 11-17, to the World Gymnaestrada in Amsterdam.

They will be joined by 20,000 participants from 50 other nations to create a spectacular festival of gymnastics at the event, which began on Sunday and runs until Saturday, August 5.

Debie Cooper, head coach and owner of the club, said: "It's such an amazing opportunity. Gymnastics is a very hard sport and to represent your country in it is insanely difficult.

"It's a once-in-a-four-year opportunity to go into the Olympic Stadium where other Olympians have competed and be filled with all of that spirit and energy.

"I want all my gymnasts to come away from the event buzzing and be really energised. The older ones are at the age where they're just finishing their GCSEs or going into their A-Levels.

"To try to keep them invested in the sport around that age is extremely difficult so I'm hoping that it will give them the energy to be able to carry on with their gymnastics."

First staged in 1953, the World Gymnaestrada is a non-competitive and inclusive event held every four years that celebrates the joy of the sport, reflecting the new vision launched earlier this year for gymnastics in the UK to deliver an uplifting experience for all.

The event is open to everybody, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, culture, or ability or disability.

DC Diamonds were due to perform up to five times throughout the week, including forming part of a mass group ‘Great Britain’ team performance alongside the other 30 British clubs in attendance.

The focus on providing an enjoyable and memorable experience for participants and the audience alike is what is at the heart of the World Gymnaestrada and why this year British Gymnastics is supporting a record number of gymnasts to take part.

"They're all good kids at DC Diamonds," added Cooper. "I've known them for years, and they've all grown up together.

"And for me, this is their last big thing before some of them go off and do their apprenticeships, A-Levels or college. "So, it's a bit of a bittersweet goodbye.

"We're a club born out of lockdown. I was made redundant during that time, and I did gymnastics when I was younger, so I thought well, okay, let's start my own club.

"It just feels like a family and the dedication that's gone on from the girls ahead of this event is absolutely phenomenal."

British Gymnastics will be bringing the joy and celebration of the World Gymnaestrada experience to life across its digital channels throughout the event, and you can read more about the new vision for gymnastics in the UK to deliver an uplifting experience for all at www.british-gymnastics.org/vision