Parents of Manatee County tumblers rejoice!
USA Gymnastics coach has joined Evo Athletics to coach cart-wheelers and elite athletes alike.
Aimee Boorman, the longtime coach of four-time gold medalist Simone Biles and coach of the US Gymnastics team that won the gold medal in Rio this month, announced Monday she was parting ways with Houston-based World Champions Centre. The WCC is operated by Biles family.
She is also parting ways with Biles, who she has coached for the past 11 years.
Boorman made the move to Florida’s Suncoast so her husband James could pursue a job in Bradenton.
The couple has two boys, Chris, 12, and Ben, 7.
“I’m excited about getting my family on a new adventure and just having the opportunity to join a fantastic facility,” Boorman said at a news conference at Evo Athletics. “I know everyone here is interested in nurturing children and bringing them up to be the best they can be.”
After parting ways w/ @WCCentre2014 & Olympian @Simone_Biles, @Salto_Coach joins husband, 2 kids in Manatee County https://t.co/Rn4xircZ9C
— Carlos R. Munoz (@ReadCarlos) August 30, 2016
Evo Gym is located just north of University Parkway at 7188 15th St. E. in Manatee County.
Kyle and Lydia Lawton own the sports center which offers gymnastics, cheerleading, tumbling, and a ninja warrior program, which debuts around mid-October.
Kyle Lawton says he is working to launch a volleyball academy and an adult gymnastics area.
Adding a world-class coach boosts their gymnastics program to another level, Lawton says.
“Having a star like (Boorman) to attract not just gymnasts but anyone interested in athletics is enormous,” said Lawton. “I think we are going to be seeing people coming from all over the country, not just to visit but relocate for this.”
Hear what @EVO_Athletics CEO Kyle Lawton had to say about @Salto_Coach joining his staff / @USAGym https://t.co/4VzBwPi05R
— Carlos R. Munoz (@ReadCarlos) August 30, 2016
Boorman said the Evo Athletics gym is dedicated to making gymnastics fun for children.
“I think that is the most important thing: to be passionate about what you’re doing,” the 43-year-old coach said. “Especially, as you get up in the levels they are going to be dedicating so much time and they are going to be missing out on things. They have to love what they’re doing.
“I’m all about promoting family vacations, friend’s birthday parties and things like that. I don’t think they need to live in the gym because gymnastics is just a part of their life, it’s not who they are.”
Boorman said it was difficult to leave Houston, and Biles. She did not rule out a reunion with the Olympic champion.
“Overall, I’m going to miss her dearly, miss seeing her every day, because we have been together almost every day of her life since she was 8,” she said.