Published: 01/01/2026 - 8:00 AM
Philadelphia & Phoenixville, PA — Thursday, 01/01/26 — The Greater Philadelphia YMCA is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of its City Gymnastics team’s debut competition. On December 20, 2025, 9 of the City Team’s 12 gymnasts competed in the Eastern Pennsylvania Girls Gymnastics YMCA League, held at the Phoenixville YMCA.
Sisters Evangelina and Jubilee Jyn swept 1st and 2nd place in Xcel Bronze division All-Around. Hannah Woycoff-Colon finished 3rd. This was an impressive performance for a team founded just six months earlier, with just 1.5 hours of training each week, coached by Darlene Malone, the Association’s Gymnastics Director.
WHY IT MATTERS:
- Almost 5 million children participate in gymnastics nationwide. But a high cost of entry can keep many children locked out.
- Despite the success of high-profile gymnasts, gymnastics suffers from noticeable wealth and racial disparities.
- Organizations like the YMCA help bridge the gap through financial assistance and other subsidized opportunities.
The team is an effort by the Greater Philadelphia YMCA (GPY) to expand the sport to youngsters at its five city branches. With a new dedicated gymnastics center in Haverford, the GPY had the necessary infrastructure to make the sport available to more children. The goal is for this team to qualify for YMCA League and State Championships, which will require competition in 2 more meets.
“We’re so proud of Evangelina, Jubilee and Hannah. What a great debut for them, and for the rest of the team,” says Shaun Elliott, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia YMCA. “And kudos to Darlene Malone for coaching the team so effectively. I know how satisfying it is for her to see talent nurtured, potential reached, and the sport furthered. We can’t wait to see what the team does at its next meet in January.”
References:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/191908/participants-in-gymnastics-in-the-us-since-2006/
https://zipdo.co/gymnastics-statistics/
https://ncys.org/the-hidden-costs-of-youth-sports-financial-strain-and-emotional-toll/