On a humid August afternoon in Clarkesville, the rhythmic thud of feet hitting a spring floor echoes through the renovated mill on Grant Street. The air smells faintly of chalk and new vinyl. Outside, cars pull up and children spill out in leotards, ponytails bouncing, parents carrying Stanley cups as they hustle inside.
Not long ago, this part of the old mill sat quiet, as budget cuts closed the county-run gymnastics program it once housed. For the hundreds of local children who once trained here, the loss was more than the shuttering of a building — it felt like the disappearance of an entire community.
Now, this part of the old mill is buzzing again, home to Reign Elite Gymnastics — a family-run program co-owned by the mother-daughter duo of Neva and Kati Daniels, which began in Cleveland, Georgia, and has now planted roots in Clarkesville.
“We wanted to bring the magic we created in Cleveland to Clarkesville,” said Neva. “The same love, passion, and spirit that make our Cleveland gym so special.”
Program saved by privatization
The story of Reign Elite’s arrival began with the difficult decision to liquidate the county-funded program. The move, according to Habersham County Manager Tim Sims, came down to simple math.
“It was mainly due to budgetary constraints in last year’s budget,” Sims said. “Privatizing gymnastics has saved the county approximately $240,000. There was $470,300 budgeted for expenses last year and $231,300 in revenues to offset those expenses, so the $240,000 is the difference the county is saving by privatizing that activity.”
Recognizing that Habersham was about to lose a vital piece of its community, the Daniels family stepped in to fill the gap. “This gave us the opportunity to help the community keep the doors open so Habersham County would still have gymnastics and cheerleading,” said Neva.
On August 9, the Clarkesville branch opened its doors. Backed by the Reign team and committed supporters, more than $30,000 went into transforming the facility, adding new equipment, upgrading safety measures, and reworking the floor plan to accommodate more students and improve efficiency.
A different kind of gym
The facility features equipment for all four Olympic events, pit bars, preschool apparatus, a competition gymnastics floor, a competition cheer floor, and a middle/high school recreational competition cheer floor. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, complimentary coffee in the gym’s parent viewing area, an additional lobby viewing area, and 24-hour security coverage.
But what truly distinguishes Reign, Daniels insists, is its people. “The majority of our staff are certified educators — elementary, middle, or high school — who either currently teach in Habersham or White County or have taught here in the past,” she said. “We also have retired military and certified gymnastics judges. It’s a well-rounded, professional, and experienced coaching staff.”
That staff-to-athlete dynamic is something young gymnasts have noticed and appreciate.
“I love that the coaches meet you where you are and help each one of the gymnasts instead of focusing on only a couple,” said Hazel, 11, who has trained for eight years. “They actually stay with us and coach instead of leaving us alone.”
Concerning the transition, Lenay Gerrin, who currently serves as Habersham County’s Recreation Special Events and Programs Manager expressed enthusiasm for the enterprise, stating, “their dedication allows the community to keep access to the sport, giving athletes of all ages the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop a love for everything gymnastics has to offer.”
From acrobatics to elite coaching
Neva Daniels’ devotion to gymnastics began early. At age five, she started in acrobatics and dance. Her mother saw her passion and moved her into gymnastics, where she quickly excelled. By 14, Daniels was coaching.
Her training came from some of the sport’s most respected names, including the late Pat Yeager, a USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame member, and Craig Smith, a pioneer in trampoline and tumbling.
“Craig often brought in world-renowned coaches from across the globe,” Daniels recalled. “Gymnastics is always evolving, and I believe staying educated is essential to giving athletes the best possible training.”
Building a foundation for life
For both Daniels women, the sport’s value goes far beyond the physical.
“Gymnastics builds body awareness, confidence, discipline, and focus,” Neva said. “It teaches resilience, the idea that progress comes from effort, not instant success. And those skills carry over into every other sport, be it diving, track, volleyball, cheerleading, and into life.”
Elise, 13, a gymnast of 10 years, has seen that firsthand.
“I feel like the overall coaching is more positive and encouraging,” Elise said. “The coaches help us where we are and don’t force us to do skills that we aren’t comfortable with.”
She added, “I have seen so many girls grow mentally and in their skills.”
A fresh start, but with familiar faces
While the program is new, a few of the ties to the county’s legacy are still visible. Reign has continued coaching many of the athletes from the former public program and has retained some of the same class formats, though, as Neva Daniels puts it, “bigger, better, and more exciting than ever.”
It has also expanded opportunities. The gym now offers multiple competitive gymnastics and cheerleading levels, alongside recreational classes for children aged 16 months to 18 years.
For Heather Benton, whose daughters transitioned from the county program, the change has been energizing.
“As my daughters transitioned from the county program to Reign, we all understandably felt a bit nervous, but also a lot of excitement and hope for bigger and better experiences. This change has impacted our family by reigniting a love of competitive gymnastics and fostering a renewed commitment to the nurturing and growth of our daughters’ skills,” Benton told Now Habersham.
Accessibility and affordability
Privatization often raises questions about access, but the Daniels emphasize they’re committed to keeping Reign within reach. Prices are slightly higher than the county’s, but the staff bring higher credentials and receive better pay. The difference, however, in cost is minimal, said Neva, and for families who previously paid out-of-county fees, the new rates are actually more affordable.
Discounts are available for military families, multiple siblings, multi-class enrollments, and more. Families can pay month-to-month, with no long-term contracts, and the gym operates on a generous “you only pay for what you attend” policy.
Scholarships aren’t in place yet, but Daniels said individual families have stepped in to help cover costs when needed.
Community at the core
Reign’s commitment to community runs deep. Beyond the gym floor, the Clarkesville location plans to sponsor local schools and athletic initiatives, join the Chamber of Commerce, and respond when needs arise.
“If the community or businesses are in need, we’ll do our best to help out,” they offered.
That ethos mirrors the welcoming atmosphere parents say they feel when they walk through the door. One mom, Katie Honeycutt, stated, “I never expected to be a cheer and gymnastics mom, and you don’t realize how much skill, talent, and athleticism it takes until you’re in it. I fell into the role of cheer mom, and it’s a lot of work. Reign offers so many varieties of programs, and they are incredibly inclusive.”
Looking ahead
The Clarkesville branch has 75 students and is growing strong. On November 1, the competitive gymnastics team will hold a mock meet at the Cleveland location. Their first official competition is scheduled for December 6, and All-Star cheerleading teams will begin competing in February 2026.
For the Daniels, those milestones are just the beginning. They see the Clarkesville gym as more than a training facility. It’s the preservation of an entire ecosystem that ensures another generation of Habersham gymnasts can learn, grow, and thrive right here at home.
New student Cataleigh Scott sums it up best: “I am very excited to get started.”
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Get in Contact: To learn more about Reign Elite of Clarkesville, visit the facility at 583 Grant Street, Clarkesville, GA 30523, call 706-898-3040, or email office@reignelitegym.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
