A registered sex offender, who is part-owner of a Melbourne gymnastics club, has been charged with failing to comply with reporting obligations.

The ABC understands that Steven Andrew Smith, who owns a 50 per cent share in private club Funtastic Gymnastics in Berwick, was arrested earlier this month for breaching a court order.

Company documents list Mr Smith as a shareholder in the gymnastics club, along with one other owner, who the ABC believes is a family member.

The charge against Mr Smith has come to light after Gymnastics Australia announced on Friday evening it was terminating the Berwick club’s membership.

In a statement, Gymnastics Australia said its actions were because of a complaint “related to concerns about child safety and whether the part-owner was a fit and proper person to be involved in a gymnastics club”.

It also said it had received information this week that suggested Funtastic Gymnastics was not compliant with strict requirements for all people working or volunteering at a club to hold a current and valid Working With Children Check.

Funtastic gym sign

Gymnastics Australia says it received a child safety-related complaint about Funtastic last week. (ABC News: Costa Haritos)

The ABC can reveal that in the past, gymnastics officials had concerns about the Funtastic Gymnastics club and had reported the matter to police, who told them no children were in immediate danger.

Officials were concerned enough to continue monitoring the club and were told by staff that Steven Andrew Smith had not been seen at the club at the time.

“How can our system allow people who can’t hold a Working With Children Check to own businesses that provide services to children?” a gymnastics source said.

When the ABC enquired about the matter with police on Friday evening, Victoria Police confirmed officers had arrested a man in Olinda on November 6.

“A 48-year-old Olinda man was charged with [failing] to comply with reporting obligations,” police said on Friday.

“He was bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 22 January, 2026.”

Gymnastics Australia said its National Integrity Unit had initiated an investigation.

The interior of a gymnastics club for children

Prior to Saturday when it closed, Funtastic Gymnastics held classes for children aged three and above. (Facebook)

It said it asked Funtastic to show cause by 5pm on Friday as to why its Gymnastics Australia membership should not be terminated.

“Instead of responding to the show cause notice, Funtastic Gymnastics this afternoon informed Gymnastics Australia that it would close tomorrow, Saturday 22 November,” the statement on Friday night said.

A sign stuck to Funtastic’s front door on Saturday morning read: “Sorry we are closed and not reopening.”

Gymnastics Australia also called on anyone with information about the ownership of Funtastic to come forward by emailing integrity@gymnastics.com.au.

Gymnastics Australia said it had “consulted closely” with Gymnastics Victoria, Sport Integrity Australia and Victoria Police.

The ABC understands Funtastic Gymnastics has between 200 to 300 families on its books.

The head of Athlete Rights Australia, Alison Quigley, said the federal government needed to act to better protect children involved in gymnastics.

“What we’re looking at is something like the childcare crisis except for sport, because we don’t have any federal regulator for sport.

“This is a massive issue and it will continue to be a massive issue because we have the 2032 Olympics coming up. 

“It’s up to the national government to introduce a national safeguarding act for sport and we’ve got to get across all of this.”

Sport Integrity Australia said it was providing support to Gymnastics Australia in relation to the matter.

A Victorian government spokesperson said the government’s reformed Working With Children Check scheme ensured “greater information sharing and transparency so we can take immediate action to protect children”.

“By strengthening the scheme, we’re sending a clear message that any risk to child safety will not be tolerated anywhere,” the spokesperson said.

Funtastic Gymnastics is among three gymnastics clubs to close across Australia following allegations of misconduct in the past six months. 

Skyline Gymnastics Academy in Queensland had its ABN cancelled last month after a coach was charged with child sex offences in a NSW court.

Skybound Gymnastics Club on the Gold Coast closed down several months ago after former coach Wei Jun Lee was charged with sexually touching a child. 

Funtastic Gymnastics has been contacted for comment.

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