Gymnastics moves forward with sportscotland cash

Thursday 24 August 2006

Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair, sportscotland, today announced a sportscotland investment of £315,000 to the governing body of gymnastics in Scotland.

The funding will go towards organisational and club development, volunteer training, player improvement, performance development and coaching in general, including a National Performance Development Coach position.

With over 8,300 members registered, the Scottish Gymnastics Association (SGA) is growing from strength to strength; in fact, this past year its membership increased nearly 15 per cent. Recent research has also shown that club membership is booming across Scotland and circa 40,000 across the land regularly participate in the sport. On the performance side Scottish gymnasts are ever improving on the international stage, with three Commonwealth Games medals in the past two Games (Adam Cox’s Bronze in the High Bar in Melbourne the latest) and a number of top-five finishes to be proud of.

The 2006/07 funding will allow the SGA to produce a volunteer strategy for gymnastics in Scotland by June 2007; train tutors across different gymnastics disciplines and work towards the implementation of the United Kingdom Coaching Certificate for gymnastics in Scotland; and work on increasing participation and performance in the sport.

Among the governing body’s long-term targets are to raise the minimum standards for Scottish squad selection to ensure they are equivalent to standards set by British Gymnastics; increase the number of regional squads and coaches in Scotland; develop partnership relations with schools, clubs and local authorities; work towards medal achievement at the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games; and increase individual SGA membership by 5 per cent per annum.

Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland, said: “I am delighted to announce a sportscotland investment of £315,000 to Scottish Gymnastics.

“The Association is both expanding its membership and participation levels and working diligently to meet and exceed its elite performance targets and this is to be commended.”

Mike Roberts, Chief Executive, Scottish Gymnastics, said: “We are delighted with this comprehensive investment from sportscotland and, as in previous years, will be looking to underpin our structures with a long-term focus on developing the whole sport in Scotland. This includes a focus on improving the fundamental skills of all children as well as increasing participation numbers within our sport and the opportunities for them to achieve at elite level.

“We are particularly pleased with the investment in the new National Performance Development Coach which will see us employ a full-time professional at this level for the first time. They will have a primary remit for developing our coaching structure to ensure an increased medal return by the 2014 Commonwealth Games which we hope to see staged in Scotland.”

• Scottish Gymnastics was recently awarded Foundation Level of the Equity Standard. Launched in November 2004, the Standard is a joint initiative between the four home country Sports Councils and UK Sport. It aims to support the work of the sports sector by providing a framework for sports organisations to help them to engage with people from all backgrounds, break down barriers to participation and promote more equitable practices in their sports.
• £175,000 of the £315,000 sportscotland investment is Lottery money.

Identified athletes receiving Athlete Support funding

Adam Cox, Livingston, EH54
Steven Bruynseels, Glasgow, G81
Andrew Mackie, Bridge of Allan, FK9
Christopher Chalk, Stirling
Daniel Keatings, Corby, NN18
Daniel Purves, Liverpool, L23
Jordan Lipton, Notts, NG1
Emma White, Peterborough, PE2
Jennifer Hannah, Telford, TF1
Sarah Mack, Telford, TF6
Lauren Beck, Motherwell, ML1
Rachel DeGiovanni, Leeds, LS17
Hannah Leigh, Kirkcaldy, KY2
Charlotte Griffin, Edinburgh, EH16
Brogan Archibald, Dundee, DD1
Jordan Archibald, Dundee, DD1
Rachel Wood, Logiealmond, PH1
Kirsty Campbell, Dundee, DD3
Kendal Smith, Eyemouth, TD14
Holly Ramage, Haddington, EH41
Amy Regan, Glasgow, G46
Hannah Mackay, Ellon, AB41
Robyn Russell, Dalkeith, EH22
Alyssa McCarthy, West Calder, EH55
Megan Slater, Aberdour, KY3
Samantha Murray, Invergowrie, DD2
Hayley Miller, Livingston, EH54