Pictures: Scottish Gymnastics unveil new vision for the sport at Inverness leisure centre
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Inverness leisure centre yesterday played host to the launch of Scottish Gymnastics’ new vision – Leap Without Limits.
Inverness Gymnastics Club held a pre-school and club session at the venue in front of Commonwealth Games medallist Louise Christie, Scottish Government minister for public health, women's health and sport Maree Todd and officials from Scottish Gymnastics.
Together with their counterparts in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, the governing body have committed to delivering an uplifting gymnastics experience for all while ensuring that the sport is safe and open to everyone.
After consulting with gymnasts past and present, coaches and many other people with ties to the sport, priority areas and strategic aims have been identified.
To support those efforts, the governing body has been backed by a 30 per cent increase in lottery grant funding from Sportscotland over the next four years.
MSP Todd said: “I am pleased to help launch the new vision and strategy which will ensure Scottish Gymnastics remains an inclusive, enjoyable and safe experience for everyone.
“We are committed in supporting Scotland to become a more active nation and encourage people to make sport and physical activity a part of their daily life.
"It is important that the first experience of physical activity is a positive one, as it is more likely that people will stay active and stay healthy.
“The significant increase in investment from Sportscotland will help Scottish Gymnastics create more opportunities for people all over Scotland to experience the many physical, social and mental benefits of staying active.”
Scottish Gymnastics chief executive officer Doc McKelvey said: “I’m thrilled to be setting out an exciting new vision for gymnastics which puts positive experiences and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.
"This is a joint commitment from the governing bodies to make gymnastics welcoming and accessible for everyone, with shared values across the UK no matter at what level you’re involved in the sport. We’re grateful to our members and parents who were involved in creating this future for the sport.
“I’m delighted that Sportscotland has recognised what we are aiming to achieve through the joint vision and our focus areas for Scotland.
"Their significant increase in funding will help us deliver what our members need and what we need to do to widen our sport to more people of all ages and abilities.
“This is the first time that gymnastics’ national governing bodies from all four nations have come together to create a collective vision. We will lead the change and be relentless in our pursuit of inclusivity and accessibility for all.
"We can’t do it alone and need the whole community to work together to ensure gymnastics is enjoyable, safe and open to everyone.”
Chief executive of Sportscotland Forbes Dunlop said: “Scottish Gymnastics’ new vision will ensure that all participants enjoy a positive and encouraging experience of the sport.
"We share that ambition and are looking forward to continuing our close partnership with the team at Scottish Gymnastics as they look to inspire the next generation of gymnasts.
“We are providing increased investment to Scottish Gymnastics over the next four years, which will allow them to build on their track record of success.
"Our investment will also support an increased focus on inclusion and breaking down barriers to participation, with the aim of making gymnastics enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
“Scottish Gymnastics is building a strong future for the sport and their new vision and values will help drive further positive change.”
Commonwealth medallist Christie added: “Gymnastics has given me far more than medals. It has opened so many opportunities, helped me in other areas of my life and I’ve made so many friends.
"It’s great to see the sport in the UK uniting and putting positive experiences at the heart of everything.
“It’s absolutely brilliant that Sportscotland has shown how much confidence they have in the sport by increasing funding.
"Thank you to everyone who plays The National Lottery in Scotland for helping more people to take part in gymnastics and aspire to compete for their country.”
