Commonwealth Stars Shine at 2022 Awards
Commonwealth Games stars were the big winners at Saturday’s Scottish Gymnastics Awards sharing the plaudits for coach and senior gymnast of the year.
Louise Christie and Shannon Archer were jointly named senior gymnast for an outstanding year in which they won historic medals in rhythmic and women’s artistic gymnastics at Birmingham 2022. Their coaches Amy Stewart and Ross Falsetta won the accolade of coach of the year for their Commonwealth Games success.
Members from across the gymnastics community, their families and Scottish Gymnastics partners joined together for the first time since 2019 to celebrate achievement at the glittering event in Edinburgh sponsored by Gymdata. Broadcaster Arlene Stuart best known for her morning radio show and TV’s Landward was our host for the night.
One of those honoured for an outstanding year was Reuben Ward who celebrated with his parents, sister, grandparents and his coach Jake Seager. In addition to winning medals in every national artistic gymnastics’ competition he entered, the junior gymnast of the year won and all-round bronze and team bronze for GB at the Junior European Championships. Stephen Tonge from West Lothian Gymnastics Club was named young coach of the year for his commitment to developing his knowledge and skills which included passing his level 4 qualification.
Flair Gymnastics Club in Glasgow was named club of the year for their outstanding contribution to their community. The club was unable to access its facility after the first lockdown and with the help of gymnasts’ parents, formed a committee and found a new dedicated venue. They have grown from 40 members in the last year and now have 500 gymnasts enjoying preschool, display and adult classes in addition to their artistic and competitive programme.
There were two new award categories this year to reflect the breadth of great work being carried out in clubs across the country. The community club coach of the year for those committed to recreational, preschool or display gymnastics was won by Charis Maclean for putting fun at the heart of the opportunities she creates for children and young people at Innovate Gymnastics Club and through Active Stirling.
Lisa Bott was the first recipient of the spirit of gymnastics award for her holistic approach at Ace Gymnastics Club. As owner and head coach, she works tirelessly to make everything fun and encourages members to be kind, caring, and supportive. Lisa has created a supportive, thriving community, run closely with families who share in gymnasts successes and achievements.
The wellbeing champion category was introduced in last year’s online recognition awards during Covid to celebrate those who support members’ mental health and wellbeing. Nicole Higginson from Astro Gymnastics Club won for developing the club’s focus and ethos since taking over the competitive section, making sure gymnasts are comfortable, happy and safe.
We are grateful to our partners for sponsoring the award categories and to Robert Stockwell and GymData for their sponsorship of the 2022 Scottish Gymnastics awards.
Our congratulations to all the winners and to the runners-up – our judging panel had a difficult job on their hands! We enjoyed celebrating with everyone and sharing stories, a lot of laughter and a few tears as we looked back on the past year. We cannot wait to do it all again next year – we hope you can join us.
2022 Scottish Gymnastics Awards winners
Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Gymnova
Winner: James Davidson
Runner-up: Sarah Fogg
Official of the Year by W Denis
Winner: Laura Smith
Runners-up: Val Purves, Gina True
Wellbeing Champion Award sponsored by Morton Fraser
Winner: Nicole Higginson
Runner-up: Kirsty Ross
Spirit of Gymnastics Award sponsored by ClassForKids
Winner: Lisa Bott
Runners-up: Sommer Dean, Laura Ytre-Eide
Young Coach of the Year sponsored by FD People
Winner: Stephen Tonge
Runners-up: Leah Angus, Sarah Uysal
Community Club Coach of the Year sponsored by Kukri
Winner: Charis Maclean
Runner-up: Kerry Trueman
Coach of the Year sponsored by BDO
Winners: Amy Stewart and Ross Falsetta
Runner-up: Melanie Stewart-Wills
Club of the Year sponsored by Quatro
Winner: Flair Gymnastics Club
Runners-up: Beacon Rhythmic Gymnastics Club, Sparta Trampoline Club
Junior Gymnast of the Year sponsored by PSB
Winner: Reuben Ward
Runners-up: Daisy Campbell and Nephele Idehen, Keir Davidson, Sarah Gallacher, Riley Summers
Senior Gymnast of the Year sponsored by ACE Forwarding
Winners: Shannon Archer and Louise Christie
Runner-up: Megan Docherty
