Disability | Challenge Cup Inclusion
Over the weekend we hosted our first Women’s Artistic Classic Challenge competition of the new membership year in Perth. Within this, 14 disability artistic gymnasts competed from City of Glasgow, West Lothian and Fyrish, where they were fully integrated into the programme for the first time.
Scottish Gymnastics events manager Gemma Archer commented: “It was great and an exciting opportunity to be able to include the disability competition. With the success of it we are hoping to continue to build on this and hoping it is the first of many across all disciplines.”
Integration allowed for competitive gymnastics pathways to be accessible to everyone and provide a positive and uplifting gymnastics experience for all. Gymnasts across the weekend impressed with outstanding routines, all 14 disability competitors achieving at least one individual medal in their respected levels.
In the Open category, we saw Megan Docherty from West Lothian win the All Around title. Followed by Holly Lench in Competition A, Emily McAlpine in Competition B Senior and Sophie Ireland in Competition B Junior, all from City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club.
This was excellent preparation for these gymnasts who (along with Layla Taylor from North East Gymnastics Club) are all due to compete next month at the British Disability Championships at Lilleshall National Sports Centre on the 1 October.
Angela Turner, disability coach at City of Glasgow and Chair of BG Disability Gymnastics Panel remarked “it was a really positive step for the gymnasts to be included in such a supportive environment and to be able to raise the profile for Para and disability gymnastics. Thanks to all at Scottish Gymnastics for their continued support in this area. We hope to see more clubs involved in this pathway in the future.”
If you would like to find out more about disability gymnastics you can do so here and through our members area. For further confirmation on disability classification or on getting started on the disabilities competitive pathways, please contact Angela at angela.turner@british-gymnastics.org