Gymnastics Unites to Launch Leap Without Limits
Scottish Gymnastics has joined with British Gymnastics, English Gymnastics, Gymnastics Northern Ireland and Welsh Gymnastics to create a new vision for a new era, called ‘Leap Without Limits’. They are asking everyone involved in the sport to play their part in putting positive experiences at the heart of gymnastics.
The governing bodies are united in committing to a single clear goal – to deliver an uplifting gymnastics experience for all – with a purpose of ensuring that gymnastics is enjoyable, safe and open to everyone. The shared values for gymnastics of inclusive, supportive and aspirational shape everything to unite everyone across the sport.
People throughout the gymnastics community helped develop Leap without Limits, including gymnasts past and present, parents, coaches, judges, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations across the UK. They shared what was important to them, what needs to change, what makes gymnastics special, and the role it could and should play in our society.
Scottish Gymnastics has identified priority areas and strategic aims for Scotland beyond the vision, focusing on people, experience, wellbeing, pathway and leadership. This has been backed by sportscotland which has awarded the governing body an increase in lottery grant funding of almost 30% over the next four years to deliver agreed outcomes.
Read Leap Without Limits: a new vision for a new era
The Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport Maree Todd MSP joined Scottish Gymnastics members at Inverness Gymnastics Club to launch the new vision and strategy. She 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.”
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.”
The new vision has been welcomed by Louise Christie, Commonwealth Games rhythmic gymnastics medallist and GB international, who said: “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.”
Scottish Gymnastics CEO Doc McKelvey added: “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.”
“The new vision has been brought to life with an emotive film featuring gymnasts, coaches and clubs from across the UK, that references the learnings of the past together and a strategy for Scotland showing how a brighter future for the sport can be created by everyone working together.”
> Watch Leap without Limits Video
> Read our short visual presentation which sets the scene for the new vision