About the Youth Forum
Did you know that 80% of Scottish Gymnastics members are under the age of 18? You could probably have guessed, looking at the people in your classes or club!
The Scottish Gymnastics Youth Forum is a formal group representing our younger membership, to be the voice of children and young people in gymnastics in Scotland.
This forum meets with Scottish Gymnastics staff and stakeholders to give their views on specific topics such as the gymnastics pathways, participation, competitions and performance as well as coaching and judging, clubs, safeguarding and communications and social media.
The group is made of up to 16 children and young people aged between 10 and 24 recruited to the forum for a period of two years.
It is essential we have a range of experiences and gymnastics journeys within the group to represent our membership, and we aim to have a minimum of two primary school-age person.
The forum meets up to four times a year across the country on weekends or during holidays to minimise clashes with training, coaching, school, university, and work commitments. Scottish Gymnastics cover travel expenses in line with our volunteer expenses policy for getting to meetings.
Vision
Children and young people’s views inform and influence the aims, values and development of Scottish Gymnastics
Purpose and Role
The gymnastics youth forum works as a collective of children and young people with Scottish Gymnastics staff to advance the strategic plan, develop our communications and programmes across key functional areas of the organisation. They influence the wider sporting agenda through working with our key partners and stakeholders. They identify and develop the future leaders of our sport and help to increase the profile and reputation of gymnastics in Scotland, the UK and beyond.
The youth forum provides an interactive platform for Scottish Gymnastics and members to network and offer collaborative approaches to areas of work, share knowledge and expertise. It acts as a key advisory group for staff, board sub-groups and Scottish Gymnastics’ board of directors. The forum provides learning and development opportunities for young people, developing key transferable skills for their future development.