Gymnastics Launches #BeTheChange
- #BeTheChange is about keeping gymnastics safe and fair for everyone
- The campaign builds on the shared vision to create an uplifting gymnastics experience for all
- The campaign highlights that it’s OK to not know the answers all of the time and will signpost new resources, policies, best practice and learning opportunities
A major long-term campaign has been launched for gymnastics to promote a safe and fair sport. The first phase, #BeTheChange encourages people to think about positive changes they could make, highlighting that as a gymnastics community, we need to support and challenge one another to be better to make our sport safer.
There will be support for parents and carers, gymnasts, coaches and people working in the sport around what is OK and what is not. This is to create a shared understanding of good practice and what isn’t acceptable, encouraging people to ‘see something, say something’, if anything concerns you.
The campaign builds on the new vision for gymnastics launched earlier this year, to deliver an uplifting experience for all. It has been shaped by input from gymnasts, coaches, clubs and parents to ensure it can help keep everyone safe in gymnastics through education, support and empowerment.
A small change can make a huge impact, and everyone has a part to play. Whether it’s a coach taking more time to reflect or investing in regular learning and development, a parent raising a concern they have been holding on to, a gymnast speaking up if they are unhappy, clubs sharing best practice or governing bodies providing more clarity and support.
It will also highlight that it’s OK to not know the answers all of the time and encourage people to ask for help if they are unsure.
#BeTheChange
The campaign, which was unveiled at British Gymnastics’ first-ever National Welfare Officer Conference, held in Birmingham alongside the 2023 World Trampoline Championships, has been brought to life with a #BeTheChange film featuring members of the gymnastics community and encouraging everyone to get involved.
The campaign is a collaboration between Scottish Gymnastics, British Gymnastics, English Gymnastics, Gymnastics Northern Ireland, and Welsh Gymnastics. Over the coming months, we will provide regular updates and resources to support members to play their part in helping to keep gymnastics safe and fair for all. These include new toolkits, resources and learning opportunities.
Scottish Gymnastics chief executive Doc McKelvey said: “We all want gymnastics to be enjoyable, safe and open to everyone. #BeTheChange is about encouraging everyone that they can play their part in ensuring an uplifting gymnastics experience for all. By picking up on the small things we can often alleviate the big things.
“We will provide resources and information about what is okay and what isn’t, so everyone feels confident to speak up if something doesn’t feel right, challenge behaviour, and be the change”.
Resources
One of the first aspects of the campaign is a series of new safe sport policies. These have been developed in consultation with gymnasts, coaches, clubs and parents as well as people beyond gymnastics. Their experience and expertise have helped ensure the policies are clear, engaging and supportive for everyone involved in gymnastics. The policies will be accompanied by easy guides for deliverers, parents and carers, and gymnasts. There will also be explainer videos to bring the key areas of policy to life so people of any age or experience can understand them.
Support
If you would like to raise a concern about something you have seen or experienced in gymnastics please contact us through our reporting concerns online form or by emailing safegym@scottishgymnastics.org. You can also email communications@scottishgymnastics.org if there is something you would like us to cover in the campaign or consider for a safer and fairer sport.
Find out more about safe and fair sport and how you can #BeTheChange through the links below to our safe sport pages.