Information Bulletin
17 June 2005
Shetland gymnastics takes a leap forward
The sport of gymnastics in Shetland is leaping ahead, with eight local sports coaches gaining their first gymnastics coaching award last weekend. Two visiting tutors from Scottish Gymnastics were in Shetland to assess volunteer coaches for the final stages of their Foundation Coaching Licence.
Training for the award, the first rung of the Scottish Gymnastics coaching ladder, began in April 2004. The candidate coaches then gained further experience over the last twelve months by organising a number of well-attended taster sessions in Lerwick, Scalloway, Brae and Yell. Gaining this qualification now means that these coaches can now lead basic gymnastics sessions in after-school clubs and recreational classes.
Gymnastics not a well established sport in Shetland and this new group of coaches is seen as the catalyst for future development. The NatWest Island Games next month will also see high-level gymnastics competition in Scalloway School Games Hall, that will further raise the profile of the sport.
Sports Development Officer for Shetland Islands Council, Bob Kerr commented – “Scottish Gymnastics have been very helpful in the preparations for the Games next month. The development of this coaching programme over the last year or so is a positive outcome at this stage. The Games will inspire many budding young gymnasts and we now have some local coaches that can take them further in the future.”
The gymnastics coaching programme has been led by the Community Development Service of Shetland Islands Council, in partnership with Scottish Gymnastics and local coaches.
Ends.