East Lothian Clubs celebrate their success at the Scottish Gymnastics Awards Evening
The achievements of some of the most inspirational people in the Scottish Gymnastics community were celebrated at an awards ceremony held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh on Saturday, 12 November 2016 with sports presenter, Jane Lewis, presenting the awards.
Amongst the nominees and winners were a number of East Lothian gymnasts, coaches, volunteers and clubs:
Winners
Young Coach of the Year: Rachael Walker, Saltire Team Gymnastics
Official of the Year: Margaret Kerr, Saltire Team Gymnastics
Junior Gymnast of the Year: Fraser McLeod, Saltire Team Gymnastics
Special Recognition Award: Joan Foulner from, Saltire Team Gymnastics
Other East Lothian Nominees
Senior Gymnast of the Year: Caitlin O’Brien – City of Edinburgh TC & Kendal Smith – Saltire Team Gymnastics
Coach of the Year: Tracey Brown – Saltire Team Gymnastics
Club of the Year: City of Edinburgh Trampoline Club
Information on the nominees and winners is detailed below. A full list of winners can be found at www.scottishgymnastics.org
Young Coach of the Year
Winner: Rachael Walker (Saltire Team Gymnastics) Rachael currently holds UKCC Level 2 TeamGym, UKCC Level 1 Pre-school and Danish Level 2 TeamGym qualifications. Rachael began coaching early as a volunteer helper due to injury and attended every ‘in-house’ CPD session run by the club or local authority at every opportunity.
Now 18, she leads the club’s physical preparation sessions and uses regular fitness testing to track gymnasts’ improvement. Known for her superb technical knowledge as well as her handling and supporting of skills, Rachael ensures she has the most up-to-date knowledge to use in the gym, and is dedicated to keeping her gymnasts engaged and motivated.
Official of the Year
Winner: Margaret Kerr (Saltire Team Gymnastics) Margaret is a Brevet Judge and National Judging Convenor for TeamGym for both Scottish and British Gymnastics. She has also judged at events across Europe, including the Danish Championships in 2015 and the Junior and Senior Swedish Championships in the same year.
An enthusiastic advocate of sharing her experiences, Margaret has delivered a range of judging courses, specialising in TeamGym and Scottish Schools judging. Widely acclaimed for her dedication to gymnastics, Margaret is committed to ensuring the highest standard of officiating.
Junior Gymnast of the Year
Winner: Fraser McLeod (Saltire Team Gymnastics)
Fraser McLeod - In a strong year, Fraser won first place at the Scottish TeamGym Open, and was selected for the North Zonal training squad in the junior mixed team before being successfully selected for the GB National Squad and represented GB at the 2016 European TeamGym Championships in Slovenia, in the lead up to the 2016 European Championships.
Fraser trains up to six days a week, sometimes taking on two sessions per day. His personal achievements and skill development over the past 18 months have been hailed as exemplary and he continues to make good progress. Keen to support teammates and raise the profile of gymnastics, he took part in a visit to the local Rotary Club and gave a presentation on squad gymnastics and being involved in training camps and his vision for the future.
Special Recognition Award
Winner: Joan Foulner from Saltire Team Gymnastics
Joan Foulner has been involved in Gymnastics for 30+ years, as an interested parent then Women’s Artistic coach and judge; Chairperson for the Disabilities Panel in Scotland, competition organiser, treasurer and general expert.
By virtue of her organisational skills, knowledge and ability to communicate clearly and succinctly, Joan has influenced and encouraged many individuals to join both coaching and judging within their chosen discipline of gymnastics. She has mentored and guided them, built their confidence (sometimes over years) to successfully qualify and is a remarkable ambassador for Scottish Gymnastics and in particular for Disabilities gymnastics.
Senior Gymnast of the Year
The Senior Gymnast of the Year category recognises gymnasts who have; successfully taken part in Scottish Gymnastics events/competition programme; made considerable improvements in their performances and achievements; achieved podium success; been a role model for others; and raised the profile of their sport.
Nominees: Caitlin O’Brien – City of Edinburgh Trampoline Club; Daniel Purvis – Southport Gymnastics Club; Kendal Smith – Saltire Team Gymnastics
Winner: Daniel Purvis, Southport Gymnastics Club
East Lothian Nominee: Caitlin O’Brien – City of Edinburgh Trampoline Club
Caitlin has competed at double-mini-trampoline (DMT) events across the UK and worldwide, including at World Age Group Championships and European Championships. She was the silver medal winner at the 2015 British Championships (17-18 ladies) and achieved a world ranking of 9th at 2015 World Age Group Championships. At the European Championships, she achieved a ranking of 7th as an individual and secured a team bronze with her two GB teammates. Competing as a senior at the 2016 British Championships, Caitlin won the silver medal.
A determined and committed gymnast, Caitlin has managed the transition from junior to senior level well and continues to support younger members of her club, both as a gymnast and a coach.
East Lothian Nominee: Kendal Smith – Saltire Team Gymnastics
A talented and diligent gymnast, Kendal, who formerly competed in Women’s Artistic, was selected for the GB Northern Squad (TeamGym) in 2015. She then went on to be selected for the GB National Squad and represented GB at the 2016 European TeamGym Championships for the Senior Women’s category in Slovenia.
Seen as a strong leader, Kendal has been instrumental in developing a strong team bond for the squads she is part of and her club, while she has also increased her training and skill level. With her competitive career drawing to a close, Kendal is well respected for her work ethic, determination and drive to succeed.
Coach of the Year
Nominees: Tracey Brown – Saltire Team Gymnastics; John Campbell – West Lothian Artistic; Wendy Lucas - Hamilton Gymnastics Club; Sandra Stevenson – City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club
Winner: John Campbell – West Lothian Artistic Gymnastics Club
East Lothian Nominee: Tracey Brown – Saltire Team Gymnastics
Tracey is one of only two qualified HPC TeamGym coaches in Scotland, which has allowed her to guide seven Saltire Gymnasts to places in Phase 1 Phase 2 and, following a competition and assessment of all GBR Zonal gymnasts, saw these gymnasts being selected for Phase 3 of the BG Zonal Squads.
Over the last five years, Tracey has mentored several coaches between Level 1 to Level 4 in all disciplines. She encourages coaches to attend training sessions, camps and squad sessions with her. By setting a good example, particularly with coach etiquette, planning and involving them in her class sessions, she builds the confidence of other coaches.
Described by others in her club as “hardworking and committed” Tracey’s attitude, confidence and leadership continue to encourage and inspire all those she works with, gymnast and coaches alike.
Club of the Year
The Club of the Year category recognises clubs that have; shown a commitment to club development through creating innovative ways to grow and improve the club; developed links to the wider community via schools, local authorities etc; shown a commitment to Scottish Gymnastics initiatives; shown a commitment to Scottish Gymnastics events and or competition programme; and shown a commitment to Scottish Gymnastics performance pathway (if applicable).
Nominees: Acrobay Gymnastics Club; City of Edinburgh Trampoline Club; Fyrish Gymnastics Club; Irvine Bay Gymnastics Club; West Lothian Gymnastics Club
Winner: Acrobay Gymnastics Club
City of Edinburgh Trampoline Club
Since it was founded ten years ago, City of Edinburgh Trampoline Club (CETC) has provided opportunities for youngsters across the Lothians - of all ages and abilities - to become involved recreationally and competitively in trampolining & DMT.
CETC gymnasts and coaches have excelled, particularly in DMT- with 2 gymnasts being the only ones from a Scottish club to be selected for GB Squads from all rebound disciplines. Both gymnasts have been selected for Team GB at World Age, European Championships and International events, together with CETC Head Coach. The club is dedicated to providing a safe, caring, sociable and fun environment, where people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the incredible sports of trampolining and DMT.
