Current lockdown impacts Gymnastics Club
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When the Government imposed the current lockdown and guidelines, both Scottish Gymnastics and British Gymnastics made the decision to cancel all competitions and events until June.
Further to that, a statement released by Scottish Gymnastics on May 6 stated that upcoming events through to September would now be cancelled.
Gymnastic Coaches are being actively encouraged to do online sessions but they are limiting training to basic gymnastic skills, flexibility and elements.
Commenting on the impact the lockdown has had on their club and activities that are taking place online, Alvah Gymnastics Club spokesman George West said: “We had to stop our classes when the lockdown came into force but we have been interacting with our members via social media where we post challenges and Tik Toks that gymnasts and parents send in so that we all continue to keep in contact with one another.
“Scottish Gymnastics have also introduced a system where the award levels can be completed at home and sent to the club.
“We then send out certificates for completed levels and celebrate their individual successes on our private page.
“Our coaches are also participating in online courses, however the majority of them are key workers and volunteers.”
When asked about how social distancing measures will affect the club when reopening, he explained: “We our waiting for guidance from our governing body and from the council on the reopening of sports centres and will take it from there.
“We know that class sizes will need to be reduced and lots of cleaning measures introduced in between each class, however that it all we know for the time being.
“Once we have a clearer idea of when classes will start and how the situation evolves, we will be able to plan an effective strategy.
“We are unsure at this point what actions will be required to be put in place and we are waiting to see how Scottish and British Gymnastics respond to this and issue effective guidelines.”
Commenting on their decision to cancel all events, in a statement, Governing Body, Scottish Gymnastics said: “We understand and share the disappointment of the gymnasts, coaches and clubs “involved but the health and wellbeing of our members is our main concern.
"We are all aware of the challenges the coronavirus has brought to our day-to-day lives, and we feel it is important to provide certainty at this time to help alleviate any concerns around competitions.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to make our community aware that Scottish Gymnastics and British Gymnastics are continuing to work together and with the technical committees and panels and our performance teams to look at options for each discipline for reviving their competition programmes later in the year.
“We will make further announcements about these plans when we can.”
Alvah Gymnastics club added: “Unless they revise this policy all of our events will also remain cancelled.
“However, for now as with the rest of the country we are awaiting Government guidelines on how to get back into the gym.”
The club plans to continue to build on its recent success as Mr West noted: "Five of our gymnasts qualified to represent Scotland competing in Double Mini Trampoline and also trampoline at NDP level.
"The girls have been attending qualifing competitions from January to March.
"This was supposed to take place at Birmingham Arena on June 6 and 7 but due to the current situation it was cancelled.
"They have been working so hard and it's been a costly experience for them attending all the qualifiers, it would be great if they could get some recognition for their achievements."
