Fundamentals
Please note the FUNdamentals Awards will be retiring on 31st July 2022. For more information on the products that are retiring due to the launch of Rise Gymnastics please visit ‘What British Gymnastics products will be impacted?’ For more information on the qualifications required to deliver and assist Rise Gymnastics please click here
FUNdamentals offers a wide range of activities organised within 16 themes, such as ‘seaside’ and ‘healthy eating’. Each theme is usually delivered over 6 sessions of approximately 45 minute duration. The programme delivery is signposted by FUNKY Cat and his friends, each created to identify a particular skill through a FUN medium. Steady enjoys doing all the balance activities, Springy enjoys jumping about, Stretchy enjoys the warm-up sessions, Speedy has good locomotory skills, Swingy enjoys using apparatus, Sporty is well co-ordinated and Funky Cat himself, is a good all-rounder.
During the sessions, children are transported into the World of FUNdamentals in which the iconic ‘Funky Cat’ leads them in a range of physical and musical activities that ensure their interest and excitement. At the end of each term, children receive badges, certificates and a medal to recognise their efforts and encourage them to progress further as well as to evidence participation and learning. The certificate and badge are attractively and colourfully designed and the certificate is personalised with the child’s name. There is a gold medal available as more themes are completed.
British Gymnastics Shop Fundamentals Resources
2 - Peter Rabbit.mp3
3 - Healthy Eating - Bean Song.mp3
4 - I Hear Thunder.mp3
5 - Travel.mp3
6 - Stepping Stones.mp3
7 - Teddy Bears Picnic.mp3
8 - Old Mother Hubbard.mp3
9 - Time.mp3
10 - Castle FUN.mp3
11 - Musical Statues.mp3
12 - Park Song.mp3
13 - Seaside.mp3
14 - Old MacDonalds Farm.mp3
15 - Adventure Fun.mp3
16 - Forest Fun.mp3
17 - Funky Cat reprise.mp3
18 - Healthy Eating.mp3
Becoming a coach
Our great sport offers many valuable experiences and opportunities for gymnasts and participants. Our sport requires people with the desire and motivation to make a real difference - by choosing to coach. Whether you are thinking about becoming a coach, or looking to build on your existing skills and expertise, British Gymnastics offers a comprehensive range of opportunities that will enhance knowledge and understanding at every level.
Becoming a Coach
There are many routes into coaching; as an enthusiastic parent, as a gymnast, as a teacher, as a young leader through our My Academy Programme or simply someone inspired to be that person to make a real and positive difference. Whichever way you come to gymnastics, as a coach, you will have the satisfaction and pride in knowing you have helped others to participate, achieve and excel.
There are a number of great starting points for your coaching career, for example;
Helper courses: These courses are aimed at anyone interested in learning more about how to effectively help in a gymnastics and trampolining session. It focuses on the key skills needed to support your Lead Coach in delivering effective and participant-centered sessions.
For each gymnastics discipline, we offer UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) courses. Starting at Level 1 Assistant Coach, these set you off through the coaching pathway of your preferred discipline.
We also now have a number of part-funded places on selected UKCC Level 1 and 2 courses. To learn more, please see our Coach Development Fund page.
The Journey of a Coach
Quite often a coach will follow the prescribed coach education pathway for a particular discipline, developing sport-specific knowledge and expertise along the way. However, in order to provide as broad a programme of activity within a club, other coaches seek to enhance their knowledge across disciplines and activities.
Our programme of education course continues your development in both types of journey, with additional opportunities to learn and update/refresh knowledge always in development.
Part of your journey may well include acting as a mentor – someone who helps, advises and supports developing coaches. Click here to read more about being a mentor coach.