In partnership with our Home Nations, we have created a detailed plan to help the gymnastics community, in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In partnership with our Home Nations, we have created a detailed plan to help the gymnastics community, in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Step Forward Plan has been created following consultation with our clubs and partners to help address some of the main fears that have arisen since the UK went into lockdown.
Our plan is split into three steps and is centred around four key pillars of support – people, places, programmes and protection.
Key measures that are part of the plan include:
- Significant investment in participant hardship grants to enable gymnasts affected by COVID-19 to return to the sport
- Providing expert advice on raising capital, accessing grants, business planning and fundraising
- Discounts on targeted coaching courses (when they resume) to ensure our clubs and delivery partners have the workforce to meet the needs of their programmes
- Working with facilities to ensure the correct measures are put in place to enable social distancing and hygiene processes to be implemented and understood across all gymnastics environments
> pdf Read the Step Forward Plan in full
British Gymnastics Chief Executive Officer, Jane Allen MBE, said: "The welfare of our members and partners is of paramount importance and we are working hard to ensure all of the required safety measures can be implemented across gymnastics environments before the sport can return.
"A huge amount of consultation and planning has gone into the ‘Step Forward Plan’ and we believe the measures and guidance set out will ensure safety and peace of mind for anyone taking part in our sport.
"It’s been a hugely challenging time and we must now support our gymnastics community in returning to the sport safely.”
We are working hard on this full package of support, with the first phase of resources planned for release early-June.
In addition to this, following UK Government guidance on the return to training for our world class athletes, our Performance team have developed a very specific Return to Training Plan. This plan has identified a small group of national squad athletes in Olympic disciplines, who are now preparing to return to training. This has been communicated directly to the athletes and their coaches. Only identified athletes are able to return to training at this stage.