Welsh Gymnastics is celebrating a fantastic achievement as two clubs and two individuals have been shortlisted for this year’s British Gymnastics (BG) Annual Awards. The nominations highlight the dedication, talent, and positive impact that Welsh members continues to have on athletes and communities across the nation.
Valleys Gymnastics Academy has been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the community, being shortlisted for Community Club of the Year (over 250 members). The club has built a welcoming and inspiring environment where gymnasts of all ages can thrive. Alongside this, Emilie Allen, one of the club’s talented young athletes, has been nominated for Young Person of the Year, celebrating her hard work, dedication, and achievements within the sport. Speaking on behalf of Valleys Gymnastics Academy, Melissa Anderson said:
“We are delighted with the Club of the Year shortlisting – and it really is testament to the hard work of the team across our delivery venues. We continue to work hard to provide the best opportunities we can, and it is fantastic that we have been shortlisted for this specific award several times over the last decade (including winning in 2020) – proving our commitment to ongoing development and improvement for our members and the communities in which we operate. To see Emilie shortlisted for the Young Person of the Year is also amazing. We value our young leaders massively and to see them thrive and achieve is priceless. Emilie is a fantastic young person (who I have been lucky enough to coach and mentor for eight years) who is a brilliant role model and to see her achieve above and beyond, despite the challenges she experiences in everyday life is truly inspiring.”
Ynys Mon Gymnastics Club has been acknowledged for their commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for all athletes, earning a nomination for the Safe Sport Award. The club’s focus on wellbeing and safeguarding exemplifies the highest standards in gymnastics. A club representative from Ynys Mon reflected on their nomination:
“We are incredibly proud and grateful to have been shortlisted for the British Gymnastics Safe Sport Award. This recognition means a great deal to us, as creating a safe, supportive and positive environment for every gymnast is at the heart of everything we do. We would like to thank our dedicated coaches, volunteers, gymnasts and families. This achievement reflects the shared commitment of our whole club.”
Meanwhile, Joanne Coombes has been recognised as a leading figure in coaching and development, with a nomination for Learning and Development Individual Practitioner. Her dedication to mentoring coaches and supporting the growth of athletes has had a lasting impact on the gymnastics community. Reflecting on the nomination, Joanne said:
“Receiving notification that I’d been nominated and a finalist amongst many other outstanding Learning & Development practitioners was a lovely surprise. It is a privilege to be acknowledged for this work and validates all the efforts learning and development individuals do and the impact they bring to aspiring coaches in our community. Having most recently successfully completed a CIMSPA Coach Developer qualification, this recognition gives me confidence to push ahead and continue developing my skills to support the next generation of ambitious coaches”
Being shortlisted for a BG Award is a significant achievement for all nominees and a proud moment for Welsh gymnastics. These nominations shine a spotlight on the incredible talent, commitment, and community spirit thriving across Wales. We wish all our nominees the very best as the winners are announced later this year.