Welsh Gymnastics
| Gymnasteg Cymru | |
| File:Welsh Gymnastics logo.gif | |
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| Abbreviation | WG |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1902 |
| Type | National sports governing body |
| Purpose | Developing gymnasts, coaches and gymnastics clubs in Wales |
| Headquarters | Sport Wales National Centre |
| Location | |
Chairman | Chris McLarnon |
CEO | Victoria Ward |
Head of MAG | Peter Etherington |
Head of WAG | Tracey Skirton-Davies |
| Affiliations | British Gymnastics European Union of Gymnastics FIG, British Olympic Association |
| Website | Welsh Gymnastics |
Formerly called | Welsh Amateur Gymnastics Association |
Welsh Gymnastics (WG) is the national governing body for gymnastics in Wales. It has overall responsibility for the administration of all eight gymnastics disciplines in Wales – women's artistic, men's artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, general gymnastics, sports acrobatics, sports aerobics, trampolining and tumbling – through its four geographical areas (north, south, east and west), which are responsible for their own area competition and squad training sessions.[1][2]
History
[edit | edit source]Welsh Gymnastics was founded in 1902 as the Welsh Amateur Gymnastics Association (WAGA) which catered for men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics.[3]
In 1912 Welsh gymnasts William Cowhig and William Titt were part of the British team that won bronze in the team event at the 1912 Olympic Games in Sweden.[3] They are the only Welsh gymnasts to win an Olympic medal to date.[3]
Welsh Gymnastics first competed at the Commonwealth Games in 1978 after gymnastics was included in the Games programme.[3] The gymnasts who were the first to represent Wales at these Commonwealth Games in Canada were: Andrew Hallam, Leigh Jones, Michael Higgins, Paul Preedy, Tina Pocock, Jacqueline Vokes, Linda Bernard and Linda Surringer.[3]
Women’s artistic gymnast Sonia Lawrence won silver on the vault at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada to become the first gymnast to win a Commonwealth medal for Wales.[3]
In 2004 the organisation changed to Welsh Gymnastics (WG) dropping the amateur status and becoming a company limited by guarantee.[3]
Welsh Gymnastics relocated from their previous headquarters at Cardiff Central Youth Club to Sport Wales National Centre at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff in 2010.[4][5]
home of Welsh Gymnastics
In 2014 Welsh gymnasts won a historic 10 medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Becoming their most successful Commonwealth Games to date.[3] Rhythmic gymnast Frankie Jones led the way with six medals (five individual, one team).[3]
Helen Phillips MBE stepped down as Chair in 2019 after a 18-year tenure.[3]
Chris McLarnon becomes Chair in 2024.[6]
Competition
[edit | edit source]Welsh Gymnastics organises the Welsh national team for international competition including the Commonwealth Games & Northern European Gymnastics Championships.
It also hosts national competitions including the Welsh Gymnastics Championships annually for elite-level artistic gymnasts which is a qualifying event for the British Gymnastics Championships which subsequently acts a selection event for the British Gymnastics national team.[2][4]
References
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