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Falkirk School of Gymnastics News Archive 1998
1) Falkirk Changes - By Robert Callahan 2) Viking Gymnasts Invade Falkirk
Item 1 FALKIRK CHANGES By ROBERT CALLAHAN In the last 12 months we have been very busy at Falkirk renovating the upper level in the gymnastics centre, turning what was a 3-bedroom flat into training dormitories. We received a lottery grant of £10,000. Unfortunately this was only 50% of the money required and as a result this is being used to provide materials and contract work that we are unable to do ourselves. The remainder of the work is being carried out by volunteers. We hope to complete this work by Easter if possible but certainly by the summer holidays where kids will be able to stay in the residential facility and train in the gym. It has been a lot of hard work but I am sure when the job is finished it will be well worth it. As far as I know this is the first gymnastics lottery project sanctioned by the Scottish Sports Council. Last year when we came back from Belgium after our annual trip, we were quite disheartened by the result. In previous years we have managed to come home with a barrel load of medals but in 1997 we were not even close to winning. This was mainly due to the European countries adapting easily to the new code of points. It was hard to believe for myself and the gymnasts to grasp that we were so far behind in a short space of time, only twelve months. We then had a close look at what we were doing in Falkirk, especially in the men's artistic. I then decided that we would probably have to go in a new direction. We gave all our 11 -15-year-olds the opportunity of taking part in the new and exciting team gymnastics which we felt was appropriate for that age group and also hoped to keep the gymnasts in the sport longer. Most decided to take up team-gym but one or two decided to retire. We decided to concentrate our artistic side on our up-and-coming gymnasts that we had. As a result we have a good team of 5-7-year-olds who have all been very successful last year In beginner competitions, winning a number of individual and team medals and trophies. One of the other main considerations we had was when Derek decided to retire from competitive gymnastics after 20 years in the sport, due mainly to his first son being born and an increase in responsibility at his workplace In Zeneca. This decision has proved to be correct as he has hardly been at home in the last six months due to major projects at work. This would have had a dramatic effect on any hope and preparation for Kuala Lumpur. However, he has been actively involved in the setting up of team-gym and we are delighted that he is still involved In the sport. I am sure that in future he will still make a major contribution to gymnastics in Falkirk. Team-gym is going from strength to strength. We have 7 men and 7 women who are training very regularly with performances improving every week. We have already completed our first display at Grangemouth Complex as part of the Scottish Display Team fund raising event and a number of others are in the diary. Later in the year we hope to compete in our first team-gym competition. We still have a nucleus of very good girl gymnasts in Scottish and Commonwealth squads and hopefully some will be selected for Kuala Lumpur. So although it might have looked as if Falkirk has dropped off the map over the last 12 months I can report that we are alive and well and still actively involved in the sport.
Item 2 VIKING GYMNASTS INVADE FALKIRK |