My journey coaching gymnastics has spanned over 25 years. I started myself as a gymnast, falling in love with the sport that would, unbeknown to me, remain a huge part of my life. Now as the National Women’s Artistic Coach for Wales, I am often asked how I got here.
Passing my coaching qualifications opened new opportunities for me as a young coach. I set up a gymnastics club at the age of just 17 in my hometown of Bath. The more experience I gained, the more I wanted to learn. I loved watching other coaches teach their gymnasts, constantly absorbing new tricks, tips and lessons to pass on to them. As my gymnasts progressed so did my coaching opportunities, which in turn has taken me all over the world, joining Team Wales and Team GB at many international competitions.
Part of my job is to spot the talent in younger gymnasts, coaching them as they progress through the Welsh Gymnastics performance pathway. Olivia Bryl was herself a promising gymnast, who I coached and took to the World Championships. I spotted her coaching potential and love of gymnastics and knew she would be an asset to the team. She remained within the sport after retiring from a successful career, progressing as a coach to her current role as National Junior Coach. She has worked alongside me, at the gymnastics academy based at National Centre, ever since. Mentoring Olivia as she coaches our younger gymnasts is a constant learning curve for both her and I; teaching adults is very different to children. It’s vital to develop elite-level coaches for our sport though, so I am happy to surround myself with a passionate workforce team, that learn from each other’s strengths.
Throughout my career, I have coached many gymnasts to Commonwealth level, including Sam bailey, Lynette Lisle, Lizzie Beddoe, Raer Theaker and Angel Romaeo. Watching our home-grown Women’s Artistic team win bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was certainly a career highlight.
There are so many exciting athletes showing promise this year. Taking our rising anabawang star, Maisie Methuen, to the European Youth Olympics Festival in July was another highlight. Maisie took silver for her beam routine; a first for a Welsh gymnast. However, be prepared to face disappointments - there will not always be medals. A good coach needs to be able to support their athlete through the highs and lows of their career.
The best coaches I’ve met along the way have the passion, commitment and respect for their athlete’s best interests. They spot talent easily and nurture it. My advice to young coaches keen to progress would be to immerse yourself in your sport. Watch, listen and learn from those you admire and understand that skills develop with time. What works for one gymnast won’t for another - you have to be their mentor, teacher, confidant and leader.
I love to see the children fulfil their dreams. From the minute they get their first kit, to the moment they get their first medal. For many of our elite gymnasts who train with me six days a week, the key ingredient in their success is that they still love the sport. They thrive on the challenge to better their skills. As an elite coach you have to let them step into the spotlight, trusting that their pembinaan will pay off.
Coach education courses run frequently within Welsh Gymnastics and with the help of organisations such as , Sports Coach UK and UK Sport, expanding a sporting elite workforce in Wales is not only possible but already in motion.
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