British Gymnastics update: I’M IN- the national disability gymnastics programme
I’M IN is a Disability Gymnastics programme from British Gymnastics which aims to create more participation opportunities for more disabled people in gymnastics.Here, they give an update which featured in the Equality-Focus on Sport newsletter this month.
The programme supports a network of gymnastics clubs and coaches to plan and deliver quality gymnastics opportunities for disabled people.
It also delivers a range of exciting participant events for disabled people who are new to gymnastics and want to try this amazing and inclusive sport. There are three types of participant events in the programme (Taster, Festival & Competition) which are carefully designed to appeal to many different participant motivations.
How is the programme structured?
I’M IN consists of the following three strands:
- I’M INclusive
- I’M INvolved
- I’M INspired
I’M INclusive is the programme strand which is designed to support clubs and coaches with education, guidance & resources to help their delivery of disability gymnastics. In order to deliver this element of the programme British Gymnastics has appointed a total of 14 Disability Hub Clubs in England which are recognised for their disability expertise and great track record in providing quality gymnastics opportunities for disabled people.
These 14 Hub Clubs are contracted to deliver & coordinate a range of activities and education support for clubs and coaches that sign up to the I’M IN Programme. The following club & coach support activity is delivered at Hub Clubs:
- Disability Gymnastics Coaching Clinics
- Disability Gymnastics Coaching Module
- Coach mentoring opportunities
I’M INvolved is the programme strand in which each of the 14 Hub Clubs throughout England delivers a series of engaging gymnastics taster events which appeal to a wide variety of disabled people (events may have an age or impairment focus). The aim of the events is to allow disabled people to come and try gymnastics for the first time; get excited about what gymnastics has to offer and get involved in gymnastics at their local British Gymnastics club.
The Hub Clubs have a role to work in partnership with the following people / organisations to ensure that the events programme meets the needs and demand of disabled people locally and that the events are well connected with disabled people:
- Disabled peoples’ organisations (DPOs) & national disability sports organisations (NDSOs)
- County sport partnerships (CSPs)
- British Gymnastics staff (BG Foundation & Disability Manager, Area Managers & Club Development Coordinators)
I’M INspired is the programme strand which is designed to promote and celebrate great achievement, inspirational stories and the huge benefits that gymnastics has to offer in order to raise the profile and appeal of gymnastics for disabled people. We do this in three ways:
- Recognition of the achievements of disabled people in gymnastics
- Recognition of great inclusive coaches
- Creating disability gymnastics ambassadors
What events are on offer for disabled people?
I’M IN Gymnastics Taster Events – a range of different gymnastics activity and disciplines are on offer at taster events. So, whether participants want to try working with a partner, or as part of a team in acrobatics, working on different apparatus, working with hand apparatus or have a go at trampoline, there is something for everyone.
I’M IN Festival Events – these events have a display / show focus, where participants can enjoy being creative. Participants have the chance to learn new gymnastics skills and work with others in a team to create exciting performances for an unforgettable experience.
I’M IN Competitive Events – once participants have been to a taster session or festival, they are encouraged to join their local club to develop their skills in preparation for their first experience of competition in a fun and friendly environment.
What has been the impact of the programme so far?
I’M IN has been running for almost 12 months now and it is having a huge impact on the development of clubs and the participation of disabled people. The programme has delivered the following to date:
- 31 events have been delivered engaging both disabled participants, clubs and coaches
- 109 gymnastics clubs have signed up to the I’M IN Programme
- 44 gymnastics clubs have started further inclusive development using the new Inclusive Club Development Toolkit developed by British Gymnastics in partnership with the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS)
- 1,481 disabled gymnasts in I’M IN clubs are supported through the programme
- 54* coaches have participated in 4 hours of disability gymnastics coaching clinic sessions
- 113 coaches have completed the 2 day Disability Gymnastics Coaching Module
- 173* new disabled participants have taken part in taster, festival & competition events
- 95 disabled people have become a member of a British Gymnastics club since the start of the programme
Some feedback from clubs & coaches on the programme:
“Absolutely loved today! Thank you from all of us at Cotswold Gym Club.”
“I really did enjoy the coaching course, it was very interesting and very useful and I hope to integrate some of the skills I learned into my regular coaching sessions.”
“For me, it was a good networking opportunity to speak to other coaches and get to share ideas. It’s also given us the motivation and inspiration to really move our disability offering forward. Can you pass on a big thank you to your gymnasts, parents and coaching team for giving up their time to support us.”
“I just wanted to say how inspiring it was to work with a group of such talented gymnasts. It was lovely to see first-hand that they can be included just as well as any other into the sport and have success in the club and competitions alike. I learnt a lot about different styles of coaching and how to adapt them to individual needs.”
“Thanks for a great day. I have come away with some interesting ideas which I will be putting into practice at our club. I particularly found the trampolining interesting and now have more knowledge on the sport. Your team were great facilitators; your coaches and gymnasts were inspiring; the whole day was perfect.”
Next Steps
British Gymnastics has just appointed a new full time Disability Officer, Erin Jolly, with a role to develop the programme even further. We are currently evaluating the impact of year one activity and will shortly be producing the event calendar for the next 12 months. The review of year 1 (to include delivery of a good practice sharing forum for I’M IN clubs) will inform future development of the programme. In addition, plans are afoot to extend development of the programme to Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
British Gymnastics is exploring new ways of connecting disabled people with the sport of gymnastics.
As part of our strategy we have developed a new site which is designed to help people explore the different types of gymnastics, discover the one that’s perfect for them and find their local club. The site enables disabled people to search for gymnastics activity which is aligned and suited to their own personal motivations and needs.
Feeling inspired?
We are delighted to launch our new digital site: ''Discover Gymnastics''
For more information on any aspect of the I’M IN programme, please contact Erin Jolly: Erin.jolly@british-gymnastics.org
*NB: Some event registers and feedback is still to come in, so the impact figures given for the programme are likely to rise.
