British Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in the UK, and its charity the British Gymnastics Foundation, have become the latest organisations to join the Sport for Development Coalition.
The decision to join the Coalition follows the publication last month of ‘Leap Without Limits’ which set out a new vision for the sport in the UK to deliver an uplifting gymnastics experience for all, with specific recognition of and focus on the positive impact gymnastics can have in individuals, communities and society.
IMPACT
The Sport for Development Coalition is a UK-wide movement of almost 400 organisations working to maximise the positive social impact of sport and physical activity. It brings together charities and civil society organisations, leagues, clubs and networks that are intentionally using targeted interventions to address key health and societal inequalities.
Andy Dodd, Communications & Engagement Director at British Gymnastics, said: “Our new vision is all about putting positive experiences at the heart of everything we do, and ensuring gymnastics is enjoyable, safe and open to everyone. As part of that, we are committed to being relentless in pursuit of inclusion and accessibility in gymnastics and ensuring that the amazing benefits of gymnastics are widely recognised and reach as far as possible.
“We know that if we do that, then our sport has a real opportunity to change lives, enrich and connect communities. In doing so gymnastics can help address some of the big societal challenges we face as a country. To make progress, we want to work together with people and organisations within and beyond gymnastics, and forge partnerships with organisations and groups that are aligned with our new vision and values.
“Joining the Sport for Development Coalition is very much a reflection of that, and our support for the Coalition’s own vision that every person in the UK recognises and values the power of sport to change lives and has the freedom to access it without barriers.”
COMMUNITIES
Louise Roberts, Head of Programmes at the British Gymnastics Foundation, added: “From Hardship Grants that support people to continue their participation in gymnastics, to our incredible age and dementia-friendly seated gymnastics ‘Love to Move’ activity, through our programmes every day we see the power gymnastics has to transform lives. As a charity, we exist to create opportunities through gymnastics and bring real improvements to the lives of people and communities most in need, so it’s fantastic for us to now be part of the Coalition and join other organisations across the country who like us are using sport and physical activity to change lives”.
Both British Gymnastics and its Foundation will this week unite with other Coalition members to mark this year’s UN International Day of Sport for Development & Peace 2023 on April 6th, and celebrate the first anniversary of the Coalition’s #OpenGoal framework which showcases the contribution of sport and physical activity to levelling up communities and building a fairer, more equitable and sustainable future.
The framework showcases the collective impact of Coalition members against a series of specific health and societal outcomes, including improved health and wellbeing, closing the gap in education and development, increased employability and skills, reduced crime and anti-social behaviour, and stronger communities and social cohesion. #OpenGoal also focuses on cross-sector themes including levelling up communities, tackling inequalities and the contribution of sport for development to climate action.
Hitesh Patel, Executive Director of the Coalition, explained: “This week marks one year since the launch of our #OpenGoal framework, and we will be using the opportunity to illustrate the many positive health and societal outcomes intentionally generated by the sport-based interventions delivered by Coalition members.
“Sport has the power to bring people together, build stronger communities, support individual development and positively change lives. As a Coalition, we are born out of a shared belief of sport’s potential to play a greater role in addressing social issues across the UK. We very much welcome the new vision for gymnastics in the UK and its particular focus on the positive impact the sport can have, and so it is great to now have both British Gymnastics and the British Gymnastics Foundation join us as members of the Coalition."
To find out more about the new vision for gymnastics in the UK, visit www.british-gymnastics.org/vision
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