The Scottish Disabilities Championships took place in Bellahouston recently and were a great success. Lots of City of Glasgow gymnasts took part – some in their first competition. Congratulations to all the competitors.

City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club has recently received £1000 from the Sunday Telegraph as part of the BT/ Sunday Telegraph Paralympic Momentum Programme. This award recognises the role that sports clubs play in finding and nurturing the Paralympic champions of the future and will help the club further promote disability gymnastics in Glasgow.

Follow the link below to see full article in Sunday Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/sport/disability-sports-funding/10091912/Paralympic-Lee-Pearson-grass-roots-support.html

Angela Turner's Diary from Bath 2013

Day 1

On Tuesday we left Scotstoun Stadium after a send off from the Lord Provost & Cllr Graham and bagpipes.

We traveled 8 hours by coach - a long journey but worth it to get here. At night time we had a game of football and played cards and early to bed to prepare for the opening ceremony tomorrow. Weather is great and everyone is in good spirits. Everyone is impressed with the faculties - especially since we found a Costa Coffee!

Jonathan says he can't wait to see all his friends from the World Games tomorrow and David is looking forward to seeing Susan Boyle!

Day 2

Today after breakfast we had our first glimpse of the competition halls and had a short training session in the warm up gym. We then travelled to Royal Crescent in Bath for the spectacular opening ceremony. There was lots of waiting around but we all enjoyed the performances and meeting all the other athletes from different sports. Highlights included parkour acts and special guest Susan Boyle!

Late night tonight but we have a lot in tomorrow before Amy competes.

Day 3

This morning we had breakfast then went to the athletics to watch fellow City of Glasgow athlete Caroline win a silver in the 200m. We then spent the rest of the day in the athlete's village where there were art workshops, healthy athlete stalls and merchandise tents to keep us busy. We caught the Scotland West football team winning their first game 5 - 0 against the South West before heading off to watch Amy compete in Rhythmic Level 2.

Amy was an absolute superstar and had huge support from family and friends who came along to cheer her on. Her winning smile and great routines won over the judges and the crowd and she will bring home at least silver all around. Her final scores will be confirmed tomorrow at the medal ceremonies for GR.

The City of Glasgow gymnasts performed superbly at the recent Disabilities NDP Finals at New College Leicester.

The competition included the use of new grades for which 10 of our gymnasts qualified through the Scottish NDPs in March. The results were as follows:

WA

Level 4
Jane Breaden Distinction
Sophie Crawford Distinction

Level 3
Leighanne Cornachan (withdrew due to illness)
Georgia Carslaw Merit


MA

Level 7

David Kelly Pass
Andrew Macintyre Merit

Level 5
Ramsay Meikelem Merit


Level 3
David Rae. Merit
Connor Bryson Merit
Jonathan Mackie Merit

Amy Clark and Alison Mackenzie took part in their first Rhythmic Special Olympics event on 4th May 2013 in London.
Both girls did extremely well. Amy won gold all-around at level 2 in the junior competition (with scores that would also
have seen her medal in the senior events). Alison won silver all-around in the senior competition at level 4. Both girls
now have excellent scores in qualifying for the Special Olympics National Games in Bath in August. Special thanks
must to go Magalie Mackay whose help with the girls over the last few years has been invaluable. Mags is currently
volunteering as a physiotherapist in Nepal but we hope to see her back in helping with routines again some time in
the future when she returns to the UK.

Four gymnasts from the CoGGC Disabilities section travelled to New College, Leicester to complete in the Downs Syndrome Association British Championships.

Codi Young and Martha Donahue competed well at Level 1 in their first competition outside of Bellahouston. Codi won bronze for the ball routine and Martha won bronze for the hoop and ribbon.

Amy Clark and Alison Mackenzie also competed really well at Level 2 and Level 4 respectively. Both girls have been selected for the Scotland West team for the Special Olympics in August and this gave them the opportunity to compete their new routines and skills. Alison won 4 golds and Amy won one gold and three silvers.

Special thanks to Heather Sturdy for help with coaching and Emma Johnstone for judging.

Eight gymnasts from the Disability gymnastics section of City of Glasgow GC were recently
selected by British Gymnastics to represent GB in a display at Gymfest in Perth aiming at
increasing awareness of disability sport. This performance was enjoyed by everyone who
took part in the event. The inclusion of these elite disabled athletes promoted the discipline
to a new audience who were able to see what the gymnasts are capable of achieving with
the right support.