Dear parents, gymnasts and coaches,
I just wanted to reach out to all our members following the media reports of tragic stories from gymnasts across the UK who have been abused while doing the sport they love.
At Berkhamsted Gymnastics Club, our key focus is the enjoyment of gymnastics and we are passionate about our members feeling safe and valued as a member of our club. To this end, we work tirelessly to deliver on our mission that puts enjoyment and safety at the heart of our gymnastics provision.
Berkhamsted Gymnastics Mission:
“To provide opportunities for all to enjoy the benefits in health, wellbeing and personal confidence that gymnastics has to offer, in a safe, friendly and fun environment.”
In addition, our codes of conduct for both coaches and gymnasts emphasise respect for all and the importance of speaking out if something isn’t right.
We are fully supportive of British Gymnastics’ decision to launch an independent review into the behaviours and culture of gymnastics coaching and we would encourage and fully support any gymnast (or former gymnast) to speak out if they believe they have been the victim of such a culture or any form of abuse.
There is a network of welfare officers starting with our club welfare officer, the regional welfare officers plus the Integrity unit at British Gymnastics. See contact details below should you want to get in contact to raise any concerns.
Club Welfare Officer: Sarah Edwards welfare@berkhamstedgymnastics.co.uk
Regional Welfare Officer: east.rwo2@british-gymnastics.org
BG Integrity Unit: integrity@british-gymnastics.org
Thank you for your ongoing support and we very much look forward to seeing you all back in the gym when we are able to re-open.
Best regards,
Claire Kennedy, on behalf of the BGC Committee
Chair of BGC Committee