Gymnastics

The Gymnastics Competition in the Nat West Island Games 2001 will give competitors more than they have ever had in previous games. With the opening of The Ellan Vannin Clubs facility, all the islands will have the opportunity for training in a purpose built gymnasium away from the competition venue, but with similar apparatus to that being used in the competitions.

All the competitions will be held at Manx Gymnastics Centre of Excellence which offers excellent facilities for both competitors and spectators alike.
This is the first time a purpose built gymnastic facility has been used for the island games. The apparatus to be used in the competitions will all be of a World Class standard and conforming to the Federation of International Gymnastics specifications.

Two panels of judges, one womens the other Mens will be brought to the Isle of Man for the weeks competition.

The Provisional Programme for next years event is as follows:-

The above competitions are open to any gymnast who attains the age of 13 yrs. or over in 2001.
The Isle of Man Gymnastics Association is committed to organising a top class competition in a competitive but friendly atmosphere, and looks forward to welcoming old and new friends to the Isle of Man next July.


The Isle of Man boasts two major gymnastic clubs, the Ellan Vannin Gymnastic Club and Manx Centre of Excellence. Between the two clubs over 450 children take part in the sport covering all aspects from recreational gymnastics to the more competitive disciplines.

The Islands governing body is the Isle of Man Gymnastics Association which is affiliated to the British Gymnastics Association. The majority of our competitions are held against clubs from England. Our Isle of Man Squad comprises of gymnasts from both clubs and they train together on a monthly basis. Manx Gymnastics Centre of Excellence train in a purpose built facility, and such is the interest in gymnastics that in the not too distant future the Ellan Vannin Club will also have their own premises, and this will be used as an extra training venue.

The Isle of Man Gymnastics Association look forward to extending the hand of friendship to all gymnasts, coaches and officials that will be taking part in the Nat. West 2001 Games, we look forward to meeting many old friends, forming new friendships and building on the success of previous Island Games gymnastic competitions.

Competition.

The Gymnastics Technical Committee is very aware that the standard of facilities varies greatly from island to island, it is for that reason that the competition programme is designed to allow even those islands with very limited facilities to take part. Two of the competitions use only the floor and vault apparatus whilst the third competition includes all four pieces of Womens apparatus and the majority of the Mens apparatus.

GYMNASTICS makes a return to the NatWest Island Games on the Isle of Man next year, having been forced to sit out the 1999 competition in Gotland.

The sport, 1999 apart, has been included in the Games since 1989 and will be held at the Manx Gymnastics Centre of Excellence on Glencrutchery Road. A total of eight mini-nations are sending gymnasts to the Isle of Man next July but not all will be competing in each of the three events..
A maximum of six girls per island can participate in the individual contest, which involves routines on each of the four Olympic pieces of apparatus for women.

For the men's individual competition six pieces of apparatus will be used. The gymnastics technical committee is aware that the standard of the facilities varies greatly from island to island, and for that reason the competition programme has been designed to allow the nations with only limited apparatus to take part.

A brevet judge, Brendine Hardy, is to be brought over from the UK to co-ordinate the women's judges, while Eric Williams will head the panel of men's judges, all of whom will be a minimum of nationally qualified. Volunteers, such as results service runners, will be non-competing gymnasts chosen from local clubs.

Preparations are well under way at the competition venue as the women's equipment has already been installed and the men's apparatus is in position waiting to be fitted. A medical room and a cafeteria are also to be established for the event. It will be the first time that Games' gymnastics competition has been hosted in a purpose built gymnasium and hopefully this will enhance the quality of performances.

Manx Gymnastics Centre of Excellence will be hosts for the competitions. The facility was opened in 1993 and is equipped with the most up to date equipment. For training purposes before the competition you will have at your disposal all the usual equipment plus tumble track, trampoline and pit. This will be the first time that the games gymnastic competition has been held in a purpose built gymnasium.