Leap Without Limits: Strategy launched at Inverness Leisure Centre to get people into gymnastics

People of all abilities are being urged to try out gymnastics in a new nationwide strategy to open up the sport to all.

For the first time, governing bodies from across the UK are joining forces as part of the ‘Leap Without Limits’ initiative.

The project – to make the sport “inclusive, supportive and aspirational” – was launched at Inverness Leisure Centre and follows a major investment of £3.5m from SportScotland.

Scottish Gymnastics chief executive Doc McKelvey said: “It’s great that we are all aligned in what we want to achieve in the sport, ensuring it is enjoyable, safe and open to everyone.

“We have got our new values that unite everything that we do and I really think it is going to help us get more people involved in the sport.”

Aberdeen’s Louise Christie, who took silver in last year’s Commonwealth Games for Ribbon, was at the launch to back the new strategy.

She said: “It’s looking at all levels, starting with the grassroots, which is really important. I think the main thing is getting as many people involved and having positive experiences and making some amazing memories.”

Sports minister Maree Todd said breaking down barriers was key to growing gymnastics.

She said: “I think the focus for the Scottish Government in terms of funding needs to be on inclusion, it needs to be on targeting groups who don’t participate in sport.

“Women and girls are a big target audience for us and this is a sport that’s made up mostly of women and girls – and geography is really important.”