'Huge joint effort’ secures Games ready gymnastics equipment

Orkney’s burgeoning gymnastics scene launched into a new era last week as state-of-the-art competition-level kit was put through its paces for the first time, following what the club describe as ‘a huge joint effort’ to attract investment ahead of the 2025 Island Games.

The all-new Federation of International Gymnastics approved ‘Gymnova’ equipment means Orkney is not only equipped to host gymnastics competitions as part of the Island Games in the county next year – but is also now able to provide local athletes training and experience using standard competition-sized apparatus and sprung floor.

The Club received funding of £150k from SportScotland and Orkney Islands Council’s Community Development Fund (CDF) earlier this year towards the new equipment.

Specifically, the funding has helped purchase a new internationally approved competition-level sprung floor, a hugely beneficial addition for the club whose half-sized floor here in Orkney has meant athletes up til now have needed to travel south to experience a full sized floor.

Also now in the Club’s arsenal are a new vaulting table, beam, asymmetric bars for women’s competition and high bar for mens’ – all with competition standard matting - and storage containers at Stromness Academy where the Island Games gymnastics meets will be held.

Last week, the club ran a series of training camps allowing club members to get familiar with the new equipment, culminating in two fun competitions on Friday (25th October), with generous sponsorship from Orkney Builders.

Club Manager and Treasurer, Elspeth McLellan, said the week marked several months of hard work and a team mentality by folk across the Orkney community and wider:

“It’s been a long road to get here, drawing not only on the dedication of many club members, but also the expertise and help of departments and people at Orkney Islands Council from Sport and Leisure to planning, legal, estates, and surveying staff, Stromness Academy and the Community Development Fund team - to name but a few – and of course SportScotland.

“We couldn’t have gotten here without every single person and organisation involved - we are really grateful for all the help we’ve received to bring our Games ambitions to reality.

“Last week was of course a chance to celebrate the arrival of the new equipment, which will be a lasting legacy to the Club, and let our athletes get to grips with it.

“But it was also testament to everyone’s hard work and determination to get to this point!

“It’s a massive step forward in the journey of being able to host the gymnastics event in Orkney next year.”

Garry Burton is Head of Sport and Leisure Services at Orkney Islands Council and worked closely with the club to help develop their proposals. He said: “I think everyone who’s been involved is delighted to have played a part in reaching the bar for competition at next year’s Island Games in what is undeniably a growing sport in Orkney and beyond.”

OIC Convener Graham Bevan is Chair of the Council’s Community Development Fund sub-committee: “For years now our Community Development Fund has helped community led projects go from dream to reality, setting out a financial commitment to match fund projects so that other funders can feel confident to follow suit. What we have seen this week is the result of that commitment for Orkney Gymnastics Club, who can now launch into a new era of being ‘game ready’ for next year’s Island Games - and beyond.”

Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “It is fantastic to see preparations for the Orkney 2025 International Island Games ramp up and to see investment at Orkney Gymnastics Club already improving sporting opportunities in the area.

“Orkney 2025 will be a historic occasion and a wonderful chance for local athletes to compete at a home multi-sport event. The associated improvements to sporting infrastructure will be of huge value to the local community for many years. 

“Clubs like Orkney Gymnastics Club don’t just create opportunities for people to take part in sport and physical activity, they also provide a place for communities to come together.”