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A new name for British Gymnastics programme

A disability gymnastics programme has been in place at British Gymnastics since 1985. Previously known as GMPD; (Gymnastics & Movement for People with Disabilities) it now has the new name of 'disability gymnastics'.

The disability gymnastics programme ensures that gymnastics is adapted to meet the needs of each gymnast. Through the delivery of disability gymnastics, coaches can enable all disabled gymnasts to achieve their full potential, focusing on what they can do, not on what they can't do. From fundamental movement activity to elite gymnastics skills, disability gymnastics has something exciting, fun and engaging for all disabled people to enjoy; it is also widely recognised as providing many physical and social benefits for participants, such as developing increased coordination skills and building confidence. Disability gymnastics is a far more recognisable and inclusive title for this exciting programme. It also follows the social model terminology for disability, which is socially acceptable and truly reflects the inclusive nature of the programme.

Click here to watch a BGtv video which gives a fantastic introduction to what disability gymnastics is all about.

Who can get involved?
Disability gymnastics is 'pan-disability'; meaning that any disabled person can take part if they cannot access mainstream gymnastics. All gymnastics disciplines can be adapted to include disabled people in the sport and competitive opportunities exist within men's artistic, women's artistic, rhythmic, trampoline, teamgym and acrobatic gymnastics. The disability gymnastics pathway provides training and competition opportunities for gymnasts that cannot adequately access mainstream gymnastics, creating a level playing field for all to enjoy gymnastics and achieve. If you would like to see disability gymnastics in action, please click here to visit the 'Find an Event' link on the BG website.

Where can you get involved?
There are hundreds of clubs all over Great Britain that offer either disability gymnastics or inclusive gymnastics programmes. In fact, more and more clubs are getting involved every year. You can find details of your nearest disability gymnastics club by clicking here to visit the 'Find a Club' link on the BG website.

Want to promote your club's disability gymnastics activity?
Disabled people may not be aware that your club is inclusive or offers dedicated disability gymnastics sessions. Clearly promoting that your club is inclusive or delivers disability gymnastics sessions to the right people/organisations is key to encouraging disabled people to access your club.

National Disability Sports Organisations, Disability Equality Partners and County Sport Partnerships can help your club to connect with disabled people by signposting you to disability organisations in your local area. Please click here for a list of organisations that can help.

To download a free disability gymnastics promotional poster, which you can adapt to suit your club’s needs, please click here.

Are you a coach and want to deliver disability gymnastics?
British Gymnastics has developed a Disability Gymnastics Awareness Module which is perfect for getting you started. This module, which covers both practical and theory elements of disability gymnastics, is open to coaches of all disciplines. With more than 1,000 British Gymnastics coaches having completed the module, gymnastics is fast becoming more and more accessible to disabled people in a growing number of clubs all over Great Britain.

To book on to a Disability Gymnastics Awareness Module, please click here to go to the ‘Find a Course’ page on the BG website.

Do you work with disabled people as a teacher / other professional and want to teach trampoline?
BG has developed a Disability Trampoline Coach Award, which enables teachers or others already working with disabled people, to coach trampolining for disabled people.

To book on to a Disability Trampoline Coach Award, please click here to go to the ‘Find a Course’ page on the BG website.

Online Disability Equality Training is available for British Gymnastics Members

British Gymnastics has formed an exciting partnership with the disability equality in sport organisation in London- ‘Interactive.’

Interactive has developed ‘Be Inclusive and Active’ which is a unique online training opportunity that provides you with instant access to an introductory level knowledge around disability equality. The training is accredited and endorsed by the National Skills Academy, is REPs accredited and has been developed using expert knowledge from Interactive and other key agencies such as Disability Rights UK (formally RADAR), Leonard Cheshire Disability, the English Federation of Disability Sport and DP Consulting Ltd.

British Gymnastics coaches can benefit from this partnership with Interactive, by accessing the online disability equality training at a special price that has been negotiated for BG members.


The EFDS looks forward to continuing our work with British Gymnastics on the newly named programme. If you are an NGB and wish to develop your strategy for disabled people in your sport, we can support your journey to inclusive participation. Click here for more information.