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I'M IN! British Gymnastics launches new disability programme

I’M IN is the new Disability Gymnastics programme from British Gymnastics, which aims to create more participation opportunities for more disabled people in gymnastics. The programme will support a network of gymnastics clubs and coaches to plan and deliver quality gymnastics opportunities for disabled people.

The programme will also raise the profile of Disability Gymnastics; increasing the demand for gymnastics by disabled people and enabling them to become involved in our exciting and accessible sport.

How is the programme structured?

I’M IN consists of the following 3 strands:

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I'm INclusive: Supporting and developing a network of clubs and coaches

I’M INclusive is the programme strand which is designed to support clubs and coaches with education, guidance & resources to help their delivery of disability gymnastics.

How will it work?

  • British Gymnastics will appoint 10 Disability Hub Clubs in England which will be recognised for their disability expertise and great track record in providing quality gymnastics opportunities for disabled people. These 10 Hub Clubs will be contracted to deliver & coordinate a range of activities and education support for clubs and coaches.
  • If your club is passionate and committed to developing more gymnastics opportunities for disabled people and you would welcome support in helping your club to develop, then this programme is for you. Any British Gymnastics club can sign up to & benefit from the programme on offer; however in order to receive support, clubs will be expected to demonstrate their commitment to the programme.
  • The following club & coach support activity will be coordinated by Hub Clubs:
    • Disability Gymnastics Coaching Clinics – structured sessions run by Hub Clubs which are designed to support other clubs & coaches learn the fundamentals of delivering quality gymnastics for disabled people. Coaches will be encouraged to bring their own disabled gymnasts to sessions where possible, so that you and your gymnasts can benefit from the experience together.
    • Impairment Specific Support – Selected Coaching Clinics will be supported by experts from National Disability Sports Organisations; offering coaches impairment specific advice on how to connect with disabled people and maximise the impact of your programme. 
    • Disability Gymnastics Add-On Module – A chance for your club’s coaches to gain a valuable formal qualification. By signing up to the I’M IN programme, your club will be eligible for discounted rates when attending selected Disability Gymnastics Add-On Module courses.
    • Coach mentoring opportunities – A chance for your club to link your coaches to the support of an experienced disability gymnastics mentor who can assist their development, help provide solutions and share best practice.

I'm INvolved: A programme of exciting events designed to engage disabled people in gymnastics

How will it work?

  • The 10 Hub Clubs throughout England will each deliver a series of engaging gymnastics taster events which appeal to a wide variety of disabled people (Events may have an age or impairment focus). The aim of the events is to allow disabled people to come & try gymnastics for the first time; get excited about what gymnastics has to offer & get involved in gymnastics at their local British Gymnastics club.
  • The Hub Clubs will have a role to work in partnership with the following people / Organisations to ensure that the events programme meets the needs & demand of disabled people locally and that the events are well connected with disabled people.
    • Disabled Peoples’ Organisations (DPOs) & National Disability Sports Organisations (NDSOs)
    • County Sport Partnerships (CSPs)
    • British Gymnastics staff (Disability & Inclusion Manager, Area Manager & Club Development Coordinator)

What events will be on offer for disabled people?

  • I’M IN Gymnastics Taster Events – A range of different gymnastics activity and disciplines will be on offer at taster events. So, whether participants want to try working with a partner or as part of a team in acrobatics, working on different apparatus, working with hand apparatus or have a go at trampoline; there is something for everyone.
  • I’M IN Festival Events – These events will have a display / show focus, where participants can enjoy being creative. Participants will have the chance to learn new gymnastics skills and work with others in a team to create exciting performances for an unforgettable experience.
  • I’M IN Competitive Events – Once participants have been to a taster session or festival, they will be encouraged to join their local club to develop their skills in preparation for their 1st experience of competition in a fun and friendly environment.

I'm INspired: Celebrating success and achievement through gymnastics  

I’M INspired is the programme strand which is designed to promote and celebrate great achievement, inspirational stories and the huge benefits that gymnastics has to offer. We hope that by promoting great achievement in Disability Gymnastics, we will inspire disabled people to enjoy all gymnastics has to offer & reach their potential through our exciting sport.

How will we inspire disabled people to choose gymnastics?

  • Recognition of the achievements of disabled people in gymnastics – Achievement & success through sport can come in many forms; from winning British titles, to becoming successful coaches, to participating in and creating amazing display performances, to improvements in health & fitness through gymnastics. Whatever the inspirational story is, British Gymnastics will provide a platform to recognise and celebrate the inspirational stories of disabled people in our sport.
  • Recognition of great inclusive coaches – British Gymnastics will recognise coaches that do great work with disabled people in gymnastics. Good practise in this area will be promoted via British Gymnastics and external partners; we will also recognise coaches through the British Gymnastics Annual National Awards and National Disability Sport Awards.
  • Creating Disability Gymnastics Ambassadors – British Gymnastics will promote the messages of people who are passionate about Disability Gymnastics and all that it has to offer disabled people. We will work with these key ambassadors to inspire disabled people to get involved in gymnastics.

 

FAQs- hub clubs

What are the timescales for appointing Hub Clubs?

I’M IN Hub Club expressions of interest forms will need to be submitted to British Gymnastics by October 25th 2013. British Gymnastics will then aim to appoint and recognise a maximum of 10 Hub Clubs in England. All Hub Clubs will be appointed by the end of November 2013 and delivery agreements with Hub Clubs will run in two phases; phase 1 Hub Clubs (maximum of 6) will start programme delivery immediately & the remaining hub clubs in phase 2 will start delivery in April 2014.

Will Hub Clubs be paid for their delivery work?

Yes, each appointed Hub Club will have a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with British Gymnastics. The SLA will clearly define what the club is expected to deliver and will detail the payment which the Hub Club will receive in return for delivering the I’M IN programme events.
 

Will there be additional support for Hub Clubs?

Yes, Hub Clubs will be supported by British Gymnastics Staff (Disability & Inclusion Manager, Area Managers and Club Development Coordinators) to maximise the impact of their I’M IN programme events and to give guidance on the programme delivery. Hub Clubs will also be supported by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) and National Disability Sports Organisations (NDSOs); these Organisations will be on hand to provide local disability sport expertise which will help Hub Clubs connect their programme with disabled people.

What if I am appointed as a Hub Club, but my club only delivers one gymnastic discipline?

As part of the Hub Club agreement, clubs will need to ensure that their I’M IN events give disabled people a wide range of gymnastic disciplines to try or experience. Hub Clubs that may only deliver one discipline, will be expected to work with other clubs (offering other disciplines) to ensure that multiple disciplines can be run on Taster Sessions.

FAQs: clubs signing up to the I'm IN programme

How can the programme benefit my club?

Benefits to I’M IN Programme clubs are:

  • Your club will be assigned to a Disability Hub Club which is there to support your development and share best practise with you.
  • Your club’s coaches will be eligible for discounted rates when attending selected Disability Gymnastics Add-On Module courses.
  • Your club’s coaches will be able to attend a range of free Disability Gymnastics Coaching Clinics which are run by your Hub Club.
  • Your club’s coaches will have access to mentor support from your Hub Club.
  • As the I’M IN programme develops, your club will be eligible to receive free Disability Gymnastics resources, designed to support the delivery of gymnastics in your club.
  • Your club’s opportunities for disabled people will be promoted at your Hub Club’s I’M IN Taster Events.
  • Your club’s disabled gymnasts will be able to participate in inter-club Disability Gymnastics competitions, organised by your Hub Club.
  • The British Gymnastics Club Development Coordinator for your club will provide additional support to help your club achieve its aims of developing more opportunities for disabled people.

What is my club expected to do in order to be accepted onto the programme?

Details of how to sign up to the programme will be available in December 2013. However, clubs will need to commit to the following;

  • An action plan which details how you will develop more opportunities for disabled people.
  • Coach attendance at I’M IN programme support events.
  • Providing British Gymnastics with information about disabled participants at your club (this is most important so that British Gymnastics can monitor the impact of the programme and continue to support your club).

Is the programme available across the UK?

British Gymnastics has received funding for Hub Clubs in England. However, any British Gymnastics club may sign up to the programme of support offered by the English Hub Clubs, but activity will be delivered in England. Although funding is not secured to support the I’M IN programme via Hub Clubs in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland at present, British Gymnastics will be working in partnership with these Home Countries to develop the programme. Our hope is that funding can be secured to deliver the I’M IN programme in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland soon.

Want to learn more about gymnastics? Visit the British Gymnastics website