Abbey Gymnastics CIC provides professional gymnastics classes and gymnastics related fitness programmes with a participant centred approach. Our range of classes are open to children, young people and adults of all ages and abilities. Our coaches endeavour to instil discipline and teamwork while increasing each participant’s self-confidence and self-esteem while encouraging them to reach their full potential within the sport. Abbey Gymnastics CIC continue to provide an outlet for health-related activities for all. A priority of the programme is to engage the community of West Belfast and give opportunities through sport, health and fitness and coach education to those who have experienced long-standing levels of deprivation. Staffing & Volunteers: This year Abbey have 4 full time and 8 part time staff, both in a paid and voluntary capacity along with 7 members of the Parents Fundraising and Events Committee and 3 voluntary Judges. Welfare Officer Michele Cowan and Head Coach Alison McMullan attended the annual British Gymnastics Safeguarding Conference in England for updates and changes following the release of Reform 25. Leadership Academy: During our 2022/23 year our Leadership Academy has continued to grow, now with 26 members aged 11 yrs+ having seen some of our oldest members move on to university studies both at home in NI and across the sea. The group have assisted with the planning and delivery of our annual showcase and prizegiving, regional competitions and events and the Belfast Festival of Gymnastics. Unfortunately, there were no ‘Intro to’ courses available for our younger Leadership Academy members. Our members continue to attend monthly meetings which incorporate awareness workshops of topics such as safeguarding, online safety etc. Coach Development and Education: This year we had coaches attend seminars and educational events such as the British Gymnastics Northern Ireland Club Engagement Day. Abbey was delighted to welcome Dan Lonsdale, Strength and Conditioning expert to educate our competitive team coaches on the importance of physical preparation and strength training. We had 1 coach qualify at Level 1 through British Gymnastics UKCC courses and 1 coach qualify at Level 2. Throughout 2022-2023 two coaches have continued CPD through attendance at Nick Ruddock Coaching Masterclasses in England and clinics and squad sessions in Northern Ireland. British Gymnastics Pilot Scheme: Following on from the Rise Gymnastics Pilot Scheme last year, we have continued to implement this programme with more than 200 members participating in events twice per year. Dance Development: Again, following on from the introduction of our Dance programme last year, our gymnasts and dancers have participating in a number of events from the prestigious NICMAC to our local Belfast Festival and our annual showcase. Parent in Sport Week: To celebrate and highlight Parent in Sport Week, encouraging parents and friends to become involved, we signed up and encouraged our parents to sign up to the CPSU free e-learning courses specific to keeping children safe in sport. Fully Inclusive: Classes are fully inclusive 3.5% registered with a disability and 4.5% being from ethnic minority groups. Delivery of programmes in Schools: This year with the support of our Level 2 coaches, our Leadership Academy members delivered a 6-week gymnastics programme in their own school as part of a ‘lunchtime club’ or as part of their PE Programme. Schools who engaged in this project were: St Bernard’s Primary School, Glengormley High School and Strathearn Prep. At the end of the 6 week programme these gymnasts/pupils took part in the Belfast Festival. Development of Disciplines: TeamGym has continued to develop at Abbey and throughout Northern Ireland. With the hosting of events such as Mezzo Cup Qualifier, Northern Ireland Championships and the Abbey Invitational, Abbey is proving that we are leading the way in TeamGym in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Once again we had gymnasts qualify for British Finals achieving silver and bronze medals in the junior and senior categories. As part of the ongoing development in Northern Ireland, Abbey welcomed 3 Brevet Level judges to educate our current judging panels as well as judge our NI Gymnasts as they would be on the mainland. This proved to be extremely worth the investment. Acro is another discipline which has developed during 2022/3. Gymnasts have competed in local, regional and national level events as well as taking part in training camps and squad training. This year we highlighted Anti-Bullying week online by incorporating thought provoking and challenging games to better help our members understand forms of bullying and what to do about it. Our gymnasts were also rewarded with ‘Kindness Stickers’ at the end of class. We also took the opportunity to highlight and celebrate our Volunteers during Volunteer Appreciation Week. Adult Programme Development: Our adult programmes have developed and now include a competitive aspect. Following the cancellation of British Adult Gymnastics Championships, our adults had an opportunity to compete and again achieved great success with regards to personal goals and medals. We also hosted our Abbey Invitational competition which also welcomed gymnasts from across Northern Ireland. Community Connections: We were pleased to offer 4 Sure Start groups the opportunity to explore the world of Gymnastics in specifically catered for Parent & Toddler sessions over a 4-week period. In addition to this we offered a 6 week programme to Avoca playgroup in which 27 young children aged 3 participated in semi-structured play sessions which enabled them to explore, grow and learn at their own rate. Recognition: Some of our wonderful coaches and young leaders have been recgnised in various ways this year. Daniel McCullough was nominated for a Sport NI Sport Maker Award for his voluntary service, Nicole Edgar was awarded the British Gymnastics Participation Coach of the Year, Mairi Rivers awarded the British Gymnastics Volunteer of the Year and Alison McMullan awarded the British Gymnastics Services to Gymnastics Award.

The Company's stakeholders are the gymnasts who take part in our classes and their parents. Coaches are encouraged to talk to parents/gymnasts and listen to any comments they may have, and parents are made aware that they are welcome to discuss issues with coaches at any time. The Club has a Parents' Committee/Fundraising Committee. Regular joint coaches'/parents' meetings take place which are a platform for issues to be discussed and ideas to be put forward and actions agreed. The Club makes use of a Website, Facebook page and Instagram which, as well as being a means of relaying information, are also a means of receiving feedback. The Club provide a feedback box and have arranged individual and group consultations with parents of specific disciplines twice annually.

Directors salary for the year was £44,805 Gross

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration