Summary
The study fundamentally reviewed the way individuals are funded on the World Class Programmes, including any incentive schemes offered for gymnasts, clubs and coaches. The study involved reviewing the World Class Programme Entry & Exit procedures, funding timelines and selection points onto the World Class Programme, Gymnast Review Procedures, World Class Gymnast expectations & obligations (including The Gymnast Agreement), and the Gymnast Funding Matrix.
Approach
We initially met with the Project Manager to finalise the desired approach.In summary , the project carried out a review of the Gymnast support programme within British Gymnastics’ Performance plan building on the recent review that undertook to identify:
- Lessons to be learnt
- Areas of change
- Appropriate staffing structures
- Significant high performance competitions
- Sport science and medical support
The review also contained further in depth analysis of the performance programme including:
- Gymnast funding matrix
- Benchmarking of the funding matrix against other relevant sports
- Identification of issues of commonality both within and external to the sport
- Gymnast review process including gymnast selection and de-selection
- Entry and exit to the Performance programme including communication systems
- A review of the Gymnast agreement and comparison with other good practice
- The timescales, timeframes and mechanisms for review and assessment of gymnasts
- Review of Performance management systems
Consultation took place with the Performance team, coaches, external support organisations and key people who are relevant to the study. This was carried out in one of a number of methods, including online surveys, focus groups, individual meetings and/or telephone conversations. Reporting was to the Project Manager and Steering Group members who were utilised as a group of experts and the sounding board that guided the project. We presented a number of options and outcomes to the steering group for consideration prior to steering group meetings. The Steering group met on three occasions as well individual conversations through the project.
Outcome
Change to: From the issues highlighted above, in conjunction with the Olympic Performance Director, Steering group and Performance staff, British Gymnastics addressed the following:
- Establish a clear and consistent gymnast selection process which is agreed across the three disciplines
- Establish the principles of the selection process
- Recognise that each discipline had its own criteria for assessing and supporting gymnasts
- Establish consistent timely communication to gymnasts across the programme.
- Establish a system of funding the programme effectively to enable a consistency across the three disciplines
- Review the appeals process to minimise action against British Gymnastics