Why should you watch this

A breathtaking sport to watch, gymnastics develops co-ordination, awareness, flexibility and a bit of elegance, grace and style don’t go a miss when performing routines of the floor!

Athletes will compete in a full programme of artistic gymnastics with six events for men and four for women.

Did you know…?

  • Sam Oldham who competed in the 2006 UK School Games went on to become an Olympic medal winner at London 2012! Sam was part of the men’s team that took an historic bronze medal as part of Britain’s best ever Olympic gymnastics performance. In the women’s team, gymnasts such as Team GB’s youngest member Rebecca Tunney and her teammate Jennifer Pinches have also competed in the School Games.
  • The stunning movements performed by the gymnasts on the balance beam are being carried out on the surface of a piece of apparatus only 10cm (4in) wide.
  • At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Louis Smith won Great Britain’s first Olympic gymnastics medal in 80 years. He won a bronze in pommel horse.

How it Works

The gymnasts competing in the 2016 School Games have developed through the National Governing Body talent development programme and will hope to go on to represent their country at international level.

This event is therefore for young gymnasts to aspire towards on their way to international competition. British Gymnastics is working at local, county and regional level to implement the National Schools Competition Framework and establish developmental pathways. Consulting across gymnastics organisations and involving the Youth Sport Trust ensures that this framework is holistic in its approach. The 2016 School Games helps bridge the gap from development to elite and as such is a crucial pathway to World Class and helps drive development in the Home Countries towards high level competition.

Four teams are competing in men’s artistic and women’s artistic gymnastics representing England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.