Today, 20 August 2018, Beth Tweddle MBE, Olympic, World and European medallist in Women’s artistic gymnastics along with Colin G. Taylor, Chair of Sport Aberdeen, officially opened the Alex Collie Gymnastics Performance Centre, a dedicated and specialist gymnastics centre, catering to everyone from young children to seasoned gymnasts.

Beth spoke to the assembled audience and stressed the importance of high quality facilities, expert and committed coaches but also the need for supportive parents to help any young gymnast succeed.

The audience were treated to 4 solo floor routines by City of Aberdeen Gymnastics Club (COAG) gymnasts: Innes Reid, aged 16; Lexi Walker, aged 11; Mackenzie Reid, aged 11 and Kirsty Fowler, aged 14.

The Centre which is managed and operated by Sport Aberdeen, underwent significant refurbishment in January 2018 after funding was secured by Sport Aberdeen and COAG to purchase new men and women’s GYMNOVA apparatus comprising of new high bars, rings, asymmetric bars, beams and floor pads, to allow for a fully functioning permanent gymnastics set up.

Sport Aberdeen’s Gymnastics Pathways Coordinator, Aynsley Henderson said:

“It is an exciting time for Gymnastics in Aberdeen, especially having Beth Tweddle with us today to help celebrate.

“Gymnastics is already making a great impact within the City and we are looking forward to helping it develop to its full potential.

“As well as delivering our Sport Aberdeen programme, we work with clubs to create a pathway for gymnasts across the city. Recreational or elite level, we believe gymnastics can be enjoyed by everyone.

“Gymnastics is an inclusive sport with its diverse disciplines of; Men’s and Woman’s Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline, Disability and many more! I am looking forward to seeing the future of gymnastics in Aberdeen.”

The day also marked the launch of a Gymnastics Aberdeen and it’s new city-wide, 40-week gymnastics programme which has facilitated over 140 new spaces for children interested in getting involved in gymnastics across the city.

This means there are now over 1,000 spaces city wide in Kinder Gym and Preschool gymnastics for children as young as 18 months old up to primary 1 age. Gymnastics Aberdeen also provide Recreational Gymnastics and Trampoline for school aged children.

Gymnastics Scotland’s Head of Development, Steve Paige said:

“Scottish Gymnastics congratulates everyone involved in the Alex Collie Centre. It is great to see the work of Sport Aberdeen and partners come to fruition, bringing about the opening of another dedicated gymnastics facility.

“Having the Alex Collie Centre will directly benefit the sport in the city by supporting an increased gymnastics programme allowing gymnasts to increase their training and enjoy more time in the gym.”

Local Commonwealth Games gymnast Izzy Tolometti, who has previously trained at Alex Collie was also in attendance, hosting a Q&A session and giving a speech on the importance of the centre for local gymnastics.

Beth Tweddle closed out the event by hosting a workshop with a selection of COAG coaches and gymnasts.