A pioneering gymnastics club in Grimsby have seen their bid to make the sport for everyone recognised with a nomination for a national award.

Eclipse Gymnastics Club have been shortlisted in the Inclusion Impact category at the British Gymnastics Awards thanks to their unwavering commitment to ensuring everyone is welcome.

The club has over 40 children with disabilities who regularly attend classes that are adapted to cater for all requirements.

And while head of disability gymnastics Rebecca Swallow, 41, is thrilled to have been recognised for the award, she hopes what they do will become standard practice across the country going forward.

“We were quite shocked because we didn’t think we would get nominated because we don’t really see what we do as a big deal,” said Swallow.

“I get quite embarrassed. I don’t feel like it is something that should be rewarded – it should be a given.

“We originally took over the club three years ago, and our aim was to make it as inclusive as possible. 

“There are quite a lot of clubs that will take on children who are on the spectrum, with sensory needs but nowhere took on medically more complex children – those who are wheelchair-bound, visually impaired, unable to move. 

“I am a physio technical instructor, working in a specialist school, and I am really big on there’s no limit for any child, we don’t see the disability, we just see the child. 

“We have got about 40 children that access the club with multiple disabilities ranging from complex medical needs to children on the spectrum and with behavioural needs.

“Gymnastics is a really good sport for children to get into. A lot of children with complex medical needs, they miss out on the very first early development skills; crawling, head control and within the pre-school programme, we do a lot of that.”

The British Gymnastics Awards are community led and about championing those who make the sport an uplifting experience for all, with more nominations than ever before coming in this year.

It is the creativity, dedication and passion from people in the sport that make gymnastics an accessible, inclusive and enjoyable sport for all.

The nominations have been judged by panels made up of British Gymnastics committee members and external panellists from across UK Sport, Gymnova, Milano, Gymaid, Youth Sport Trust, Sport England, Women in Sport, The Include Summit, Sport and Recreation Alliance, The Sport for Development Coalition and GB gymnasts.

Swallow’s focus on inclusivity is helping break down barriers for both those with disabilities and the other able-bodied gymnasts at the club.

The club has been a haven for children with few other opportunities to socialise, while offering important respite for parents with few other inclusive alternatives in the area.

And this inclusive spirit has been embodied by the able-bodied gymnasts, who help make sure everyone is welcome on the mats.

“There’s not one child in our club that ever looks at a child who is running around having a meltdown, all the coaches are aware of the children’s abilities and everyone just mucks in,” added Swallow.

“When we took over, our main aim was to be all inclusive, and to make every single coach educated on different skills to teach and coach these children. 

“Our work helps educate the younger children in the club, and it is reinforced outside the club. They will go up and make the conversation. 

“We had one girl who won an award, and when she arrived at her next session all the mini-squad wanted to give her the trophy.

“She can’t see and can’t walk, but four or five girls did on-body signing and presented her with her trophy. It’s just amazing how they have all adapted.

“I do believe in getting children in early, showing them what they can do and what they can’t do – it makes them better people as they get older.”

The British Gymnastics Awards celebrate those at the heart of gymnastics who create an uplifting experience for all. British Gymnastics has launched a new vision for a new era of gymnastics, learn more about Leap Without Limits here - https://www.british-gymnastics.org/vision