The link between clubs and schools enables people to start a pathway in Trampolining, from when they first get on a trampoline, to competing at a professional level. Schools provide provision for trampolining by teaching trampolining in PE lessons but also having their own clubs, usually non-competitive and outside school hours. Some schools teach trampolining during lesson time but the teacher must be trained in the areas taught to pupils and must know the safety aspects as trampolining can be quite dangerous. Each year the BSGA set up a series of competitions leading up to a National Schools Trampolining Championship, which begins with a Regional competition, organised by the Regional committee. The top placing individuals and teams from these events progress to a Zonal Championship, and then to National Finals. These competitions can help the elite performers to progress from the schools standards and gives them opportunities to make contact and join outside clubs and maybe their county. There are scouts and coaches from county clubs at these events looking to spot talented Trampolinists to enrol in their clubs. When trampolining with clubs, the members usually participate in competitions and tournaments leading to opportunities to progress through their county. These individuals could have the chance to represent the country if they are talented enough. Coaches and scouts can give them the opportunity to participate in national teams and if they get sponsors they could keep progressing and competing to compete at a higher level, like at the Olympics.
However, sometimes it is very difficult to get enough funding, for example, Ben Brown, the gymnast featured in London 2012 posters has recently had to retire due to lack of funding as the senior gymnasts have failed to reach the required levels in Men’s Gymnastics (to demonstrate they can win medals or make top eight places in major international competitions). As it is difficult to get the necessary funding for development, it also means it is more difficult to progress. Clubs funded by the National Governing Bodies provide training and coaching classes so they can then work with the clubs to train more Trampolinists, making it easier for people to become involved in Trampolining.
The Kent Association Committee work with the Kent development officer to organise the competitions at all levels so that younger Trampolinists are able to take part in competitions so they gain experience earlier. They also hold coaching and judging courses and hold specific workshops. They help new clubs by providing them with information and do the same with established clubs. They also give the established clubs information about grants and funding so the clubs have access to funding for development. Dartford Council recently provided Sutton-at-Hone Gymnastics club with a grant to help bring their equipment up to scratch.
Another additional agency is the LGF (London Gymnastics Federation), which provides funding for the London region for trampolining, is the official London region for Trampolining and is one of ten English regions under the English Gymnastics Association. It is funded mostly through its Regional Club Membership annual subscriptions.
Although there are separate trampolining competitions for male and female Trampolinists, I cannot find any evidence of different routines separate for men and women, which was surprising as they have different body shapes and types. The basic process of scoring for men and women is the same but with some small differences between the two, such as the allocation of the difficulty score, which is separated into different categories for the men. The funding for men and women’s trampolining is also fairly similar but individual trampolinists (both men and women) receive more funding.
Working in my county of Kent, with Kent Gymnastics and Trampolining, is the Gymnastics and Movement For People With Disabilities (GMPD) and this is an adaptation of mainstream Trampolining covering all disciplines and can be for fun or possibly lead to competitive opportunities. British Gymnastics have been developing a programme for disabled Trampolinists starting with motor activities for those with more severe mobility problems, leading on to a foundation programme for more able Trampolinists. Currently a motor activities programme is being developed, which will provide a framework through which even the most profoundly disabled gymnast can participate.
To conclude, Trampolining in Kent and England is well organised and linked with many clubs and schools, which provides many opportunities for progression in trampolining, however I personally think that more funding is needed in schools by the government to provide the schools with better equipment to use as this would help to interest pupils in Trampolining so that more people with talent can be found and encouraged to progress with their skills. I also think the county needs to be linked with more national and professional figures so that more trampolinists can reach the national and professional level through them. As the requirements for funding at a professional level are difficult to reach, more funding is needed lower down the chain to ensure that the trampolinists have all the resources, training and equipment they need to become top-class athletes. If there were more funding, it would be easier to progress in trampolining from the first time on a trampoline through the stages to a professional level.
Kiran Caffery 6L5 Miss Murphy
