Key facts
Area: Scotland
Grant recipient: Salto Gymnastics Club
Programme: 2014 Communities
Date of award: June 2011
Amount awarded: £2,000
Watching Josh Robertson vault through the air with the speed and power of a seasoned athlete, it’s hard to believe that this talented gymnast is only seven years old.
With his poise, strength and skill, Josh is one of the rising stars of the Salto Gymnastics and Trampoline Club, which thanks to Lottery funding is now giving the same opportunities to many other children across Dundee. With an award of £2,000 from BIG’s 2014 Communities fund, the club is delivering weekly lunchtime gymnastic sessions for children in five local primary schools.
As its Head Coach Pamela Bowie explains, it’s a project with a difference. “This programme is the first of its kind in Scotland,” says Pamela. “It allows us to go straight into primary schools, targeting children at the right age who will not only become members of the club but will also be affiliated to Scottish Gymnastics. My role as Head Coach is to keep kids in sport longer and to ensure that all the partners are working towards this same aim. We also hope that the project will enable us as a nation to provide medal winners in the future.”
As one of these future stars, Josh too hopes to follow in the footsteps of his sporting heroes who also began their careers at local clubs. Josh says, “Gymnastics makes me fitter and stronger. I love the rings and parallel bars and would love to take part in gymnastics competitions. I attended the Scottish Championships last year and saw professionals Daniel Keating and Daniel Purvis competing. I would love to be as good as them one day.”