Central has around 60 qualified gymnastics coaches and has Scotland's only International Performance Coach in Men's Artistic Gymnastics. The majority of coaches are recruited and developed through the voluntary gymnastics clubs who have an enthusiastic and motivated unpaid workforce

Coaches must be qualified to Level 3 Club Coach before they are able to run their own club and below this coaches can be qualified at Level 1 Assistant where they can look after a group of beginner gymnasts or Level 2 Coach who can look after a class, both under the supervision of a Level 3 Club Coach.

Please click here to read a guide for anyone preparing to go on a coaching course.

For information on the changes to the British Gymnastics' coaching courses following allignment on to the UKCC framework please click here.

Details regarding the above courses:

Coaching Courses

General Gymnastics (Assistant Coach) Level 1

Description: This general gymnastics course is designed to cover the coaching of the developmental stages of childhood and older children who may wish to participate in structured recreational /non-competitive gymnastics activities. The course covers static elements on a variety of apparatus, locomotive skills on floor (including jumps, rolls, handstand, and cartwheel), basic vaulting, developmental shapes and skills on a single bar and beam, and partner work. The holder may assist a qualified coach with a gymnastics class or assist within club run provision. Minimum age is 16 years on the day of the course

Pre-School Gymnastics (Coach) Level 2

Description: The level 2 coach will be qualified to prepare for, deliver and review coaching sessions for a group or class under the direction of a more highly qualified coach. Building on level 1 Pre School, the course includes session planning and delivery, theme work, working with music, warm up ideas, use of hand and large apparatus, plus fundamental movement and gymnastics skills. Candidates must hold a level 1 pre-school qualification or a minimum of level 2 in another discipline. Minimum age is 17 years.

General Gymnastics  (Coach) Level 2

Description: Level 2 coaches will be qualified to prepare for, deliver and review coaching sessions for a group or class under the direction of a more highly qualified coach. The course covers the coaching of the developmental stages of childhood and older children who may wish to participate in structured recreational/non-competitive gymnastics activities. This includes static elements, locomotive skills on a variety of apparatus (Floor, Vault, Bar, and Beam), and partner work. An add-on module for Men’s Pommels, Rings, and Parallel Bars is available separately. The minimum age is 17 years and candidates must hold a level 1 qualification.

Gymnastics Workshops

Introduction to Gymnastics

Description:  Designed for parents, older pupils, coaches from other sports and teachers who are interested in finding out what assisting with a gymnastics session is like. This workshop will introduce attendees to gymnastics activity with demonstration of basic elementary movement, and physical preparation, warm up games, and will give a taster of what to expect from attending a level 1 course.

Body Preparation & Conditioning Gymnastics

Description:  This workshop will provide key examples of conditioning and body preparation targeted at producing results in the development of core gymnastics skills. The workshop will cover power development, core stability and the development of fundamental body conditioning required by gymnasts. The workshop may be of interest to coaches from other sports looking to expand their knowledge and gain new ideas.

Women's Artistic Gymnastics

Description:  Aimed at qualified level 1 to 3 coaches operating within clubs and gymnastics classes this workshop will cover apparatus basics for the Women’s Artistic Apparatus: Vault, Bars, Beam, and Floor. Coaches will receive guidance on basic technique for skill development, physical preparation, and suggested progressions for the above apparatus. This will also be suitable for novice Men’s Artistic and General coaches for the apparatus generic to those disciplines.

Gymnastics Choreography

Description:  This workshop will provide gymnastics coaches with practical choreography techniques and exercises to develop their gymnasts’ skills, links and routine presentations.

Judging Courses

Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Assistant Judge (Floor & Vault) - Level 1

Description:  This course is aimed at parents and older gymnasts who are interested in becoming involved in judging Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. It will qualify candidates to assist at Club, District and Scottish level Women’s Artistic Floor and Vault Beginner/Intermediate Competitions. It not necessary to have previous experience in gymnastics as a coach or as a gymnast to take part in this course, but some experience of basic gymnastics skills will be beneficial. Minimum age is 15 years.

Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Local Judge (Floor & Vault) - Level 1

Description:  This course is aimed at parents, novice coaches and older gymnasts who are interested in becoming involved in judging Men’s Artistic Gymnastics. Candidates will be qualified to judge at Club, Regional and Scottish level Men’s Artistic Floor and Vault Competitions. It not necessary to have previous experience in gymnastics as a coach or as a gymnast to take part in this course, but some experience of basic gymnastics skills will be beneficial. Minimum age is 15 years old

Schools Gymnastics Floor & Vault Judge - Level 1

Description:  Covering gymnastics judging at a basic level this course will qualify you as a Scottish Gymnastics Schools Floor and Vault judge. Attendees will receive course material covering competition rules and judging theory, and will receive tutoring and practical judging practice on video. Anyone 16 years and over can apply including parents, gymnasts and teachers. Some knowledge of basic gymnastics skills will be beneficial but should not be essential

To receive application forms for the above courses contact Scottish Gymnastics on 01324 886590, and at www.scottishgymnastics.org

For further details on courses that might be running out with the Central/Forth Valley area please contact Scottish Gymnastics. If there is a course you are interested in that is not listed above please contact Andrew Webb, Regional Gymnastics Development Manager on 01786 432323 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to see if a course will be run in Central the near future.