Gymnastics: Two youths receive scholarship certificates

Jul 24 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

SCHOLARSHIP awards were presented at Bell’s Sports Centre to young gymnasts in Perth and Kinross to help them achieve their full potential.

Nine-year-old Emily Ford, and Ryan McKerchar (10), both members of Perth Gymnastics Club, each received a scholarship certificate and an award of £350 towards training fees from members of the Perth and Kinross Gymnastics Development Group.

The Group, which brings together officers from the Council and Perth and Kinross Leisure, head and lead coaches of clubs and parent helpers, has established the awards this year with the aim of supporting gymnasts locally.

The scholarships will be awarded annually to young people from clubs in the Perth and Kinross area.

Alongside the financial support, each gymnast will also receive swimming and squash court passes from Perth and Kinross Leisure, free admission to the Noah’s Ark activity centre near Perth and vouchers for sports equipment and clothing from local retailers Campus Sports and Arabesque.

Both Emily and Ryan have had a very successful year, representing Scotland at national competitions. Emily, whose natural talent was first spotted two years ago at PKL classes held at Kinross High School, was one of only two Scottish gymnasts who qualified to compete at the National Compulsory Grades at Birmingham in May 2009. Ryan competed at the National Elite Grade Finals in Ipswich in April, and also at the Regional Performance Grade Finals in Newcastle in May where the Scottish Team won the overall gold medal.

Ryan’s mum, Linda McKerchar, explained how the scholarship will help him to continue his progress in gymnastics: “Ryan’s training takes place in Perth, Alloa, Glasgow and Largs and the travelling and training costs are expensive, so the scholarship funding will be a real help.

Other parts of the scholarship will also help him increase his fitness.

This award provides great support and opportunities for Ryan and we really appreciate it.”