AGM 2025
- Details
- Written by: Emily Knight
The Annual General Meeting of Sussex Gymnastics was held on Wednesday, 8 May 20:30 at the The Jack & Jill Inn, Clayton, BN6 9PD
Present
Emily Knight
Beth Burchett
Maddie Angell
Tracy Angell
Michelle West
Sarah Dyson-Bottle
Josie O’Connor
Julie Belchamber
Kim Mirceta-Nash
Richard Keasley
Emma Ballancore
Lisa Jestico
Heather Sampford
Apologies for Absence
Southbourne GC
Stars GC
Keith Walter
Sally-Anne Warner
Dawn Hyland
Mike Gevaux
Mark Poore
1. Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes from the last meeting (5th February) were agreed to be correct. There were no questions or matters arising. We also looked back at the 2024 AGM notes and it is good to see things are being implemented.
2. Chair’s Report
New criteria for general has come out this year in 2025 - first used at Sussex Nov and Int in March.
Improve coaching standards - how to make it more inclusive for everyone, regardless of gymnastics background.
How can we get more people involved - more people come to meetings?
Other involvement from people who aren’t necessarily coaching - how can they gain experience?
Identify where we are struggling (coaches etc) - how can we get people to stay and remain involved.
3. Treasurer’s Report
Report attached
Treasurer was not present at the AGM, but good to see that the county are using their money well and creating profit from events.
4. Discipline Reports
General
There is a county floor and vault for advanced and above on 15th June, lots of entries have been submitted so far.
Workshop on 10th May - Judging 2hr recap/workshop at Brighton GC - email Kim if attending
More artistry at top end of criteria - written in rules - ask Kim if any questions
Confirmation of vaults and qualifying scores will be solidified after workshop on Saturday 10th and Kim’s meeting - to be put in place for regional BSG on 18th May
With regards to new criteria:
Movement of needle scale - to be upped in value for general gymnastics
Straight arm rolls - consensus across the board in the region - so is the rule for all rolls
Backwards roll THROUGH handstand - bent arms but every other is straight
Another county workshop for judging to be put in - funding from Sussex gymnastics (to be confirmed at meeting on Sat 10/5)
There were lots of youth leaders at Sussex Nov and Int in March, which made for a successful day!
Regional floor and vault dates 2026:
17th May - Bronze, Silver, Gold
28th June - Intermediate
29th Nov - Advanced
6th Dec - Novice
County floor and vault dates 2026:
22nd Mar - Novice and Intermediate
Still trying to find a venue and date for Advanced, Bronze, Silver and Gold - hopefully K2.
Festival
Some other clubs taking part in festivals - need to communicate with Sarah to be included - to have access to emails about opportunities etc
Festivals etc can be quite costly
Practice days etc - don’t have to be high level - accessible to all levels/numbers
Acrobatics
Trampoline / DMT
3 county comps - Sussex individual and synchro and DMT
Some more comps planned as seen in report.
Successful individuals from 6 clubs will attend a South East Training day
Low comp numbers - half of pre covid - loss of some trampolining clubs may have caused this
Meeting at end of county comps with other clubs to discuss queries/questions etc regarding the event and upcoming events
Judging changes coming up - revalidation
Trying to get volunteers into judging - higher levels (might need to run on less panels as lack of high level judges)
Trampoline judges/tumble don’t always get paid
Tumble
Team-gym
Men's Artistic
Lack of gymnasts and coaches and judges
Only one club in the county - Hawth
Quite a high level at Hawth, may not be so accessible for younger gymnasts
Accessible comps - 2 years out of age
Equipment can be expensive/space consuming - not so accessible to all - not got space in some smaller gyms
Be gymnastics potentially interested - some adults like it so have some equipment, so may decide to begin men’s artistic - enter low level comps to begin with
Women's Artistic
Pre covid numbers if not more
Younger coaches not keeping it as a full time career
8 clubs - various levels
Sussex invitational been put out to clubs in surrounding areas - Berkshire/Hampshire/Kent/Surrey
Not many elite/performance level clubs - Horsham and Uckfield
County/regional training opened up for other clubs/coaches to come along
Large regional entry amounts for grades
WA harder for judges as so many rules/levels in one competition - trying to follow similar pattern for grades and challenge
High performance funding has helped a lot - less pressure on clubs
Try to bring someone in to do different aspects at squads - E.g., Beam Complex
Lisa passed National judging - Sussex helped with funding - very grateful - there for support (new criteria etc)
Increase in ex gymnasts etc coming through as coaches - but struggle to retain after 18 when going to uni/travelling etc
Uni students/language schools - gymnasts etc can train/coaches come to new clubs from universities etc
5. Welfare Report
6. Election of Officers
Chair
Heather Sampford wished to step down from the role of chair, but was willing to be considered for vice chair.
Emma Ballancore and Sarah Dyson-Bottle both wished to be considered for the position of chair for this upcoming year.
There was a vote by the clubs present (each club having one vote). The majority of clubs present voted for Emma Ballancore.
Vice Chair
Following the vote for chair, Sarah Dyson-Bottle and Heather Sampford wished to stand for the role of vice chair.
There was a vote by the clubs present (each club having one vote). The majority of clubs present voted for Heather Sampford.
| Position | Candidate |
Proposed |
Seconded |
| Chair | Emma Ballancore | [voted] | |
| Vice-chair | Heather Sampford | [voted] | |
| Treasurer | Keith Walter | Kim Mirceta-Nash | Heather Sampford |
| Secretary | Emily Knight | Lisa Jestico | Kim Mirceta-Nash |
With regards to the treasurer role, the secretary is to put out an email - ask for anyone with bookkeeping/accountancy/bursary etc over 18 and ask whether they would like to shadow the role of the treasurer for this upcoming year - potential paid role?
7. Discipline representatives
Most discipline representatives were willing to stand again. They were agreed on block. Those that were not in attendance were agreed by the committee before the secretary emailed them to confirm they were willing to stand for another year.
| Position | Candidate |
| General |
Kim Mirceta-Nash |
| Festival | Sarah Dyson-Bottle |
| Acrobatic | Charlotte Wynne-Pennels |
| Rhythmic | |
| Trampoline / DMT | Julie Belchamber |
| Tumble | Nikki Huggins Mark Poore |
| Team-gym | Sally-Anne Warner |
| Men's Artistic | Richard Keasley |
| Women's Artistic | Lisa Jestico |
8. Other roles
The welfare officers were agreed by the committee, before the secretary emailed to check they were willing to stand again for 2025/2026
| Position | Candidate |
| Welfare officer | Mike Gevaux Dawn Hyland |
9. Any other business
9.1 Judging
Higher level judges needed - in all disciplines
In WA only one National and no regional judges in the county
More judge workshops within county (for getting people started and building up to higher levels) - nice to have the knowledge in advanced - higher level judges to run these
Judging potentially going to self learning then an assessment online - falls a lot onto the clubs - daunting when young etc - some judging courses are too hard - more experience prior needed
9.2 Coaching involvement
More youth leaders/volunteers/coaches at competitions (county etc) - learning valuable experience - could then follow up with development workshop
Younger judges/future judges to shadow more at competitions - could be funded
County training - WA artistry talk at beginning - tries to do a different subject at beginning each time to build on knowledge and help coaches learn new things
Workshops got to be within your club - needs to have follow up workshops (credentials - support judging/coaching throughout the club) - voucher/funding/rewards - more likely to go on to do the higher levels
Not same support level at regional level (particularly in general)
Can have shadow judges at regional events etc - youth leader/volunteer - could this help have more judges etc within the county (contact reps/organisers)?
Consistent with communication and timings of the workshops etc - website/email
Level 1s shadowed/mentored on comp floor
Give support of these opportunities from committee - discipline reps
Contribution of £5/10 per club/person when running workshops - confirmed attendance etc.
9.3 Funding Proposal
More information can be found here: Expansion of Funding
Proposal - double expenditure that Sussex gave last year for education and high performance
£20,000 spent on that subject - clubs to be aware that there is that cap
High performance funding is done individually - passing through Lisa to Keith - set aside budget
Ensure caps for each area are clear to applicants
Wording on policy/proposal needs to be more than one person accepting offers - treasurer and another committee member? - to be bought up at next committee meeting to speak to Keith
Happy for £20,000 to be spent in those areas - agreed by committee - capped per club - review this every year at the AGM
County workshops take priority - judging/coaching
9.4 Communication
Speak to people to improve communication and knowledge e.g., at competitions - give contact details - contact through website - stick to emails (doesn’t always go to correct person - send to discipline rep)
A discussion of a closed Facebook page was had - potentially too open to parents?
Emails for reps - specific to county
9.5 Meetings
Happy with daytime (11am starts approximately) and travelling around for meetings.
Likely to be between K2 in Crawley and John Selden Pub in Durrington - Emily to book and communicate.
The dates are:
16th July 2025
15th October 2025
4th February 2026
6th May 2026 - AGM
9.6 Vision
Vision for county - proposals for agenda at next committee meeting - how are we going to achieve the diversity etc and keep up the rate of judges and coaches.
The meeting ended at 22:26.
- Details
- Written by: Julie Belchamber
Sussex Trampoline & DMT Discipline Report
7th May 2025
Sussex Gymnastics AGM
Sussex Competitions since last AGM
16th June 2024 – TRA Sussex County Clubs – Uckfield 60 entries, from 6 Sussex Clubs
29th June 2024 – DMT Sussex Championships – Durrington
7 entries, from 2 Sussex Clubs
30th June 2024 – TRA & TRS Sussex Championships – Worthing
117 individual entries, 10 synchro pairs, from 6 Sussex Clubs
13th October 2024 – TRA Sussex County Clubs – Durrington 56 entries, from 5 Sussex Clubs
26th January 2025 – TRA Sussex County Clubs – Seaford 58 entries, from 5 Sussex Clubs
11th May 2025 – TRA Sussex County Clubs – Uckfield (planned) 64 entries, from 6 Sussex Clubs
12th October 2025 – TRA Sussex County Clubs – Durrington (planned)
12th October 2025 – DMT Sussex Championships – Durrington (planned)
2nd November 2025 – TRA & TRS Sussex Championships – Seaford (planned)
Inter-Regional Challenge Cup Final 2025
There are 25 Individual trampoline qualifiers from 6 Sussex clubs and 8 DMT qualifiers from 2 Sussex clubs, these gymnasts will attend a South East training day on 18th May 2025 and compete for the South East team the weekend of 11th-13th July, in Birmingham
National Pathway Squads 2025
There is one Sussex trampoline gymnast on the England Trampoline Programme and 3 Sussex DMT gymnasts on the England DMT Programmes, these are: -
• Evie Belchamber – England Trampoline Programme Performance Trampoline & DMT Academy
• Butterfly Buckley-Ashford – England DMT Programme
Sky High Trampoline Gymnastics Academy
• Summer Nightingale-Keech – England DMT Programme Sky High Trampoline Gymnastics Academy
• Frederick Cullen – England DMT Programme Performance Trampoline & DMT Academy
Julie Belchamber
Sussex Trampoline & DMT Discipline Representative May 2025
- Details
- Written by: Heather Sampford
Chairman’s Report – Sussex Gymnastics, 2025
Dear Members, Coaches, and Volunteers,
It is a pleasure to present the Chairman’s Report for Sussex Gymnastics for the year 2025. This has been a year of progress, and achievement for the county, and all members proud of what they have accomplished together.
Achievements and Milestones
This year, the county has excelled in numerous competitions. County funds increased by more than 10,000 competitions that took place, 10 in all. This is a testament to the hard work of our club managers, coaches, volunteers
Financial Overview
From a financial perspective, we have seen steady growth thanks to competitions held in the county. The introduction of new competitions and events has helped boost income streams, ensuring that we can reinvest in the county. We remain in a strong financial position, and we are grateful for the continued support of our county members
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
While we’ve had a successful year, we’ve also faced challenges, particularly in terms of Ongoing shortage of qualified coaches, these being addressed through judging workshops, coach funding by the county and an updated general competitive criteria has helped more general gymnasts to take part in competitive events.
Looking Ahead
We plan to further improve our coaching standards by investing in continued education for our coaches. We are also exploring new ways to make gymnastics more inclusive, especially for underrepresented groups in our community. In the coming year, we aim to increase our competition participation and build on our past successes, with the ultimate goal of nurturing even more champions—both on and off the mat.
Closing Remarks
In closing, thanks to each and every one of you for your hard work and support throughout the year. Sussex Gymnastics continues to grow and thrive because of the dedication of our members, gymnasts, coaches, volunteers, and families. We look forward to another year of success and community at Sussex Gymnastics.
Thank you once again for your continued commitment to our county
Chairman, Sussex Gymnastics
- Details
- Written by: Sarah Dyson-Bottle
Festival discipline report May 2025
Chichester & Dysons continue to be actively involved in festival events around the UK with both clubs now getting ready to take part in Gymnastique Magique in October 2025.
Other clubs in Sussex taking part:
I believe other Sussex clubs are involved in festivals at some level as we have seen posts on social media etc but to date these are the only two clubs that have confirmed they are taking part in festivals and provide regular updates.
If anyone wants to be included in these updates in future do contact me
For any clubs interested in getting involved in Festivals here are a list of future events:
· GymFusion York 28th June 2025. Theme is storytellers - Entry fee £22 per person. Entry deadline 16th May 2025
· GymFusion Aylesbury *date TBC* Theme is storytellers
https://www.british-gymnastics.org/find-an-event
· London gymnastics festival 10th-12th October 2025.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/4828134054/about
British Gymnastics has started putting out initial information for anyone intersted in taking part in either EuorGym in Pistoia in 2026 or World Gymnaestrada in Portugal in 2027, if anyone would like more info on how to get involved in these then email
I am aware there are many more available than I have listed above and will try to include as many as I know about each time.
I would appreciate anyone that is aware of ones that go on in & out of the UK forwarding links or emails to me
- Details
- Written by: Lisa Jestico
Women’s Artistic AGM Report 2025
150 gymnasts competed at the Sussex Championships this year showing the depth within the 8 clubs that entered.
160 gymnasts took part in the Sussex Invitational with 7 clubs from Sussex and a club from Surrey taking part.
13 Sussex gymnasts were selected into the South-East Regional squad. These gymnasts are from Horsham, Uckfield, TAG and Wickers.
4 Sussex gymnasts competed at National Finals in November with 5 representing Sussex at the Rushmoor Rosebowl International. Teams from America, Sweden, Wales and England were represented this year.
November saw Georgia Stables (Hor) represent Great Britain at the Olympic hopes in Czechia. The team placed 3rd and Georgia placed 14th individually.
National Finals took place for the FIG development and Classic Challenge levels with many Sussex gymnasts representing the South-East. There were many fantastic achievements and medals won, as well as 2 gymnasts gaining British Championship qualification.
English Championships saw 6 gymnasts from Sussex competing. 4 gymnasts gained qualification to the British Championships with Bella Fry-May (Hor) winning a bronze medal on floor in the Aspire category.
British Championships had 2 Sussex based gymnasts in the Aspire category and 2 in the Senior category. Lucy Murray-Watson (Hor) placed 27th in GB and Bella Fry-May (Hor) placed 26th in GB in the Aspires. Amelie Beadle-Gates (Hor) placed 30th in GB and Georgia Stables (Hor) placed 10th in GB in the Senior category. Georgia qualified to the senior Bar final in 3rd place and placed 7th in the final. Bella qualified to both the floor and Vault Aspire finals, placing 5th on floor and taking the silver medal on vault.
Georgia has been selected into the England Senior squad and Bella has been invited to an Aspire England assessment day.
The National judging course took place in April with results waiting to be received. Regional and club judge dates will follow once organised but likely to be around June/July.
- Details
- Written by: Kim Mirceta-Nash, Beth Burchett and Heather Sampford
GG Report for Sussex Gymnastics 5.5.25
GG Reps: Kim Mirceta Nash – Brighton GC, Beth Burchett- Wickers, Heather Sampford- Worthing
Progress report
1. Novice & Inter Sussex Champs – held at Lancing Leisure Centre on 23rd March.
Was a great Success we had over 300 participants and added another floor and vault judging panel.
This competition was the first of the new regional criteria for the county,
Many Thanks to everyone who HELPED ON THE DAY, and special thanks to Dawn who was available on the day as welfare as in previous years she was a great help.
Would just like to say that the response from our youth leadership team at the event was massive and very well received a credit to all gymnasts and clubs who volunteered! A brilliant day to learn how an event like this runs down to judging and event management.
2. We have now secured K2 to host the Advanced Bronze Silver and Gold GG F&V Sussex Championships this will be on Sunday the 15th of June, entries via gymevent and close on 14th of May.
3. We have a county judging workshop available to all judges and coaches who want a recap. based on the new criteria for 2025 on Saturday 10th of May @ Brighton Girls school BN1 3AT, if anyone would like to attend, please email me, it is free.
(Please note this is not a qualification course it is just a workshop to clarify new SE rules)
4. We would like to investigate running Full workshop day based on the new criteria combined with routine construction for the county so that smaller clubs and young development leaders/ coaches could attend giving them opportunity to get involved and have an improved understanding of the new Criteria and skills. This would be a one-day event, possibly Morning for coaching development and afternoon for judging.
If we put a budget sheet together is this something that the county would consider and pay for with a nominal fee being paid by local clubs to attend? - Looking for a venue
Action to be taken in the next 6 months.
1. County GG Development Workshop
2. Look into starting Back up the Sussex 4x4 also in 2025/202
- Details
- Written by: Keith Walter and Sally-Anne Warner
Finance Review 2024/5 and proposal for 2025/6
Introduction
At the close of last year, the County assets were almost £60,000.
County funds last year increased by £13,500 and the year before by almost £13,000
We are now in a position where we have enough funds to support any emergency.
Our County funding is very simple, most income comes from entry fees for county sponsored competitions less the costs of running the competitions. The model we use is equally simple the organiser determines the entry fees and the expenses; the remainder is given to the county.
We need to consider the way forward for next year, and I have had a meeting with Sally-Anne to put together a proposal.
Last year we used just under £9,000 of the competition surplus to support training coaching and judging throughout the year, plus for the first time high performance gymnasts.
My proposal for the coming year to raise the profile of the county in the gymnastic community, and to enhance our clubs skill levels, is to double the funding available for training and development to £20,000, a sum probably unmatched anywhere in the UK
Funding will come from the expected surplus this year.
The attached paper sets out the proposal in detail.
Keith Walter
County Treasurer
Sussex Funding Proposal
Coaching
Helpers / Level 1 to High Performance
Judging
On line club judge to Brevet
Support of 50% to £900 per club per year
High Performance Gymnasts
Funding to gymnasts selected for home nation squad where costs are not met by region / home nation
Up to £200 per gymnast
Other Costs
Accommodation costs where a coach is required to stay overnight due to distance for a course
Individually agreed
CPD for level 3 and above
Workshops which extend knowledge and gain experience of Coaching that can be passed on to Sussex gymnasts
Costs agreed separately for each event
Squad Training
Costs incurred by coach invited to attend National squad training when costs are not covered by BG or Home Nations
Costs agreed separately for each event
First Aid/ Mental Health Awareness
County to facilitate workshops for new and or young coaches to develop their understanding and awareness of accident prevention and understanding of the needs of young children / adults
Other workshops
Ad hoc workshops to support training and development
Funding agreed for each event separately
Controls
All applications must be agreed by the treasurer before funding takes place, and proof of spend will be required
The treasurer will administer funding and may refer applications that require guidance to the discipline representative before accepting the application
The treasurer will present a quarter report at each committee meeting listing all funding approved for review and to keep the committee updated on applications
In the event of the total of £20,000 being reached or should circumstances significantly change then the committee may amend this proposal without notice to clubs
- Details
- Written by: Keith Walter
Sussex Gymnastics County Treasurers Report
Year to 1st April 2025
I am pleased to be able to report on a very good financial year for the county.
The county funds increased by more than £10,000 driven by the enhanced income from the competitions that took place in the year, 10 in all.
The surplus from these competitions after paying all costs was just over £20,000
Just under half of this surplus £9,000 was used to support training throughout the county in two areas.
For the 3rd year running the county committee agreed to support affiliated clubs who booked BG courses for coaches levels 1-3 and judges, here support grants of 50% were given.
The county committee also agreed to trial this year using some of its competition income to help fund gymnasts at the highest level who represent GB or home nations. This funding was welcomed both by clubs and individuals and take up was high.
Finally, some of the county funds were transferred into a building society club account, so that these funds earn interest for the county.
Keith Walter
County Treasurer
- Details
- Written by: Emily Knight
The Annual General Meeting of Sussex Gymnastics will be held on Wednesday, 7th May 20:30 at the The Jack & Jill Inn, Clayton, BN6 9PD.
Apologies for absence
Keith Walter
Sally-Anne Warner
Amanda Wadman
Jade Wadman
Chair’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Discipline Reports
- General
- Festival
- Acro
- Rhythmic
- Trampoline and DMT
- Tumble
- Team-gym
- Men's Artistic
- Women's Artistic
Welfare report
Election of Officers
Both Emma Ballancore (Summerfields) and Sarah Dyson-Bottle (Dyson) have expressed their interest in becoming chair.
Keith is keen to be treasurer for another year, but suggests that we start to look for someone to work alongside him to eventually take over.
| Position |
| Chair |
| Vice-chair |
| Treasurer |
| Secretary |
Discipline representatives
| Position |
| General |
| Festival |
| Acrobatic |
| Rhythmic |
| Trampoline / DMT |
| Tumble |
| Team-gym |
| Men's Artistic |
| Women's Artistic |
Other roles
| Position |
| Welfare officer |
Any other business
Are we changing the funding April 2025-March 2026?
https://www.gym-sussex.org.uk/library/funding
Are we going to keep performance funding as 2024-2025?
https://www.gym-sussex.org.uk/download/2024-agm/performance-funding
Improved communication with clubs as not all are aware of what is on offer (funding etc) - not just website/email. Facebook page? Or any other ideas?
Expansion of Sussex Funding for Coaches and Judges - by Sally-Anne and Keith - may need to be further discussed in a further committee meeting as both are away for this AGM - Richard and Lisa to explain?
Expansion of Funding - Please find attached the proposal
Meeting times and venues - 11am seemed to be a good time for meetings when a poll was done. AGM to remain at Jack and Jill on a Wed evening, but other meetings to swap between venues such as K2 and John Selden pub, so they are more distributed around the county.
Meeting dates 2025-2026
There will be four committee meetings over the year (including the AGM).
These will be held on:
16th July 2025
15th October 2025
4th February 2026
6th May - AGM 2026
- Details
- Written by: Richard Keasley
April 2024 – March 2025
Sussex Clubs
Hawth is the only club active in this discipline. Hawth has 2 coaches, 1 judge and around 15 competing gymnasts.
Hawth has 2 gymnasts in the Welsh squad, 1 in Scottish squad and 1 gymnast in the Swedish national squad.
The discipline would benefit from more people getting involved.
Competition and events
There are quite a few events in the region, covering a wide range of ability and levels.
Voluntary Championships (28 April 2024): This event includes an introductory level for new clubs and less experienced gymnasts.
British teams (June 2024): Hawth sent a team to the British Clubs Teams.
Swedish Championships (June 2024): Jasper Carminger represented Sweden during the year. He was placed second at the Swedish Championships.
Grades Qualifiers (September 2024): This event includes out of age categories for less experienced gymnasts.
Grades Finals (November 2024): The south-east level 5 team was entirely made up from Hawth gymnasts. This team was placed second. Based on these results, one member (Alfie Morgan) was invited to the Grades Reward Camp at Lilleshall.
Home Nations' Championships (March 2025): 5 gymnasts from Hawth competed in either the Scottish, Welsh or English Championships.
George Pattison was 3rd in Scottish Under 14.
James Llewellyn was 2nd in Welsh Under 16.
British Championships (March 2025): From the home nation events, Hawth entered 3 gymnasts into the British Championships.