Gymnastics

Gymnastics has a variety of disciplines to offer including trampolining catering to a wide range of participants. Through working together, learning skills and developing fundamental movements, gymnastics is a demonstrated foundation sport for all.
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What is gymnastics?

Gymnastics has featured in the School Games since 2013 and has seen over 280,000 participants. The Key Step activity was produced for primary school competitions and features floor, vault, and body management elements within it.

Gymnastics competitions within School Games allows participants new to gymnastics the opportunity to try different disciplines through the three key areas. The resources can be used by both School Games Organisers and teachers to learn routines and sequencing.

Find out more about how to runĀ gymnastics formats.

Equipment needed

  • Hoops
  • Benches
  • A spacious environment, with study support available (e.g. walls)
  • Apparatus
  • Soft mats
  • Box vaults / agility tables
  • Ribbons
  • Trampolines

A brief history of gymnastics

Gymnastics has its roots in Ancient Greece, where it was used as a method to train both the body and the mind. Over time, it focused less on strict disciplines and instead became a method to allow for individual expression.

Gymnastics gained an audience in the United States when the first gymnasium opened in Massachusetts in 1825. By1896, gymnastics had become widespread enough to be incorporated into the Olympics, where it has been included in every Games since then.

Today, gymnastics remains one the most popular Olympic sports. The United States are the highest ranking country currently competing within the Games, with a total of 117 medals. Great Britain are ranked 20th with 16 medals overall.

Get involved

The School Games is inclusive to all young people and provides opportunities for everyone to get involved, either within school, against other local schools, or at county or regional level.

School Games Organisers

School Games Organisers (SGO) help schools coordinate appropriate competitive opportunities for all young people from Key Stage 2-4, to recruit, train and deploy a suitable workforce, and to support the development of club.

Sign up to find your local SGO

Quick and easy gymnastics activities

We don't currently have any resources related to this sport.

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