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Gymnastics Coach

Andy Shard: Gymnastics Coach

Location: Runcorn, Cheshire

Andy Shard has a sports history of rugby/football. He had never done gymnastics but became involved as a British Gymnastics Development Officer. Andy says his work in Special Olympics means everything to him.

“There is no reward like seeing an athlete progress. Like someone who can be so shy and unsure they are even wary about taking off their shoes and socks reaching a point when they can perform a competition routine in front of judges and an audience.”

Andy has seen his own daughter Casey Leigh achieve a huge amount as a gymnast and has felt very proud and in awe of the hard work she’s put into that achievement.

“As a coach you can only teach a gymnast the moves, help each individual find the key to unlock their unique potential. The best moments are when that individual takes over and takes it further.

Andy says his work as a Special Olympics coach is full of very emotional moments, like the first time he sees a gymnast with movement and coordination difficulties turn a somersault. He says that’s what real sporting achievement is all about. He has coached mainstream athletes and says there is a lot they take for granted.

“If all our mainstream sportsmen and women worked half as hard as Special Olympics athletes, we would be a world-beating nation.”

TO ARRANGE AN INTERVIEW WITH THE ATHLETES OR COACHES, PLEASE CONTACT THE SOGB NATIONAL OFFICE.

TELEPHONE: 020 7696 5569 OR EMAIL TO: pr@sogb.org.uk