29. Februar 2016  
Great Britain  
Artistic Gymnastics

British Gymnastics: President, Alan Sommerville announces Retirement

Alan Sommerville (GBR)

* Baga-news--: The President of British Gymnastics, Alan Sommerville, retires at the end of February 2016. Alan was elected President in 2013, having been Chief Executive Officer at British Gymnastics between 2000 and December 2007 and Chairman of the Association between 2008 and 2013. Alan’s involvement in gymnastics began in the late 1960’s in coaching when he met nine-time British Champion and two-time Olympian, Nik Stuart. While Nik possessed technical expertise, it was Alan who quickly realised the potential of gymnastics on a UK-wide scale and together they introduced the sport to many communities around the country.

Sommerville: ... modernized gymnastics in the UK

They achieved this, in part, by organising gymnastics displays around the UK, establishing courses for coaches and judges and by taking every opportunity to spread the word about the sport. He also established the very first gymnastics club in Derbyshire – the Derwent Valley Gym Club, later renamed the Amber Valley Gymnastics Club. Alan’s involvement in gymnastics and British Gymnastics grew over the years, from club level to national level. He travelled extensively with gymnasts across the UK, Europe and America, taking teams to numerous displays and competitions and serving as Head of Delegation for UK teams competing at World and European Championships.
As British Gymnastics Chief Executive Officer, the first person to be appointed in this role, one of Alan’s remits was to modernise gymnastics in the UK. During this time, British international success started to improve. Among the success stories, the first ever full women’s team qualified for the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, Beth Tweddle won Britain’s first women’s world medal (bronze on bars in Anaheim, 2003) and Louis Smith won a bronze medal on the pommel horse in Beijing in 2008.
In 2008, Alan Sommerville was awarded with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to sport. Alan’s term of office as President come to an end amidst the most successful period of British Gymnastics, ever!
Speaking about his contribution to British Gymnastics, Chief Executive Officer, Jane Allen, said: “The end of Alan’s Presidency marks the end of an era for our Association. During his involvement with British Gymnastics, in a myriad of roles and offices over many years, Alan has helped drive our sport to become a sport enjoyed by hundreds and thousands around the UK and to deliver on the international stage, with our elite gymnasts being some of the very best in the world today. “On a personal level, I have enjoyed working with Alan over the past six years. I know all those involved in British Gymnastics would like to wish him the very best in his retirement.”