One rule for us, another for them??

[*Sarah*]

I was watching the video from the World cup (was in the gym, one of our gymnasts taped it and it's only just got round to me!) and yes there were coaches and gymnasts wearing jewellery and watches etc but I accept that they were from other countries.

Why then, was Amanda Kirby wearing a watch whilst spotting her gymnast on bars??!!
Does she not have to abide by the same rules as us lowly little coaches or is it a different rule for those 'who produce the goods'?

I do EXPECT someone from the BG to ANSWER this question.

[Ruthie]

i agree is is totally hipicritical. also how come as coaches due to child protection we can not hug a gymnast to say well done after a compertition where as all the coaches shown at international compertitions can be seen doing this all the time.

[Helen Webb]

Posted below is a response from Matthew Greenwood, Performance Manager at BG:

"Thank you for your enquiry. Having exhausted considerable staff time reviewing the BBC transmission, I can clarify that Amanda was not spotting Beth whilst wearing a watch at the World Cup Final. The purpose of the BG policy is to prevent injury occurring from jewellery whilst supporting the gymnast. I acknowledge that Amanda was indeed wearing a watch but that she was not actually supporting Beth during her routine, she merely removed the springboard. I therefore do not believe that any BG policy has been broken."

I hope that answers your query.
Many thanks
Helen

[peter edge]

Well done B.G.!!! That must be the quickest response we`ve seen yet!!http://www.british-gymnastics.org/memberforum/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Kelly Jordan]

Yes *claps hands* - but obviously not in a mocking way - very quick response ...
But what about this child protection thingy and coaches hugging their gymnasts?!?!

[*Sarah*]

As I understood it, no jewellery etc should be worn whilst on the comp area. Is this not the case then?

Lucky Beth didn't need her coach to catch her in an emergency then........

[peter edge]

I`m not to sure about the in`s and out`s of this ruling but I know that as soon as I, and my other half, go into the gym watches etc.. come off, basically coaches must lead by example then the finger of contradiction cannot be pointed when telling the kids to remove theirs.

[Clarabel]

A large number of international gymnasts are coached by parents and parents of friends whom they have grown up with as family friends, so I guess if it is your mum/best mate's mum you just hug each other. Not sure about the rest of them though...

[*Sarah*]

Ok, it may seem like I am stirring but I'm not. Infact I am annoyed and disappointed that I, like many forum users,follow the rules as sent out by BG, which seem to have been brought in incase of litigation etc, and still the top coaches can do what they like. http://80.68.90.51/memberforum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Please look at the following link to download some very recent footage and see if there is a watch on the left wrist of the coach who is spotting and not just moving the board.....

http://s41.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1O0LTU1VFJN2D32P1CQZP8GW0X

What do you reckon??

[Gingerheid]

Maybe it's an, ehm, eh, ... yeah, it does look like a watch.

Thankfully I never ever wear a watch so I'm never ever likely to forget to take it off, but like everyone else I can get caught out forgetting to look for watches / jewellery on people bouncing. Hopefully getting better now!

[*Sarah*]

I don't stand there and actively look for jewellery etc but when you're so used to not seeing it in your own gym, then you tend to notice it more when it is present.


Interesting that there has been no reply from the powers that be this time....;)

[BritCheer]

Sarah! Although it may seem like some of the coaches are not obiding by the rules, thats their problem. If they choose to disregard the rules and wear watches, thats up to them, but no one will support them when the law suit comes their way, when that watch scratches someones son or daughter. I think its wrong to say that it's a BG problem, BG make every effort to ensure coaches are trained well, one girl i know took her exam twice before she passed. They are trying, and when a few, 'think-their-big' coaches come along and wear prohibitted items, thats not really the fault of BG. On the note about hugging gymnasts, if i see some good work in the gym and that kid is excited, i hug them. Its a more encouraging sign of getting better, a high-5 doesn't always cut it!

[*Sarah*]

Sarah! Although it may seem like some of the coaches are not obiding by the rules, thats their problem. If they choose to disregard the rules and wear watches, thats up to them, but no one will support them when the law suit comes their way, when that watch scratches someones son or daughter.
I think its wrong to say that it's a BG problem, BG make every effort to ensure coaches are trained well, one girl i know took her exam twice before she passed. They are trying, and when a few, 'think-their-big' coaches come along and wear prohibitted items, thats not really the fault of BG.

I am not disputing BGs ability to train coaches etc, what I am saying is that BG has issued all its members with rules and surely our national coaching team are members of BG and should abide by the same rules as everyone else.
It is a problem when others turn a blind eye or turn round and say, if it's ok for them, then it's ok for us and you only need one publicity hungry US litigating style lawyer to turn it round on the organisation and more lawsuits and another hike in fees ...! (climbing off soapbox now ;) )

As taken from BG...
The policy applies to all participants and coaches in training and in events at home and abroad.
Failure to conform with this policy will prohibit the individual’s participation on the grounds of reasonable safety and may render the individual’s insurance invalid should an accident result directly from non-compliance with this policy.


As to the hugging, that was not an issue raised by myself...

[BritCheer]

If your talking legal reasons, technically BG could not recieve lawsuits as they have acted in issuing guidelines for coach, and thus refer all blame to the offending coach! I can understand why you'd think people should obey by the rules, the simple fact is, people get distracted and make mistakes, i'm sure she did it without knowing! She is professional enough to know when a gymnast will require help!