Gym chief’s lifetime of service honoured
GYMNASTICS
THE woman behind the success of many of Tyneside’s top gymnasts has been honoured for her services to the sport, writes TONY HODGSON.
Karen Chapman, chief executive of the City of Newcastle Gym Academy, was presented with the Wilkinson Sword Lifetime Achievement Award by Sport Newcastle at their annual dinner.
Chapman, involved in gymnastics since she was 15, helped set up the Walkergatebased Academy five years ago and has seen it go from strength to strength.
She said: “It was brilliant to receive the award but I was lost for words when I discovered I had won it.
“It is great to be honoured. I have always loved gymnastics and it has turned from a hobby to a full-time job for me.
“The Academy is doing really well and this award is recognition of our efforts to make the sport accessible to people in the region.
“However, I could not have done this myself - I have a great team of coaches around me and none of our success would been possible without them.”
The Academy’s students have enjoyed success in local and national competitions - including most recently youngster Freddie Nelson.
Nelson - a Sport Newcastle Rising Stars of Sport Award winner in 2017 - finished a creditable seventh at the Under-14 British Championships in Birmingham.
He made the finals of the rings, parallel bars and vault disciplines, equalling the bronze medalists’ score on rings.
At the Men’s English Senior Championships, the Academy’s Harry Ross won a bronze medal on vault - in his first senior competition.
The Academy has also picked up the North of England Women’s Club of the Year Award for its regional success over the past year.
In TeamGym, the Academy claimed three gold medals at the English Championships early this year and is now looking forward to the British Championships at Northumbria University’s Sports Central next month.
Sport Newcastle vice-chairman Mike Booth said: “Karen was an obvious choice for our first Lifetime Achievement Award.
“She has devoted her life to the development of gymnastics in Newcastle.
“Her success as a coach and as someone who has coached the coaches for many years would have been enough on its own to merit the award.
“Then add in Karen’s contribution to British Gymnastics as a coach and judge.
“Also, her vision, commitment and dedication in establishing the world-class facility which is City of Newcastle Gymnastics Academy.
“That is why Karem was an overwhelming choice for this prestigious award.”