HISTORY OF BRITISH GYMNASTICS
From 1888 onwards, British Gymnastics has grown from humble beginnings helping to forge the shape of what we now see as gymnastics worldwide.
Pre 1980
1900
The second Olympic Games are held in Paris. Lloyd Phillips from Newport, South Wales, takes part along with four other gymnasts, William Pearce from London, William Connor, Broadbec, and Hiatt. Lloyd is recognised as the first Welsh athlete to compete in an Olympic Games.
Above – Welsh Olympic Gymnast Lloyd Philips
1900
The Adams’ Shield National team competition takes place for the first time. This is the men’s club championship and is open to all UK clubs. Clubs from Scotland, Ireland, and England competed with Dundee being the winner. The event is held at the new premises of the Dolobran Athletic club whose membership, having grown to 700 members, required a new facility. This is made possible with the help of the Cadbury family. The Friends Institute on Moseley Road in Birmingham is still standing.
Above – Early winners of the Adams Shield – this is either Leith Gymnasium or Carnegie Dumferline probably with Councillor Adams by his shield. The Scottish Shield first competed for in 1891 is seen left.
Gymnastics now takes place in schools and even orphanages.
1902
The Welsh Amateur Gymnastic and Wrestling Association was formed.
1903
Wales holds their first competition – The Senior Challenge Shield for men’s club teams.
The photo shows St Saviours winning in 1909. The Welsh Shield is still in use for the men’s Welsh Team Championships.
1904
A ladies’ Club competition is instituted by the Birmingham & District Amateur Gymnastics Association. Lozells Athletic Club wins this first title. This is the first recorded ladies’ event. The Yorkshire AGA followed in 1906 when Halifax R.E.S. won the Silver Rose Bowl.
This is the Bradford Gym Club with what is presumed to be the Yorkshire Rose Bowl. This photo is circa 1909 to 1912 when Bradford won the trophy.
1908
1908 LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES
Walter Tysall (Birmingham Athletic Institute) – SILVER. The first Olympic medal for GB. 45 gymnasts listed in the team that came 6th
Photo of Walter Tysall – courtesy of Linda Russell
The International Gymnastics Board is set up to assist the organisation of the London Games. It went on to be known as the Amateur Gymnastics Federation of Great Britain and Ireland. Lawrence Levy acted as the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, a post he held until 1911 when it seems that the AGF of Great Britain and Ireland disappeared.
The AGF and the British Olympic Association agreed a programme for the individual competition for the London Olympics. The programme was known as the Heptathlon, there were 7 disciplines for the games. Rules and timings were agreed upon for the team competition and displays. The displays are non competitive and are open to women. The organisation was not without problems. Levy records that Lord Desborough President of the British Olympic Association was heard to mutter between his teeth, “This show will be the greatest fiasco the world has ever seen” However it seems that order came out of chaos although Levy compared the 1896 Athens Stadium classical look, with that of Shepherds Bush Arena resembling a glorified football stadium.
The Carnegie Gymnastics Club, Dunfermline became the proud winners of the Adams Shield and the Scottish Shield.
Carnegie Gymnasium Club – 1908 winners of the Adams Shield and the Scottish Shield
It is recorded at this time by the European Gymnastics Federation (the forerunner to the FIG) that Great Britain was made up of 4 federations, had 200 societies and 60,000 members.
1909
The English Championships are held in Birmingham. 12 gymnasts compete from England and Wales. 4 disciplines only make up the event, parallel bars, horizontal bar, pommel horse, and a choice of jump or rope climb. This does not conform with the Olympic programme, which in 1908, also included rings and in 1912 it was the same minus the Rope Climb. Only one judge officiates at this event. It seems that everything is marked out of 20.
Above – Programme – 1909 English Gymnastics Championships
Above – Results sheet – 1909 English Gymnastics Championships
The AGA is described as ‘The only legislative Gymnastic Body in England recognised by the Amateur Athletic Association’, and the only English Gymnastic organisation working in cooperation with the Scottish, Irish, and Welsh Amateur Gymnastic Associations. The war with the NPRS has ended. See 1890 entry.
Bertie Stell of Luddenden Foot Congregational Gymnastics Club was suspended by the Yorkshire Gymnastics Association for accepting a job as a physical education teacher with the Hebden Bridge Education Committee.This is just one example of the implementation of the AGA’s amateur rules. He was later reinstated and became a YGA judge.
1910
The AGA headquarters move back to London and Charles West becomes the Honorary Secretary for the next 20 years – seemingly keeps the association going from 1910 – 1930.
Charles West honorary secretary of the AGA. Photo courtesy John West & ADTRV videos.
The 1910 – 11 Adams Shield rules. For this event 6 gymnasts are required for each team which can be a club team or town team providing each gymnast is a member of a club within the administrative area of the town. Performance on the apparatus for the event will be divided between the six, so each gymnast performs only 3 events.
1910 – 11 Adams’ Shield rules
1911
Ireland and Scotland are unable to provide teams for the International Teams Championships due to be held in Belfast. This is the end of these championships which had been an annual affair since 1899.
All of the members of AGA agreed that for the English Championships instead of the rope climb being judged by distance it is to be judged by speed; 21 feet in 10 seconds to score 10 points, if 12 seconds then only 8 points.
At this time, nearly every gym had ropes hanging from the ceiling; the Ushaw College Gym in Durham is no exception.
Above – 1890s Ushaw College Gym displaying their ropes – Catholic Priest College, Durham
1912
Stockholm Olympics
6th – 15th July
Individual competition included high bar, parallel bars, pommels and rings.
Team GB 23 men Albert Betts, Harry Dickenson, Samuel Hodgetts, Alfred Messenger, Edward Pepper, Charles Vigurs, Samuel Walker, John Whitaker, Sidney Cross, Bernard Wallis Franklin, Edward Potts, Reginald Potts, George Ross, Henry Oberholzer, Charles Simmons, Arthur Southern, Ronald McLean, Charles Luck, Herbert Drury, William McKune, William Tilt, William Cowhig, Leonard Hanson
Men’s Team – BRONZE; the first British team to win a medal at the Olympics.
A fundraising scheme for the Olympics is introduced.
In July, the Olympic Games took place in Stockholm. The team officials are Charles West, Honorary Secretary, Rudolf Oberholzer coach and P W Nicholson assistant honorary secretary. Above the GB Team on the Pommel Horses.
In this year, several gymnasts were suspended for breaching amateur rules; a section had to be signed by each competitor to declare their amateur status.
1912 Conditions and entry form English Champs
1913
A 1d subscription per gymnast is approved by the AGA Council, the Capitation Scheme, estimating that it could bring in a total of £36 with the addition of monies from Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
1913 Capitation Scheme
1914
July war is declared – the AGA members respond. A letter dated 24th September from the AGA is sent to all Branch secretaries, saying as follows:-
“Having due regard for the strenuous time we are experiencing, and likely to experience for some time to come, my Executive strongly urges that special facilities be afforded for training men who have offered themselves for service, and have been rejected in consequence of their physical development not being up to the required standard. I am further requested to point out to you the advisability of making special mention, in any notice you may contemplate circulating to your clubs, that the gymnasium is one of the very best places to obtain physical fitness”.
Bromley Gym Club writes, “All our men and their instructor joined up, our boys and girls filling places in town or going to work on Munitions, other members joining the special constabulary. The club itself was kept going by our Ladies section which gave displays for Club Funds and for the Prisoners of War Fund”
So many men are killed in WWI including Frank Bellamy seen here, back right, with his team. Photo courtesy of the Bellamy family.
German gymnasts living in Britian. With the outbreak of war, there was a huge anti-German reaction by ordinary people with the destruction of German shops etc around the country. The German Gymnasium in London closed its doors, never to open again as a gymnasium. German men living in the country were rounded up and sent to internment camps, the biggest being the Knockaloe Camp in the Isle of Man. There, sport was encouraged and gymnasts were once more allowed to practise their sport.
1915
It is unanimously agreed by the AGA that there would be no attempt to run the usual competition programme during the war crisis. The AGM of the AGA is held at 80 Gracechurch Street London; London is always the place for AGA meetings. The balance presented to the meeting is £2 4 shillings and 5 pence. A report to the AGM concludes with the following paragraph:-
‘The large number of active members of affiliated clubs of all our Branches having joined His Majesty’s Forces it has been quite impracticable to carry on gymnastic work as energetically as one had hoped for, the high percentage, in many instances 90 percent of the members of individual clubs having responded to their Country’s call.‘
1920
Antwerp Olympics. British Men’s Team competed.
Photo shows – GB 1920 Antwerp Squad of 24 performing a group exercise with coach JJ Cook at front.
1921
The 11th Congress of the European Gymnastics Federation is held in Brussels. The Americans ask to join the only international body for gymnastics. The name of the Federation is changed to the International Gymnastics Federation, the FIG.
On the 21st May, a demonstration of gymnastics is given at the Queen’s Club West Kensington. Nearly 1000 gymnasts take part. HRH The Duke of York, patron of the AGA is in attendance.
Above – The Duke of York from 1920-21 AGA year book
1923
London and Metropolitan Counties AGA publish The Gymnast magazine. After 4 issues the AGA takes it on.
THE FIRST NATIONAL COMPETITION FOR WOMEN’S TEAMS
The proposed programme for the first Women’s Team Championships is as follows.
1. Indian Clubs. 2. Callisthenics with or without hand apparatus 3. Skipping, however, this was later withdrawn. The time duration is to be, between 2 – 21/2 minutes for Indian Clubs and between 4 ½ and 5 ½ minutes for callisthenics. Male judges are asked to officiate.
The 1st Women’s Team Championships are held at the Northampton Polytechnic Institute Clerkenwell London. The Marchioness of Bute presents her trophy to the winners, the Northampton Polytechnic Institute. Bradford Gymnastics Club is 2nd and Catford Gym Club 3rd. Lady Bute makes a speech on this occasion concluding, ‘Go on train yourselves to be healthy and happy, and so make others happy. Keep before you high ideals and remember that it is a woman’s privilege to make others happy’
Above – The NPI with the Duchess of Bute trophy and their trainer Rudolf Oberholzer. Left to right, Kit Bickley, Ethel Seymour, Alma Barnard, Marjorie Allen, Lucy Desmond. front Anne Brian Rudolf Oberholzer, Cissie Lindsill winning the first Women’s British Team Championships in 1923
1924
1924 Olympics Paris – British Men’s Team competed.The British Men’s Team competed coming 6th.out of 8 teams. The individual British gymnasts are way down in the results table.
1924 Men’s team left JJ Cook coach extreme right Charles West Leigh brothers Ernest & Stanley centre front.
First British Championships held for Women in Swindon.
A suggestion is made that lady judges officiate at the forthcoming English Women’s Individual Championships. Executive representatives from the Birmingham & District AG and the Yorkshire AGA do not approve so 3 male judges are appointed for the task.
A trophy is donated by the Honorary Secretary’s wife. The Mrs. Charles West trophy is still awarded each year to the women’s British champion. Dorothy Billson of Bradford wins. The women compete in set and voluntary exercise on parallel bars, swinging rings, vault with pommels plus Indian club swinging. 10 marks are awarded for parallel bars, rings, and clubs, and 3 for vault. The parallel bars and ring exercise to be no more than 1 minute and Indian clubs are between 2 – 2 ½ minutes, music is optional.
Above – Dorothy Billion wins the championship with a mark of 157 ½. The AGA decides that in the future marks will be awarded using decimal places instead of fractions.
1925
At the Women’s 2nd English Championships, the gymnasts compete on Parallel Bars, Swinging Rings, Pommel Horse, and 1 ½ minutes of Free Exercise (Floor) without hand apparatus (the set exercise contained a still section).
In the men’s English Championships, the gymnasts compete on Parallel Bars, Horizontal Bar, Pommel Horse, Rings, and Long Horse Vault. Ten is awarded for each apparatus except for the vault, which is given a mark of 3 by each judge. In addition, one mark is awarded for approaching the apparatus and the same for retiring from the apparatus. There is a time limit for each apparatus, no more than 2 minutes per exercise, except pommels, a maximum of 1 minute.
Above – 1925 British Champion H.J. Finchett from Birmingham YMCA
1928
The Olympics are held in Amsterdam
Women compete in gymnastics for the first time. GB Ladies Team (12 gymnasts) – BRONZE (team event only for women). They subsequently receive bad press for ‘baring too much of their legs’, albeit wearing tights
Above – 1928 GB Olympic Women’s Gymnastics Team in the headline-grabbing outfits – photo BG ARCHIVE
Above – 1928 GB Olympic Men’s Gymnastics Team, comprising gymnasts – E. Warren, H.J. Fischett, Gilbert Charles Raynes, W. Cronin, E. Walton, T.B. Parkinson, A.J. Whitford and S. Humphreys.
It’s decided that all men competing in the Individual Championships must use the steel bar provided. There will be no wooden bar from now on. The 1912 entry on this was just a recommendation.
Arthur Whitford of Swansea YMCA & Sketty wins his first national title, to be the first of 10.
Above – Gymnast magazine of the time shows a great variety of adverts for gymnastics apparatus. T M Gardiner has been making apparatus since 1876.
1930
The question of women’s dress is spoken of again. Women must wear knickers to cover the top of their stockings with a long-sleeved loose sweater to cover their seat when standing or a long-sleeved blouse with a short tunic and knickers to cover the top of their stockings. Tights without knickers are not permitted.
Above – The NPI ladies with their new look. Lucy Desmond was to later write on the back of the photo – ‘Our first shorts. Very daring in them those days’.
1931
At the ladies’ team championships, Mrs Metson of London is one of the judges; she is the first lady to judge a national championships.
1932
In January, it was confirmed that there would be no competition for women at the Los Angeles Olympics. There will be exhibition work for women of 16 plus members. It would not be possible for the UK to take part in this due to the cost.
At the AGM, the executive members are usually voted in en bloc. Mr Billson, husband to Dorothy Billson, the first lady champion, nominated MIss JM Shaw for the executive. Voting took place, but there was no change in the usual members: men only.
1933
During May a national team competes against Holland and Belgium in Rotterdam. The team is composed of Stanley Humphreys, T Parkinson, W Walsh,, and George Whitaker, all from England, plus Arthur Whitford and Harold Davies from Wales. The result is Holland 603.75, Belgium 572.50, England 538.5. (It seems as though Great Britain was always known as England).
Stanley Humphries writes,
“The hall where we competed held about 4,000 persons. It was the longest competition I was ever in, starting at 7.30 pm, and I remember it was about 1 am before I got dressed, after keeping up the prestige of old England by showing what good losers we were”
The Adams Shield is repaired and renovated with the addition of bands on the front to accommodate future years’ engraving.
Above – The new Adams Shield as featured in the Gymnast Magazine
1934
The affiliation payment to the International Gymnastics Federation is raised from 100 francs to 2000 francs. Consequently, the FIG 100-year celebration book, published in 1988, records that Great Britain did not join the FIG until 1936.
1935
The English Championships are held at the Ardwick Lads’ and Men’s Club in Manchester. Bovril is supplied to all competitors in what is likely the first sponsorship of a gymnastics event.
Above – Poster for the 1935 British Gymnastics Championships with sponsorship of Brovril.
A report is given on the men’s Summer training course at Sutton Coldfield. The primary object was to start men’s training for a team to go to Berlin for the 1936 Olympic Games. The two-week course was mapped out by Walter Standish of Swansea, the Olympic coach and assisted by Alfred Bradley, English champion 1901 – 1903. The playing field and the gymnasium of the Bishop Vesey Grammar School made an ideal spot for a training course. The British men train for 2 weeks at the Bishop Vesey Grammar School in Sutton Coldfield in preparation for the 1936 Olympics.
Above – The British hopefuls trained at Sutton Coldfield. Alfred Bradley and Walter Standish flank Mr Widdowson (centre with moustache). In the end, they do not travel.
1936
Team GB compete at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Read full report on the 1936 Olympics. Last Olympics before outbreak of World War II.
Photo shows Edna Earl competing on the Uneven Bars.
The Gymnast magazine ceases.
1948
1948 Olympic Games in London – 2 teams represent GB. Much of their training is done in poor conditions including in Hyde Park. German POW Helmut Bantz helps the men’s team with their training. Read the full Olympic report here.
1950
First residential gymnastic course Bisham Abbey which continued for 15 years.
Photo shows Bisham Abbey course circa 1957
1952
British team train at Bisham Abbey prior to 1952 Olympics Helsinki.
1953
A Welsh team attend the 1st ever Gymnaestrada in Rotterdam.
GB V Germany at Harringay Arena North London (the event was a financial disaster).
1955
Frank Edmonds becomes honorary secretary of the AGA from his home in London.
Frank Edmonds, President of British Gymnastics with Max Bangerter, Secretary General of the FIG.
1957
Evidence of coaching examinations taking place, in this case for Intermediate Diploma in Coaching awarded by the Amateur Gymnastics Association.
A Welsh team takes part in the Gymnaestrada in Zagreb.
1958
Championships of North West Europe held at Nottingham Ice Rink (the event is another financial disaster).
1959
The Gymnast magazine is re-introduced. The editor is Jim Prestidge.
1960
Two full teams selected for the Olympics in Rome. At the last minute, funding is withdrawn for the 2 coaches, Frank Turner and Edna Gross. They pay their own way.
British 1960 Men’s & Women’s Olympic teams on their way.
First schoolboys course held at Swaylands Kent.
London, Manchester & Liverpool YMCAs and The London Gym Club ( a total of 65 male gymnasts) perform before the FA Cup at Wembley performing on High bar, 2 vaulting tables and floor work with hand balancing. Date 23rd April.
1961
1st British Championships held at a major venue, The Royal Albert Hall. The event is over subscribed with an audience of 6,000 plus standing room. This event continued until 1971, before changing to the Champions Cup which continued in the Albert Hall until 1974 by which time the venue had really become unsuitable for such an event.
British Championships for Men’s trampoline took place at the Albert Hall along with MA & WA.
Proficiency Award Scheme set up. 1,000 gymnasts participate but only 60 schools participate.
First time GB has entered the European Championships women, held in Leipzig East Germany.
GB is represented at the Gymnaestrada in Stuttgart by a Welsh team, Fulwell School (Monica Rutherford’s school), Bexley Girls Gym Club and Openshaw Technical School Manchester.
1962
700 people subscribe to The Gymnast magazine.
Women trampolinists take part in British Championships at the Albert Hall.
1963
The Amateur Gymnastics Association which was seen as the governing body for the UK becomes the British Amateur Gymnastics Association.
Regional boundaries are re-drawn inline with the Central Council for Physical Recreation.
1964
Nik Stuart retires from competitive gymnastics and becomes the first paid National Coach for the BAGA.
Photo shows from far right Nik Stuart, Jack Pancott, Bill King, Ken Buffin, Dick Gradley.
Jim Prestidge becomes the first paid general secretary for the BAGA. Head office Park Crescent Central, London.
Jim Prestidge & Len Gross at the 1973 European Championships
1965
400 gymnasts from all parts of the country take part at the Vienna Gymnaestrada.
The Perfectionists Visit by Soviet Gymnasts takes place at the Crystal Palace. BBC film the event.
1966
Men & Women take part in their first ever World Championships in Dortmund. Both teams travel by mini bus and stay in unofficial accommodation as the official 4 star hotel is too expensive.
British Men’s Team – Dortmund 1966. L-R. Dick Gradley, Jack Pancott, Stan Wild, Bobby Williams, Mike Booth, Brian Hayhurst, Bob Trenholm, Bob MacLeod. Possibly Nik Stuart bending over.
The first British Women’s team to compete in a World Championships pose in their uniforms before leaving for Dortmund. Left to right Pauline Prestidge (coach), Mary Prestidge, Ann Simmons, Diane Lodge, Rita Francis, Maria Gough, Margaret Bell.
1969
A large British team takes part at the Basle Gymnaestrada.
Gymnaestrada Basle 1969
English Schools team at the Gymnaestrada Basle
The first Champions All event is held at Fairfield Hall Croydon.
The first National Judges Women’s Artistic gymnastic course is held, course and examination for Area and National; judges.
Gymnastics for Youth, a national boys course takes place at Luton Youth Centre bringing together leading men’s coaches as well as gymnasts.
1970
First National Conference takes place involving Board of Control members, regional secretaries and members of the technical committees.
Girls 3 year Plan has to be divided into North and South to cope with the demand. Record entry of 300 gymnasts.
Reports of club membership averages between 30 – 100 members.
BAGA membership fees amount to £677,16 and affiliation fees £12,500.
Men’s Artistic Judging course and examination held.
1971
The Sunday Award Awards Scheme is set up. £25,000 sponsorship deal with BAGA from the Sunday Times. A badge scheme programmed to introduce young children to the sport of gymnastics floor and vault. 6 months later the 100.00 award is given.
Annual coaching course in WA, 11 club coaches and 5 assistant coaches receive their awards.
WA gymnastics have a total of 70 assistant coaches, 200 club and 4 senior coaches. Also 6 honorary coaches. The level of Area coach is to be introduced
Fees for the BAGA. Life membership £22.50 Annual membership £2.50 Junior £1.25 & 50 p school member.
The Sunday Times sponsor Champions All at the Crystal Palace. Highlights were shown on BBC Grandstand the following week.
Champions All 1971 programme
A national syllabus is set for coaching, men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics. Prior to this although exams took place, the syllabus seemed very haphazard.
1972
Champions All Event is held at Fairfield Halls. Because of the constraints of the venue vault was omitted from men’s and women’s programmes.
The British Championships Men & Women is held at Darlington. Room for 300 spectators only. The event at the Albert Hall is now the Champions Cup.
A record entry of 470 girls take part in the 3 Year programme of set exercises introduced by the Women’s Technical Committee in 1969.
1973
The 9th European Championships for Women are held at the Empire Pool Wembley. It’s a sell out.
3 National Coaches appointed. John Atkinson, Mick Haynes and Margaret Tipping.
Photo shows John Atkinson with Jeff Davis and Mitch Fenner
Tony Murudock is appointed to the new post of Director of Development.
Russian displays held at the Empire Pool.
300 girl gymnasts attend a residential schoolgirls’ course at the Sobell Centre Islington London. Gymnasts were accommodated at Goldsmith College South London. 6 sets of apparatus were set up in the venue.
The Boys 5 Year Plan is introduced.
1974
The first course held for Gymnastique Moderne in the UK (Rhythmic gymnastics ) 90 gymnasts attend along with 25 interested coaches.
1975
1st World Cup event held at Wembley Empire Pool. This is the famous event where the Asymmetric bars collapsed as Ludmilla Tourischeva finished her exercise.
The Bars famously collapse at the end of Tourischeva’s bar routine
1975 Ludmilla Tourischeva and Nikolai Andrianov win first World Cup held in London
1st assistant National Coaches Conference for men held at Lilleshall.
Carl Dodd & Susan Cheesebrough are first ever Russian Scholarship winners
1977
First Coca Cola International held at Brighton in December.
1st Coca Cola Champs Brighton 1977
The first pits appear in UK clubs.
Annette Stapleton becomes Women’s Director of National Training.
Leeds Athletic Institute win Adam Shield (British Team Championship) with disabled team member Jim Brogan.
Jim Brogan member of Leeds Adam Shield winners 1977
1978
Over 2 million Sunday Times Award scheme badges issued. Including growth in the number of disabled children taking part.
2,000,000 Sunday Times Gymnastics Award Scheme badges
Entries to the Girls NDP competitions has grown 6 fold which would mean 1,800 gymnasts.
BAGA membership has grown 6 fold.
Number of gymnasts in the London area has been estimated to have risen from 1500 in 1967 to 8000.
Administration of Women’s coaching awards are centralized at Lilleshall following a national workshop for coaching examiners. In a year the number of coaches double. A list of recognized examiners set up. (Prior to this coach examination could be done at a national course or done within the regions but by asking another coach of a higher level to examine the candidates)
Lilleshall National Sports Centre
1980
Obligatory individual gymnast membership introduced. All affiliated clubs had to register all individual members. Made a huge change to the finances of the BAGA. A national insurance scheme was introduced (approx. year 1980).
Pre 1900 | 1900 to 1981 | 1981 to present
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