³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

Raise Your Game: What drives your success?

Tracey Skirton: Team work is the main player in the success of Welsh gymnastics. The Chief Executive of Welsh Gymnastics, Matt Newman, is very involved. He took his holiday in Australia to come and see us. Everyone is involved, from the admin staff, parents and individual coaches. A lot of them are volunteers. They've really come on board for the best interests of the gymnasts. It's a big ask, expecting people to work all day and then help out in the evenings.

I also work with a team of psychologists, nutritionists and a medical team. It's so important that they stay fit and healthy. We all work together so the gymnasts can give their best performance.

RYG: And is team work equally important amongst the gymnasts?

TS: The girls worked really well together and gelled as a team last year. They wanted a result for each other more than individually. When they're working individually they focus on their own routine, but, when they train as a team, if one improves, they all do. When I came to Wales, I made them train together twice a week so that they can push and support each other and see what everyone else is doing.

RYG: How did you get into coaching?

TS: I used to be a gymnast but I got too tall. I gave up at 14 and went into coaching, although I didn't turn professional until I was 18.

I was Assistant Coach at a club in Bath, and when the Head Coach left, I took over. I then ran a club in Wiltshire which is a top GB club, and then I was offered the position of Welsh coach.

I loved gymnastics so much it didn't matter to me whether I was taking part, or teaching or coaching it, as long as I was in the gym. I'm there 7 days a week now!

RYG: How do you cope with such a busy schedule?

TS: I've got two children so it's hard to juggle everything. Luckily my partner, Brian Davies, and I manage between us. Brian is Development Manager for golf in Wales. We met at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, so we called our daughter Sydney! We've got two gymnasts living with us and they help out too. It's a full house!

RYG: How often do the girls train?

TS: The senior team train 6 times per week, for 6 hours per day. If they're still at school then we work with the schools to make sure that they maintain their education and do the core curriculum. The younger girls train 4 or 5 days a week for 3 hours after school. Pauline Arnold is the Athlete Welfare and Education Officer. She looks after the girls' welfare and makes sure that they're not falling behind at school and aren't overloaded.

Communication is really important. A coach needs to know the gymnasts inside out, when they're having a good or bad session, and therefore whether to push them or not.

RYG: What does the future hold in store for the girls?

TS: They want to get better and want to compete internationally. I try to get them to strive for the Olympics, World Championships and European Championships. I don't want them to aim at just one event because anything could happen. They could have an injury for example.