Gymnastics Ireland announced the winners for the 2022 Marsh Gymnastics Ireland National Awards which will be held on Saturday 10th December in the Raddisson Blu Hotel, Dublin, and we are so delighted and proud our club coach Karen Friel who won ‘GymAble Coach of the year 22′. Karen delivers our weekly GymAble programme for children with a disability supported by Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership. Congratulations Karen, and we look forward to Awards Night.

Commenting on the announcement Gymnastics Ireland CEO, Ciaran Gallagher, said:

’2022 saw our sport bounce back into action following the very difficult 2 years impacted by the pandemic. One thing we learned from this difficult period is just how much we value our sport and how truly great our gymnastics community is! Our clubs again reopened as part of the beating heart of their local communities rolling out our full suite of programmes from GymSTART through to GymABLE, The Floor and the National Series. We reengaged in our innovation projects including new research in the areas of women in sport and teenage retention in sport, this research will frame some very exciting new developments that will launch in 2023 so watch this space! The GI Performance programme got back into full swing and what a year it has been! Commonwealth Games and World Cup finalists/medallists, then topped off by Rhys McClenaghan becoming our first gymnastics World Champion, one of only 3 World Champions in Irish sport this year! We have a great organisation and community of members – I can’t wait to celebrate all their great achievements at the National Awards on Saturday 10th December! I would also like to again express my sincere thanks to Ciaran Whelan, Barbara McCluskey & Marsh who again return as our headline sponsor for the awards, their investment in the recognition of the great work of our clubs & members is very much appreciated. Finally, congratulations to all the award winners – roll on the 10th December!’