Gymnastics Ireland launched its new Strategic Plan last night, covering the period 2025-2028, and outlining a clear and ambitious roadmap through the Los Angeles Olympic cycle.

Strategy 2025–2028 focuses on five key areas that reflect the full scope of the organisation’s work across the sport: Clubs, Community and Participation; Events; Performance and Technical; Commercial, Marketing and Communication; and Culture, Governance and Policy.

There is a neat narrative outlining where the sport is now and where it aims to be in the next four years. That is continuing to facilitate safe, healthy and enjoyable participation; Expanding the club presence in communities nationwide as part of the fabric of modern Ireland; Enabling members to develop to be the best that they can be constantly; Continuing to provide and expand inclusive programmes
and events; Entertaining the nation at home and away through the performances of the stars of the sport; Expanding our voice and influence in both national and international sport discussions.

In the recently published Onside Sports Impact Monitor, compiled in partnership with Sport for Business, Gymnastics scored the largest increase, up 22%, in terms of the net improvement in perception of the sport from a commercial sponsorship perspective.

That is an excellent start for the Commercial, Marketing, and Communication strand of the strategy, which seeks, among other things, to enhance the approach to developing commercial partnerships and linking in to philanthropy, as well as business, to drive new investment opportunities.

The new strategy builds on a foundation of significant progress achieved over the last four years. The 2021–2024 strategic cycle saw Gymnastics Ireland not only recover from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic but also experience a period of unprecedented growth and development. During that time, membership numbers reached record highs, firmly establishing gymnastics as one of Ireland’s largest sports in terms of both club and individual participation. Public investment in the sport increased dramatically, supporting a major expansion in programmes, events, and support structures.

The organisation also took a leading role in promoting equality in sport. It became the first national governing body in Ireland to undertake a full equality review in partnership with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The Commission praised Gymnastics Ireland as a benchmark for other sporting bodies and cultural institutions, recognising its efforts to advance inclusion and representation at all levels of the sport.

Inclusive participation was further strengthened with the continued development of programmes like GymSTART and GymABLE, alongside the introduction of new initiatives such as JumpSTART and Gym4TEENS. These pathways helped ensure that gymnastics in Ireland remained accessible and welcoming to a wide range of participants, from beginners and recreational gymnasts to those with additional needs.

On the performance side, Gymnastics Ireland built a world-class events programme that spanned the entire athlete development journey, from local participation festivals to elite competitions. Notably, the organisation hosted its first podium-level international event, setting the stage for regular high-level competition at home. Investment in coaching and athlete support also grew, with an expanded national coaching team and enhanced holistic supports introduced across the national squad system. These developments helped nurture a new generation of talent and underpinned the success of Ireland’s high-performance athletes.

That success was highlighted on the world stage by Rhys McClenaghan, who delivered an historic medal run during the Paris cycle, becoming a triple European Champion, double World Champion, and ultimately, Olympic Champion at Paris 2024.

Speaking at the launch, Gymnastics Ireland Chair Shane O’Connor said the new strategy was a chance to build on this momentum. “The Board and I are genuinely excited about building on the huge progress delivered in the last Olympic cycle,” he said. “We would like to thank all who have input into the development of our new strategy from clubs and members through to our staff, Board and committees, in addition to our external partners. Through Strategy 2025–2028, we will continue to be ambitious in everything we do from participation through to performance in seeking to provide our clubs and members the best possible experience of our sport.”

Chief Executive Ciaran Gallagher described the strategy as a continuation of a clearly defined journey. “Strategy 2025–2028 represents an evolution, building on the success of our previous strategy in which we set a clear direction across key areas of focus. With the benefit of review of the Paris cycle completed, the new strategy will keep the momentum building towards LA along with the five refocused key areas. This strategy covers the breadth and depth of our sport, from the one-hour-a-week recreational gymnast through to those seeking to step out for Ireland on the international stage, plus the support teams that make things happen at both club and national level. We have a clear direction mapped out – let’s get to it.”

As gymnastics in Ireland enters the next Olympic cycle, Strategy 2025–2028 positions the sport to continue thriving across participation, performance, and policy.

When you get a generational talent like Rhys McClenaghan you have to be ready to take advantage. This is proof that Gymnastics is in that space.

 

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