Children at gymnastic and sports clubs around the country aspire every day to do well in local, county, national and international competitions. The competition is tough and standards are high.

The Whyte report on British gymnastics in 2022 revealed some gymnastics coaches had pushed children too far, encouraging them to eat less and train whilst injured. They’d also engaged in body-shaming, controlling behaviours and swearing at children. Whilst a level of encouragement from coaches is to be expected there is a line to be drawn.

The campaign group, Gymnasts for Change said there is a “complete crisis of confidence” among its members, as it emerged that British Gymanastics had failed to ban a single coach over the past 18 months. Criticising the speed and breadth of the civil lawsuits filed in the wake of the Whyte review.

If you think your treatment or that of your child went too far and has caused psychological of physical harm a civil compensation claim could be an option.

Some coaches and club staff have definitely overstepped the mark and have been accused of:

• Sexual touching or inappropriate words or behaviour
• Physical assaults or excessive training regimes
• Verbal abuse such as weight shaming, shaming language, denial of food or water
• Controlling behaviour
• Being forced to train whilst injured

These types of treatment can lead to psychological harm such as anxiety and depression, anorexia, and self-harming behaviour. These states of mind can persist and affect other areas of the young person’s life such as education, relationships and even their ability to work.

If you or your child want to talk through their adverse experiences with a lawyer confidentially, please contact us on 01924 882000 or email david.greenwood@switalskis.com

David and his team are good listeners and are highly experienced in pursuing these cases.