Maria chairs the British Gymnastics’ Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Technical Committee and actively supports London Gymnastics. For over 50 years, she has been pivotal in advancing gymnastics for women, serving in various roles from coaching to judging. Maria received an MBE for her contributions to gymnastics earlier this year.
You studied Physical Education at University. How did this shape your approach and philosophy toward gymnastics?
My upbringing in a Northern working-class family shaped muchof my early life and since the age of seven, I have had a passion for gymnastics. I was the first in my family to attend college, and balancing gymnastics with my studies was challenging but the experience was invaluable. Although I wasn’t naturally academic, the University saw potential and admitted me despite minimal qualifications. Studying Physical Education enriched my understanding of gymnastics and, more importantly, teaching. St Mary’s was one of the first national training centres so a lot of the national gymnastics team in the mid 1970s trained there. My time at St Mary’s was foundational, and the knowledge I gained informed my career in coaching, judging, and chairing the National Women’s Technical Committee.
You started in gymnastics in the 1950s, how has the sport evolved since then?
Over the decades, gymnastics has seen a remarkable transformation, offering a much broader range of opportunities. During my competitive years, parents generally provided funding. My working-class parents spent their money on my training, travelling, and international representation. When I represented Great Britain, I had to pay for my own travel expenses. The introduction of National Lottery Funding has really helped and provides significant support to top-tier gymnasts. Facilities have been upgraded too. In my hometown, there wasn’t a dedicated gymnastics club, but now clubs can access grants for state-of-the-art resources. Simone Biles recently became the first female gymnast to do a double back somersault on vault. Nowadays we have sprung floors and springy boards, but when I was first competing, it was hard floors and coconut mats! Scientific research in universities, particularly biomechanics, physiology, and training methodologies, has also propelled the sport to new heights.
You’ve been instrumental in shaping careers, including some gymnasts who have represented Great Britain at the Olympics. What is the most important quality a coach can instill in their students?
A coach plays a pivotal role in shaping an athlete’s journey and approaches have changed over the years. Previously there was a ‘pass and fail’ approach, but the current philosophy emphasises that each child deserves to feel safe, have fun, and reach their unique potential, irrespective of their level. I’m chair of the National Women’s Technical Committee, and we’re currently undergoing our most significant review in two decades, to embed the importance of adopting an educational approach. Many coaches instruct based on how they were coached, so it’s vital to bring in this change. I believe that by aligning coaching more closely with education, we can ensure the more holistic development of our gymnasts.
Congratulations on being awarded an MBE for your remarkable contributions to gymnastics.
Receiving the MBE was a complete surprise! The outpouring of goodwill and well wishes that followed was overwhelming: former students, college friends from St Mary’s, and members of the gymnastics community reached out, some of whom I hadn’t been in touch with for years. It’s not just my accolade; it represents the collective effort of everyone I’ve worked with in both sports and education.