The owner and head coach of a Perth gymnastics club was left shocked – and delighted – after a special win at a high-profile awards ceremony this month.
Lisa Bott, of ACE Gymnastics, took home the Spirit of Gymnastics honour at the 2022 Scottish Gymnastics Awards.
A first ever recipient of the award, Lisa was noted as someone who “works tirelessly to make everything fun” and “encourages members to be kind, caring, and supportive.”
Scottish Gymnastics added that she has created a “supportive, thriving community, run closely with families who share in gymnasts’ successes and achievements.”
Over the moon Lisa admitted hearing her name at the Edinburgh ceremony was a big surprise.
“I can’t believe it yet and it hasn’t sunk in that this has happened,” she explained to the PA.
“The whole team went through and that was really nice. I was a bit of a nervous wreck and when it was announced I couldn’t believe it.
“I got a massive cheer and there was a really nice write-up in the programme. It was really lovely.
“We met loads of nice people from different clubs and also had a good chat with the CEO of Scottish Gymnastics.”
Lisa made sure to dedicate her award to Perth’s Lily Douglas, who sadly passed away at the beginning of the year.
“Lily was a gymnast at our club from day one,” Lisa said.
“She was with me from the very beginning and trained throughout her illness.
“She still came in and did as much as she could.
“I said to her mum during the week that I was going to dedicate the award to Lily. I am glad I got to do that.
“There were a lot of tears and people were quite emotional. It was lovely.
“I started this whole thing with six children – and Lily was one of them.
“If it wasn’t for those six children, ACE might not even be a thing right now.”
ACE Gymnastics is based at Breadalbane Terrace and has continued to go from strength to strength.
Since winning the award, Lisa has been inundated with messages of congratulations.
She added: “We are such a new club and a small club.
“There are well-established clubs all over the country so I would never expect to be included in anything like this.
“I feel we must be doing something right to be such a new club but getting to awards events like this.
“Everyone has been so supportive and happy for me. They have all been congratulating me in the gym.”
Members of ACE Gymnastics have been busy in recent weeks and impressed in a competition at Bell’s Sports Centre.
“Three weeks ago we had a big competition at Bell’s Sports Centre and it was really successful for us,” Lisa revealed.
“It was a Scottish Gymnastics competition and we had 20 gymnasts involved, coming away with 25 medals.
“It was incredible and just a hugely successful day. It is another one we can’t actually believe happened.
“We now have one more competition, Gymfest in Edinburgh, which is this Sunday.
“Then it quietens down after that. It has been so busy with competitions and the awards.”
