A gymnastics coach who received a formal warning from British Gymnastics following an investigation into fear-based coaching and controlling practices is coaching at an international youth competition this weekend, BBC Sport has learned. Clare Hague, head coach at Dronfield Gymnastics Academy near Sheffield, has travelled with English Gymnastics to coach at the Horizon Cup in Greece. Complainants from two separate investigations into Hague and her club have told the BBC the decision is a "smack in the teeth" and "adds salt in the wound" for those who have had the courage to speak up about their concerns.
Documents seen by the BBC list fear-based coaching and emotional harm, controlling and restrictive practices, punitive attendance policies and psychological impact on children as some of the concerns considered in a recently concluded investigation. The outcome letter, also seen by BBC Sport, states that British Gymnastics upheld a number of the concerns raised, issuing Hague and Dronfield Gymnastics Academy with a formal warning lasting two years - alongside monitoring and development measures. The governing body did not share with the complainants which specific concerns had been upheld.
While Hague did not respond directly to a request for comment, Dronfield Gymnastics Academy shared a statement with the BBC stating the club co-operated "openly, fully and with complete transparency" with the investigation. Hague, who is also squad co-ordinator for Yorkshire Women's Artistic Gymnastics, was announced by English Gymnastics as a coach for the Horizon Cup while she was still under investigation. The Horizon Cup is an international artistic gymnastics competition for junior and pre-junior gymnasts aged 11-16.
English Gymnastics is an affiliated home country association under British Gymnastics and manages some regional and national programmes, including selection for Team England at the Commonwealth Games.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing