Focusing on some of the women behind the scenes we spoke to “gym-mom” Michelle about why she chose gymnastics for her children, how she’s juggles a full time job and family life, and who has inspired her along the way…..
I work full time in an actual job while also being a full time chauffeur to the girls who are 12, 10, 7 and 5. I love being outdoors, being in the water, or on it on my paddleboard. I also coach football and play soccer and Gaelic Football for my local clubs. I played loads of sports growing up but in the 80’s and 90’s in Ireland the options available to girls to continue in sport did not compare to what is available now.
I think gymnastics is such a fantastic sport to provide a solid basis to girls or boys that will stand to them in any sport they do. As well as physically providing benefits in terms of strength, flexibility and agility. It also teaches patience and encourages work ethic and self-discipline. I wanted to send the girls to gymnastics for these reasons initially. The love they have found for the sport subsequently has meant all four now continue to attend. Also, for my own selfish reasons I absolutely love watching gymnastics so this has given me an excuse to follow it.
The struggle to juggle is real!. All four girls play camogie, soccer, rugby & Gaelic football. They all also swim and do gymnastics, the youngest two do athletics. It involves coordination with my
husband and some help from the extended family and friends for lifts etc.
However, I am acutely aware as a female of the fall off in women in sport and particularly of girls in sport as they approach the teenage years and beyond. Sport is so important not just for health and fitness but also for mental health and wellbeing, for positive social interactions and for all the
friendships it brings. I hope that by facilitating the girls to be active and involved in many sports they will retain a love for sport as they get older. There are so many pressures on young people today, it’s vital that they have a positive space where they can unwind in a healthy way.
My Mom Cathy is the woman who has foremost inspired me. Unfortunately, my Dad passed away
when I was 7 years old and she was left with me and my brother and sister. She is amazingly resilient and continuously strived to ensure that my siblings and I got to participate in everything our peers did. She has been a super cheer leader for us in life and remains a huge support and friend.
In terms of Sports Women, it’s very difficult in gymnastics not to look past Simone Biles, her
achievements personally and as a sportswoman are phenomenal. More locally though I have spent 8 years coming in and out of RGC and think the work, patience, strength, commitment and dedication of young women like Emma, Bláthnaid, Kate and Jane is inspirational and they are shining a light for the girls coming after them in terms of all that they can achieve in sport.
I know too that behind the scenes are numerous supportive women who are coaching and running the clubs are athletes are training in.
There are so many fabulous athletes in Ireland at present like Beibhinn Parsons in Rugby who has
played across two codes, Vicky Wall from Meath who has reached the top level as a Gaelic
Footballer, has played AFL in Australia and who is currently representing Ireland in Rugby in the 7’s Series. Mona McSharry in swimming and her amazing achievements recently. Rhasidat Adeleke, Sharlene Mawdsley, Ciara McGeehan and Sarah Healy in track.
In addition to all these my girls also have huge admiration for Ailsa Hughes and Hannah O’Connor, Irish International rugby players as they have been so encouraging of the local girls in our rugby club and have given their time so generously.
They are all blazing a trail at present and showing that Ireland can compete internationally which is something to be immensely proud of.