Sport news and discussion on TalkFuse.
‘A smack in the teeth’ – warned coach to work at international youth event
Clare Hague, a coach who received a two-year formal warning after British Gymnastics upheld some concerns about her coaching and her club, is coaching at an international youth competition in Greece. Complainants say her selection undermines the decision to speak up; the case raises questions about how safeguarding findings affect coaches’ roles at events.
The concerns considered included fear-based coaching, emotional harm and restrictive practices. British Gymnastics also set monitoring and development measures, but did not tell complainants which specific concerns were upheld. Dronfield Gymnastics Academy said it co-operated fully and had worked with the governing body on improvements; Hague did not respond directly to a request for comment. The Horizon Cup is for junior and pre-junior gymnasts aged 11 to 16.
In short
- Coach with a two-year warning is at a youth event in Greece.
- British Gymnastics upheld some concerns and ordered monitoring.
- Complainants say the appointment discourages speaking up.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Selecting Hague may be defensible if the formal warning and the measures imposed by British Gymnastics are considered sufficient, and organisers judge that she can coach safely while meeting those requirements. Her club says it co-operated and made improvements, and allowing a coach to continue working after a disciplinary process may be fair where restrictions or monitoring are in place.
The case against
Giving Hague a coaching role at an international event for young gymnasts may weaken confidence that safeguarding findings have meaningful consequences, particularly when complainants were not told which concerns were upheld. Those who raised concerns may feel that speaking up has not led to adequate protection or accountability, and the selection could warrant clearer explanation of how risks and monitoring were assessed.