A GYMNASTICS volunteer from Redcar has been singled out for national recognition for her infectious enthusiasm and support of her club for over 35 years.

Marie McLeod, 76, is a former coach and judge at Redcar Gymnastics Club and has been shortlisted in the Volunteer of the Year category ahead of the British Gymnastics Awards.

McLeod, who moved from Glasgow to Redcar 49 years ago, began volunteering because her daughter was a gymnast at the club.

And the former coach was thrilled to be nominated ahead of the national ceremony, stating the reason behind her love for volunteering as the moment she sees a gymnast reap the rewards of the sport.

"I'm really grateful to be nominated and I was super surprised," she said. "I took my daughter to gymnastics in about 1982 and I just used to just leave her there, but then I decided to start helping out. So, I was on the fundraising committee and in 1987 I took my coaching exam and 2007 my judging exam and I've been getting stuck into gymnastics the whole time.

"I just love the sport. It's so good for kids to get into a sport and I get so much pleasure out of seeing them enjoying gymnastics and making friends for life - it gives them confidence. My daughter is now 45 and she was only five when she started and she's still in touch with some of her friends from gymnastics.

"Seeing the pleasure that the kids get out of it as they support each other is what makes me want to carry on volunteering."

The British Gymnastics Awards are community led and about championing those who make the sport an uplifting experience for all, with more nominations than ever coming in this year.

The nominations have been judged by panels made up of British Gymnastics committee members and external panellists from across UK Sport, Gymnova, Milano, Gymaid, Youth Sport Trust, Sport England, Women in Sport, The Include Summit, Sport and Recreation Alliance, The Sport for Development Coalition and GB gymnasts.

With McLeod at the helm, Redcar Gymnastics have seen a raft of success, with gymnasts going to national and international competitions.

And although the Volunteer of the Year nominee may have taken steps back in her coaching position over the past few years, her impact within the sport is just as great.

"I've enjoyed every part of my time volunteering at the club," she said. "I get on with all the coaches both in the gym and at competitions and it's a pleasure to do.

"I still help out but now that I'm getting a bit older I support in different ways, so I help with the conditioning sets and fundraising too."

* The British Gymnastics Awards celebrate those at the heart of gymnastics who create an uplifting experience for all. British Gymnastics has launched a new vision for a new era of gymnastics, learn more about Leap Without Limits here - https://www.british-gymnastics.org/vision