Gymnastics Australia appoints new Chief Executive in lead up to Delhi and London

The Board of Gymnastics Australia has announced that Catherine Clark has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive, and will lead the sport on its journey to the 2010 Commonwealth Games and 2012 London Olympics.

Clark joins Gymnastics Australia at a time when the sport is flourishing in Australia. Last year Australia won two World Cup gold medals and secured its best ever medal haul at a World Championships, winning two silver and a bronze.

At the participation level gymnastics in Australia is just as healthy, boasting more than 122,911 registered athletes.

Clark brings a wealth of experience in the sport, health and education sectors having held senior government roles in all three areas. The former Chief Executive of GymSports New Zealand (previously known as New Zealand Gymnastics), Clark is currently acting Chief Executive of Gymnastics Queensland.

As Ken Williamson, President of Gymnastics Australia explains "Catherine will bring valuable sport experience and with her background in health and education will enable gymnastics to achieve its vision in these areas. We are very fortunate to have her joining the team."

Clark said she was looking forward to working closely with clubs and the state associations to increase access to programs and high performance pathways, stating "I am immensely proud to be joining Gymnastics Australia.

"We have a truly unique sport which contributes at every level of the sport and recreation spectrum.

"I will draw on my range of experience to work with our state and territory bodies and clubs to increase access to gymnastics programs and strengthen pathways for international success.

"We want every Australian involved in gymnastics and every gymnast to have the very best chance to succeed on the world stage."

Clark replaces former Chief Executive Jane Allen who stepped down in February to take up her new role with British Gymnastics. Allen's resignation closed the book on an era which spanned 23 years at Gymnastics Australia - 12 of which were at the helm of the sport.

Clark will officially commence her new position on 7th June 2010 but attended last week's Australian Sport: The Pathway to Success forum on behalf of Gymnastics Australia.

The selection trials for the Commonwealth Games team will be held in conjunction with the 2010 Australian Championships:

Women's Gymnastics - 4th to 11th July 2010, Challenge Stadium, Perth
Rhythmic Gymnastics - 5th to 11th July 2010, Loftus Centre, Perth
Men's Gymnastics - 12th to 17th July 2010, AIS, Canberra.