British Gymnastics has announced that The Sands Centre, Carlisle, has won the coveted accolade of Official Delivery Partner Venue of the Year in the 2026 British Gymnastics Awards.
The award singles out and champions delivery partners that demonstrate significant commitment to providing high-quality, engaging gymnastics experiences. The Sands Centre and its operators GLL, have been noted for its pledge to create uplifting opportunities for everyone, delivering Rise Gymnastics programmes to an exceptional standard.
Tim Bestford, GLL Head of Service, said: “For The Sands Centre to win at the British Gymnastics Awards for the second year running is a ringing endorsement of our national Rise Gymnastics programme and the tremendous opportunity it’s giving to our local youth community in Carlisle, Cumbria and across the UK.
“The Sands Centre team and GLL’s National Gymnastic specialists brings passion, pride and dedication to serving local people every single day – raising the bar on standards and excellence. Special thanks go to Chloe, Abbie, Tracey, Rob and Olivia, along with the wider centre team, for their outstanding work, commitment and energy.
“Winning the ‘Official Delivery Partner Venue of the Year Award’ is about our people as much as the quality of our gymnastics programme.
GLL’s charitable social enterprise values put people, community and social impact first. This award really shows those principles in action, and together with our partners at Cumberland Council, we remain committed to delivering outstanding experiences and meaningful opportunities for local residents.”
Cllr Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“This is great news for The Sands Centre and demonstrates our commitment to health and wellbeing. We want to provide inclusive leisure facilities for all ages and abilities. Well done to all those involved in achieving this award for the second consecutive year.”
Judges singled out the Sands Centre for its ‘outstanding year of growth and achievement’ as well as ‘placing inclusivity at its heart’.
Over the last year, the Rise Gymnastics programme has been delivered to over 380 children and more than 800 school children. New SEND classes were launched to support children with additional needs and the British Gymnastics Foundation’s ‘Love to Move’ programme was introduced – a seated gymnastics programme designed to improve cognitive function, physical mobility, and emotional well-being in older adults, particularly those living with dementia and Parkinson’s.
Recently, the club hosted its first Rise Gymnastics competition, providing youngsters with the opportunity to showcase their skills, build confidence and perform.
The Sands Centre is owned by Cumberland Council and managed by GLL.
