Exclusive: USA Gymnastics Striving to Improve Male Participation

The success of the US women’s gymnastics programme is well known, ampoule but the male programme is struggling to match those achievements.

Over 75% of gymnastics participants in the USA are female and boy’s high school gymnastics was recently removed from official competition in Massachusetts.

Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, Steve Penny, President/CEO of USA Gymnastics, said that there are young males who want to take part in the sport and it is up to the governing body to provide opportunities for them.

He said: “The overriding abundance of our membership are young girls, but our goal is to look for new ways for those boys to get recognition for staying involved in the sport and, in fact, we’re putting together a plan for USA Gymnastics to provide high school opportunities for boys.”

Penny also told iSportconnect USA Gymnastics must work to retain the interest of young males as they get older.

He added: “I think that’s our greatest challenge as it relates to boy’s and men’s gymnastics – keeping those 13-18 year olds interested in the sport and to maintain the collegiate programmes that we have right now. That’s definitely a priority for us.”

To read the full interview click here>>