Local Gymnast Receives Local Recognition
April 20, 2016
The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and Dame Mary Peters recently visited Salto Gymnastics Centre, Lisburn to congratulate local gymnast, Ewan McAteer on his recent medal success at the British Gymnastics Championships.
Ewan is a recipient of support from the Mary Peters Trust, which is the Mayor’s chosen charity this year.
Gymnast Ewan McAteer, from the Salto Gymnastics Club Lisburn competed at the recent British Gymnastics Championships which were held in the Echo Arena Liverpool.
The Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett, speaking about Ewan’s recent success, said: “It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to view Ewan in action at a training session here in Salto Gymnastics Centre. His recent bronze medal is a fabulous achievement for this young and talented gymnast and a first ever medal for a Lisburn based gymnast in this prestigious competition.”
The Mary Peters Trust and Sport Lisburn/Castlereagh provide help and support to Ewan as he continues to develop his gymnastic skills.
Dame Mary Peters added: “This is a tremendous achievement for Ewan especially just after an injury, which can be mentally and physically challenging. I am so proud of him.”
Mary continued: “All our young athletes train so hard and are very dedicated. They have to make sacrifices in order to be this good at their chosen sport. Another gymnast of ours Rhys McClenaghan also got a bronze medal at this event. It is so gratifying to see these young men be recognised for all the hard work they have put in.”
Speaking after his success, Ewan said: “I am delighted with my performance at the British Championship and the British Master’s Event and I’m even more thrilled to have medalled. I am just back in training 3 weeks after recovering from a stress fracture in my back and then my wrist that has severely limited my training for almost 6 months, so to compete in this competition and to actually medal in the vault feels just amazing.”
The Mayor and Dame Mary wished Ewan every success in his future competitions including the Celtic Cup in the Isle of Mann later this month and hope he is selected for the Junior European Championships 2016 later this year in Switzerland.