Two gymnastics coaches from Greater Manchester and the surrounding area are on the list of expelled members of British Gymnastics which was published today.
One on the list, issued by the sport’s governing body, officially remained a member of the organisation for nearly a month after his criminal conviction for crimes of a sexual nature.
The list features 62 names, mainly coaches and judges, who have been banned from membership of British Gymnastics for safeguarding or disciplinary reasons, or a criminal conviction.
The list will continue to be updated as more investigations conclude and dates back to 1994, says British Gymnastics.
This is the first time the names have been publicly released and comes over a year after the damning Whyte review found “systemic” emotional and physical abuse in the sport.
The list includes Neil Salisbury, a former coach at Warrington Gymnastics Club, who was jailed on three counts of sexually assaulting girls in August 2006.
British Gymnastics’ publication reveals that he was only expelled on August 29, nearly a month after he was found guilty on August 1 and four days after he was sentenced at Chester Crown Court.
Another name on the released list is Ashley Wilson, who worked as a coach and welfare officer at Cheshire Gymnastics Club in Northwich.
He was convicted on January 29, 2021 of 17 counts including making, possessing, and distributing indecent images, with the most serious count being the rape of a girl under 13.
Wilson was only expelled from British Gymnastics four days later, on February 2, 2021. Both Wilson and Salisbury had their memberships permanently removed as a result of their criminal convictions.
Expelled members can reapply for membership five years after their expulsion.
Members who are currently suspended amid ongoing disciplinary investigations have not been named on the list, meaning the numbers included could increase significantly.
The list is billed as part of the governing body’s “Reform 25” plan of overhauling its culture. It does not include any specific case details, only the person’s name, role, and the date, type, and category of sanction.
Its publication comes nearly a year after it was announced that British Gymnastics would do so, and also reveals that only 11 people have been expelled since the explosive abuse allegations in 2020 which brought about the Whyte review.
Only three people have been sanctioned since the review, which took place in June 2022.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety and wellbeing of all those involved in our sport,” said Geraldine Costello, British Gymnastics director of welfare and safe sport.
“While anyone banned or expelled had already been removed from the environment, we believe publishing this list is in the best interest of the sport and the wider public.”
Featured image: Unsplash
