The short version
- Clare Hague is coaching at the Horizon Cup in Greece despite receiving a formal warning from British Gymnastics regarding allegations of controlling and fear-based practices.
- Complainants argue that allowing Hague to participate in international competition invalidates their previous reports and discourages future disclosures of abuse within the sport.
- British Gymnastics maintains that outcomes are based on thorough assessments and asserts that any member deemed a risk would be removed from the sport.
A high-profile gymnastics coach has traveled to Greece to lead a team at an international youth competition, a move that has reignited tensions within the British gymnastics community. Clare Hague, the head coach at Dronfield Gymnastics Academy near Sheffield, was selected by English Gymnastics to participate in the Horizon Cup, an event for junior and pre-junior athletes aged eleven to sixteen. Her participation comes shortly after British Gymnastics issued her and her club a formal warning following an investigation into serious allegations concerning coaching methods and athlete welfare.
The governing body’s recent investigation concluded with a two-year formal warning against Hague and the academy, accompanied by monitoring and development measures. Documents reviewed indicate that the inquiry considered claims of fear-based coaching, emotional harm, restrictive practices, punitive attendance policies, and the psychological impact on children. While British Gymnastics upheld several of these concerns, it did not disclose to the complainants which specific allegations were validated, leaving ambiguity regarding the severity of the findings.
Critics within the gymnastics community have expressed deep frustration with the decision to allow Hague to coach at an international level. Complainants from two separate investigations described the outcome as a significant setback for those who had risked their standing to report misconduct. One individual, speaking anonymously due to fears of repercussions for her daughter, stated that the situation adds insult to injury for families who have already endured difficult processes to raise concerns about safety and treatment.
Specific allegations cited in the recent case include restrictions on basic physiological needs during training. Reports suggest that some gymnasts at Dronfield felt too afraid to request bathroom breaks, leading to incidents of wetting themselves or choosing to avoid drinking water entirely. These practices stand in direct contrast to safeguarding rules introduced by British Gymnastics in 2023, which were designed to eliminate behaviors described as being on the fringes of abuse and to ensure athletes have access to water and restroom facilities.
This is not the first time Hague has faced scrutiny. A previous investigation in 2022 resulted in recommendations for further training after allegations of years of emotional and physical abuse were raised. The timing of that earlier inquiry was notable, occurring just months after the independent Whyte Review exposed systemic issues within British gymnastics. That landmark report found that athlete wellbeing had not been central to the organization’s culture and issued seventeen recommendations aimed at improving safeguarding, complaints handling, and governance.
In response to the Whyte Review, British Gymnastics significantly increased its investment in welfare and safe sport initiatives, doubling spending to approximately one million pounds annually. Despite these structural changes and financial commitments, complainants argue that the practical application of safeguards remains inconsistent. One former complainant noted a lack of faith in the system, observing that the outcome of the recent investigation felt disappointingly similar to previous resolutions that failed to result in more severe disciplinary action.
Dronfield Gymnastics Academy has defended its position, stating that it cooperated fully and transparently with investigators. The club released a statement expressing satisfaction that the investigation did not identify serious issues requiring immediate remediation and highlighted positive feedback received from members regarding their experiences. The academy emphasized its proactive collaboration with British Gymnastics to implement improvements and ensure a positive environment for all participants.
English Gymnastics, which manages regional programs and national team selections under the umbrella of British Gymnastics, announced Hague’s role at the Horizon Cup while she was still under investigation. This timing has drawn particular criticism, as it suggests that her professional standing remained intact despite ongoing scrutiny. The organization’s decision to include her in an international delegation underscores the complex relationship between affiliated home country associations and the national governing body.
British Gymnastics declined to comment on the specifics of individual cases but reiterated its commitment to fair and balanced assessments. A spokesperson emphasized that every concern is treated according to its nature and that the organization has a duty to consider all perspectives before determining outcomes. The governing body stated categorically that any member considered a risk would be removed from the sport, asserting that Hague’s continued involvement indicates she does not meet that threshold.
As the Horizon Cup proceeds, the situation highlights ongoing challenges in translating policy reforms into consistent enforcement. While structural changes and increased funding aim to protect athletes, the presence of a coach with a recent formal warning at an international event raises questions about the effectiveness of current safeguards. For families and advocates, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the difficulties involved in holding power accountable within elite sports structures.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗'A smack in the teeth' - warned coach to work at international youth event
