Two members of a Crumlin-based gymnastics academy have seen off competition from across the UK to be crowned winners at the British Gymnastics National Awards.

Valleys Gymnastics Academy coach Jaz McLellan won the Equality and Inclusion award, while Ava Tunley, 13, won the Young Leader award.

This year’s awards ceremony was meant to be held in Telford on January 29, but this was cancelled due to the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant. Instead, the award winners are being announced on social media each day between January 29 and February 4.

Jaz won her award after after helping the club secure a ‘gold’ ranking for inclusivity by Disability Sport Wales. This came about after she created a wellbeing and inclusion panel at the club, which has seen increased numbers of dedicated sessions for children and young people with a disability.

Meanwhile, volunteer coach Ava helped support the club’s coaches with their online teaching during lockdown and now helps the younger gymnasts each week. She was also appointed as the club’s first ever Wellbeing and Inclusion Ambassador, following on from Jaz’s work.

Ava said she has had “so many incredible opportunities” during her two years volunteering at the club and added: “Gymnastics is my passion and it’s so important to me that children have the opportunity to pursue their passions.

“I’ve done my job if every child leaves the gym smiling whilst learning something, this is what makes me feel most proud.”

VGA managing director and coach Melissa Anderson, said: “Both Jaz and Ava embody and embrace the culture of VGA and over the last 18 months have really driven developments further forward, including increasing our disability provision and establishing VGA’s Inclusion and Wellbeing Working Group.

“I couldn’t be more proud of both individuals; they really deserve this recognition for their outstanding work.”

Ms Anderson, who was recognised as one of the top coaches in the UK last year, said the award wins are a “testament to the very high quality of the work” carried out at the club.

The award wins come off the back of a successful few years for the club, which saw it crowned National Club of the Year in 2020 – a first for a Welsh club.

It was the fourth time in five years the club had been nominated for the honour.

Welsh Gymnastics Interim CEO Siwan Davies said: “It is fantastic to see Ava and Jaz receive well deserved recognition with these awards.

“I’d like to thank them for ensuring that gymnastics is accessible to all and enjoyed by those who take part. Their stories will hopefully inspire others to take part or deliver gymnastics.

“They have made Wales very proud.”