School sport in brief: Gymfest attracts 350 participants

GYMNASTICS: Schools Gymfest at Bells Sports Centre in Perth was attended by more than 350 gymnasts from 23 schools across Scotland, performing a wide variety of group routines in front of a large audience.

Many of the 23 schools were performing at Gymfest for the first time, which is very encouraging for the development of the event.

The performance themes were as eclectic as ever this year, from Rihanna and Justin Bieber mixes to Pirates of the Caribbean and Wicked routines. Performing alongside the schools were five guest display teams from gymnastics clubs in Scotland, including Astro West Lothian from Livingston and Ballistix from Fife.

The aim of these teams performing at a schools event is to help show the school gymnasts what is on offer in terms of recreational and general display teams outwith the school environment.

It is hoped that this may encourage some of the school pupils involved to join their local clubs to improve their skills and enjoy the less pressured situations that non-competitive gymnastics offers.

Each of the performing gymnasts received a medal to close the event.

Foster honoured at awards dinner

RUGBY: John Foster, who recently retired as Director of Rugby at Dollar Academy, was given a Spirit of Rugby award at the Scottish Rugby club awards dinner on Friday to mark the contribution he has made to the sport, most notably at schools level.

From playing during his schooldays at Dunfermline HS and Gala RFC, to coaching the team at the Fife school, John continued to coach Midlands Schools and Scottish Schools.

He then joined the staff at Dollar Academy in 1983 where he coached every age group, winning the Scottish Schools Cup on three consecutive occasions from 2003 to 2005. A volunteer on the Midlands and Scottish Schools committees and the Scottish Age Grade Council, he was at the forefront of school rugby development for more than 30 years.

Pupils enjoy first taste of triathlon

TRIATHLON: Hundreds of Edinburgh schoolchildren enjoyed a taste of triathlon at the Tata Kids of Steel event. Around 500 pupils from schools across the capital headed to Forrester High School and St Augustine's High School for a hands-on experience. Children aged eight to 13 swam, cycled and ran their way around their very first triathlon.

Talented national performance triathletes, including Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games hopeful, Greg Turner, presented the pupils with their medals at the finish line.

Turner, a University of Stirling scholarship triathlete, said: "The kids gave it their all and were smiling the whole way round which was great to see. It's a brilliant event to introduce people to. I started out as a swimmer and ran for my school before moving into triathlon and hopefully some of the children will have picked up the triathlon bug."