A former champion gymnast who competed nationally has been hailed an ‘inspiration’ for showing leadership in sport.
Ria Taylor won medals as a junior competing with Derby City Gymnastics Club. The 28 year-old from Mickleover represented her club in various competitions both home and abroad, in Tag Team Gymnastics.
She is currently general manager of Progressive Sports Derbyshire, Chesterfield and Nottingham, which delivers sports coaching for children in primary schools. They also host several successful after school and holiday clubs across the region.
Director Adam Holland has praised Ria’s management and, ahead of International Women’s Day, has called for more organisations to have females in senior leadership roles.
His comments come after a study by Women in Sport revealed that more than one million girls lost who thought of themselves as sporty at primary school lose interest in physical activity as teenagers with a fear of being judged and a lack of confidence among the main reasons cited for a waning interest.
“Ria joined us in 2016 and has helped to drive Progressive Sports Derbyshire, Chesterfield and Nottingham forwards,” said Adam.
“We now operate in 32 schools locally and last year, despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, was our busiest summer to date. Ria has played an integral part in our growth. Almost 50% of staff at Progressive Sports are female and it would be great to see that number increase further.”
Ria said: “Sport has always been something that I have an interest in and I’m grateful for the support and mentoring that Adam has provided over the years. I enjoy leading our high performing team at Progressive Sports, alongside teaching at Ravensdale Junior School, in Mickleover, in the afternoons, so it’s a perfect role of teaching and management based work.”
Progressive Sports Derbyshire, Chesterfield and Nottingham have grown 77 per cent over the past two years, despite the challenges of Covid.
And, now that restrictions have been lifted completely Adam, Ria and the team are planning a busy summer of events including a tournament for primary school pupils in Derbyshire and an enrichment programme centred around the Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Birmingham in July.
“Our after school and holiday camps saw a huge increase last summer, on the back of a successful Olympic Games for Team GB,” said Adam.
“It is great to see so many children wanting to get active and, hopefully, a medal haul at the Commonwealth Games in nearby Birmingham will increase numbers at our sessions further.”
As well as after school and holiday clubs, Progressive Sport also partner with primary schools to deliver their PE sessions.
They work with schools – including ones in Derby City, Matlock and Swadlincote – to provide lesson plans, evaluations and assessments which are in line with the Ofsted framework.
Adam added: “Last year, the Government recently announced funding for schools in the UK – including right here in Derby and Derbyshire – to help deliver sessions. Each primary school is set to receive some of the £320m which has been set aside and I can’t stress just how important it is that schools use this cash on physical activity.
“PE has moved on so much in the past few years and there is much more awareness of the positive effect that taking part in activity has on children; sport can help with general wellbeing, communication and anger management.
“As long as that activity is engaging and varied, plus as inclusive as possible – and our coaches are fully trained to deliver this – then it is of great benefit to everyone involved.
“Children’s health – both physical and mental – has never been more important.”
