After a hallmark half-century of teaching, gymnastics coach Sheila Whiteford has finally bidden her farewell to the Earlston Gymnastics Club.

Tipping off her coaching career at Earlston High School in 1976 as a PE teacher, Whiteford has developed countless candidates over a long range of disciplines, including dance and tennis. Now, she’s headed to a peaceful retirement.

“I feel pleased in a way to be retiring,” she said, according to Border Telegraph’s writer Chris Faulds. “The club is strong at the moment, and I feel the time is right for me to retire. There are a lot of able coaches who can take over what I do.”

Whiteford, who initially started as a PE teacher, soon recognised the popularity of gymnastics among youngsters. And it didn’t take her long to develop the program, which now offers 8 weekly classes and coaches about 180 gymnasts.

“I found that gymnastics was an area that was very popular, particularly with girls, and they wanted to develop along that line,” she said, according to Faulds. “There were a lot of girls interested in dance as well, so I did quite a lot of work involved in dance.”

But all good things come to an end. However, the retirement will not keep Whiteford away from the club.

Sheila Whiteford Will Stay Connected to the Club

A PE teacher and more, Whiteford contributed to staff development and even helped expand sporting facilities within the Borders by transforming a derelict site into Earlston Tennis Club. And she wouldn’t deny the attachment.

“I’ll still keep in touch with the coaches and the gymnasts,” she added in the same segment written by Faulds. “My grandchildren are now young gymnasts at the club. So, I’ll be able to keep up with what is going on. I’ll still have a close link with the club…”

The ex-coach will dedicate her free time to golfing, freed from four nights a week at the club. But despite it all, Whiteford concluded her long career at Earlston to be a great enjoyment.

Moving forward, can you name another gymnastics coach who retired this month? Let us know in the comments.

Follow Gymnastics Digest for more.

Written by

Deblina Roy