Denise Goddard

Denise Goddard was a Welsh gymnast who competed for Great Britain. An office worker from Cardiff, she took up Gymnastics at the age of 10. At the age of 14 Goddard was runner-up to Pat Perks in the 1960 British Women’s Championship, and every year between 1961-64 was runner-up to Monica Rutherford. Goddard eventually won her only title in 1965 when she deposed the four-time winner Rutherford. She was coached by Arthur Maidment at the time. An injured shoulder prevented Goddard from retaining her title in 1966.

Goddard was also in the Cardiff Olympic team, coached by Maidment, that won the British Women’s Team Championship in 1962 and 1964. She also won Welsh junior and senior titles. She was selected for the 1960 Roma Olympics but was turned down by the International Gymnastics Federation because she was too young. Her place was taken by Yorkshire’s Jill Pollard. Goddard eventually went on to compete at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Goddard started coaching at the Cardiff Central Club in 1965 but left in 1986 after more than 20 years when her contract was not renewed.