Ask incoming Bermuda gymnastics coach Bob Nelligan what makes a true gymnast, and he will answer, someone with real heart.

And the American coaching veteran has seen plenty of that from gutsy girls Kaisey Griffith and Caitlyn Mello who both battled injury to earn creditable performances at the World Championships in London this week.

Griffith, struggling with a heavy cold and an injured hand, placed 75th while Mello, nursing a back strain and a long-term ankle injury, came just three spots behind.

It was a ranking better than retiring coach Tina Williams had hoped for. Before the event she had said to break into the top 100 of the world's best gymnasts would be a difficult feat.

Williams said yesterday: "We are really happy, it shows we are on the right track. They did really well."

But despite their heroics, Nelligan has to start again when he takes over the reins from Williams in December because Mello has retired while Griffith is off to college.

Nelligan, who assisted Williams in London, said: "We are losing the backbone of our programme – we are losing Tina, Caitlyn and Kaisey.

"We have to bring the young ones up and hope Kaisey and Caitlyn will stay involved and pass on what they have learned from their world travels."

Mostly he hopes the youngsters can learn from their spirit.

Mello even debuted a new manoeuvre at the O2 Arena in London, despite the pressure.

Nelligan said: "To go into a World Championship and do skills she has never done before at this level says volumes of what they are capable of doing and tells something of what type of competitive instincts they have.

"It might be a very small island but they know how to get out and get it done."

Being a great gymnast was all about heart, believes Nelligan.

"There are many people who have all the right criteria – strong bodies, quick muscles – but if you don't have heart they can't pay you enough to do this sport.

"It is very demanding."

The move to Bermuda wasn't a leap in the dark for Nelligan. He had worked with a Bermudian gymnast Jenny Wright back in 1997.

"I had enjoyed my time with her – she is now a gymnastics coach in South Idaho where she runs a programme."

And Nelligan knew Bermudian gymnasts on the circuit as being hard workers and strong at the Island Games level.

"It was a great opportunity to finish my career. My son took over at the university which is very unusual.

"So, knowing my athletes were taken care of, the timing was excellent."

But Nelligan still took his time to assess the Bermuda set-up before making the switch after 31 years at Maryland University.

And he liked what he saw although he has a tough act to follow with Williams leaving after taking Bermuda to Island Games glory on a regular basis.

Nelligan said: "To come in after 31 years and have to do everything all once wasn't feasible.

"But when I came over and talked with the girls and saw how they trained I was very impressed with the foundation which Tina has laid.

"I felt it was a great opportunity for me to come in, take what she has done and push it a little farther ahead and leave it in great shape for the next person who came in."

Nelligan isn't sure how long he will stay but made it clear it's the younger generation he is targeting with the 2013 Island Games, hosted in Bermuda, of prime concern.

Asked why the Island Games of 2013 and not the one two years earlier was the main focus, Nelligan said: "It's the first time we have the opportunity to tell the world that we can put on a big show.

"There's an awful lot of work that goes with that. Tina has been working diligently, getting everything right.

"Now it is my job to make sure everything is in place."

Nelligan has already spent a month in Bermuda, helping Williams prepare for the World Championships.

Now he is planning the next chapter.

"We are sorting through the youngsters who have potential, trying to encourage the ones that need to step it up a little bit.

"Unlike most sports, gymnastics change every four years. It gets harder every four years.

"Football – it's still the same pitch, same goals.

"But what these girls are doing right now at the World Championships will be considered commonplace for 2013.

"So we have to get the young ones – tell them Kaisey and Caitlyn did it, you should be able to do it as well."