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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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| Scott & Gemma modelling the new
competition leotards used at Eastleigh for the first time |
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| Hannah after the comp. |
Eastleigh Gala Weekend - 9th-10th February 2008
As trampolining within British Gymnastics prepares for a radical overhaul of its competition structure next year, the first phase was put in place recently with the first of the new Gala Weekends taking place at Eastleigh in Hampshire. Over these weekends a number of previously disparate competitions (grade 1, grade 2, tumbling and double mini-tramp), have been brought together competing over two days instead of the usual one. Brentwood Trampoline Club had competitors in both the grade 1 & grade 2 trampoline disciplines and saw some excellent results in terms of both competition and learning. Although the competitors were still seeking qualification to their respective national finals, their secondary focus was to attain a score sufficient to qualify for competition at either National C or FIG B in the new structure in place for next year.
Clean Sweep
With the grade 2 competition on the Saturday the club had two performers competing - Hannah McCann in the the under-13 and Anthony Williams in the over-19. Both succeeded in qualifying to compete in National C in 2009 although only Hannah managed to qualify to the National Finals on this occasion. In winning her 43-strong group by a substantial margin, Hannah asserted herself with a clear lead in the first round which she then extended in both the voluntary and final. Taking a clean sweep of 8-plus scores in the final round, she also posted 3 new personal best scores.
Finals
The grade 1 competition followed on the Sunday and started with bad news as Matthew Wright's knee was troubling him causing him to withdraw. Scott Gregory, Stephen Page, Gemma Phillips & Natasha Holme in the boys and girls under-17 groups respectively were all competing at the same time but it was definitely a competition of two halves. Scott & Stephen were both pulling out all the stops with strong performances seeing them both into the final round. Stephen had started off with a superb set routine scoring 3 8-plus scores and putting him in 2nd place with Scott just 3 places behind in 5th; Scott's higher tariff saw these positions pretty much reversed after the voluntary with Stephen dropping to 6th and Scott assuming 2nd place. With both through to the final round Scott just missed catching his Liverpool rival by 1.2 points finishing in second place on 93.6 against the winner's 94.8 but still having comfortably qualified to both National finals and for FIG B competition next year. Stephen stayed in 6th but, in doing so, still posted a new personal best score and qualified both to finals and FIG B. In contrasting form, Gemma & Natasha both gave disappointing performances with neither making finals or achieving qualifying scores.
Wake-up
Gemma commented afterwards "this was a bit of a wake-up call for me, I didn't perform to the best of my ability and I really do need to work harder in training to deliver my best". Brentwood's Head Coach, Paul Kitchen agreed adding "peak performance only comes from diligence at all times. Training sessions are just that, sessions to train the body and mind to achieve great things. Without focus there is no prospect of success and the boys have definitely shown today what constant focus can produce."
Try it for yourself
For anybody wishing to find out more about the club, or trampolining in general, you are invited to visit the club's website at www.brentwoodtc.org - there are also often spaces available for those of all ages looking to try the sport out for themselves.