News from around the Region. This page is now dedicated to news from around the region as it is sent to the editor. 

Items in this section are kept for aprox 3 months then moved to 'Archive News'.

News items should now be sent to: carolyn.devereux@gymnasticsengland.org

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Three south west clubs came together on sunday 6th of June for a skills exchange workshop, held in Weston, the three clubs, City of Bath Rhythmic, Weston Aerobic Gymnastics and Gemini Gymnastics Club all brought along 10 gymnasts each, to work, train and learn together. The gymnasts were able to try out Rhythmic, Aerobics and Acrobatics gymnastics during the days training which included a parents workshop on "how to help your child in gymnastics". The session was organised by South West Development Officer, Katie Irwin and led by coaches, Sarah Binding, Debbie Saunders and Carolyn Devereux.

30 gymnasts enjoyed the full days training led by the very experienced coaches, both the gymnasts and the coaches enjoyed trying each others disciplines and working alongside other coaches, many gymnasts commented on how much they had learnt from the day working together, and how each discipline had common links although they were all on the surface very different. The coaches all felt they had benefitted from working together and sharing ideas, training and practice. The day fulfilled the aims of the gymnasts learning and mastering new skills, and discovering that they all have different strengths and how they can learn from each other and they all had loads of fun!  Katie Irwin said of the event 'It was great to see such experienced coaches come together and  share their knowledge, although in different disciplines within gymnastics there were  similarities and several additional areas each coach can take back to their gym for future training. It was a fantastic experience for all involved, including myself'.

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BOYS NDP RESULTS 2010 - Click here

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Francesca Fox received Daphne Dickens Rosebowl for her successes for Rhythmic Gymnastics

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Womens Artistic South West  Squad Sparkles! click here to read

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SOUTH WEST MOTIVATIONAL SQUAD

This was open to any club in the Sw. It was organised by Liz Kincaid and hosted by City of Bristol. The gymnasts present were taught a dance warm up, a ballet bar routines, conditioning routine and did some basic lines as well as apparatus work. For most of the day the sessions were led by two gymnast from the Academy,Charlotte Bennett, and Maisie Dodds, who had made up  the dance and ballet routines especially for the squad. They did an amazing job and as a result the gymnasts present had  a fantastic day and now have routines to teach to others within their clubs. We hope to make this squad an annual event.

SOUTH WEST SCHOOLS 2010 RESULTS, TUMBLING & FLOOR

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4th Somerset Festival of Movement 2010

Friday 26th March 2010 saw the fourth Somerset Festival of Movement, taking place at Wellsprings Leisure Centre, Taunton. Sarah Binding, Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) joined forces this year with Katie Irwin, Gymnastics England (GE) to co-deliver the event.

The festival has been developed to encourage participation in display work from all levels of Gymnastics and Dance. Whilst bringing together schools, school clubs, recreational clubs and competitive clubs, to demonstrate their skills and abilities. This event allows us to celebrate the talents and hard work of those within Somerset and its surrounding areas. The evening show cased a total of 147 gymnasts and dancers, and over two hours of fantastic dance and gymnastics.

This year a mixture of Schools and Clubs came together to take part, with Gemini Gymnastics Club entering the event for the first time, bringing a mixture of boys and girls who displayed in a wonderful group display, winning them the 'Most Imaginative Group Display' award at the end of the event. Other winners included a pair of Haygrove pupils who personally choreographed and performed a lovely dance piece, gaining the 'Best School Performance', and also a group display from Weston Aerobic Gymnastics Club, who performed several different displays on the night which won them 'Most Imaginative Competitive Display'.

Katie Irwin, GE was quoted in saying, "This was the first year we introduced selective awards, and we feel they have been well received and well deserved, well done to all".

The audience, which was over 150 strong, were treated to a fantastic display of aerobic, acrobatic, rhythmic, men's and women's artistic and dance. Along with the talents on show there was a raffle where spectators were in with a chance of winning a Milano Tracksuit, an A-Star Leotard, Easter eggs and various other goodies.

Sarah Binding, SASP said of the event "We have made some small changes since receiving feedback on last years event, all of which have made this event a large success, thank you to all who have entered and supported the festival".

Each gymnast and dancer went home with a participation certificate and their own event branded tee shirt.

Although this year there were no trampolinists entered it is hoped that we will see that discipline covered again in the 2011 Festival of Movement.

A massive thank you to all those who entered and took the time to show off their routines to the eager audience: Orchard Gymnastics Club, Gemini Gymnastics Club, Enmore Church of England Primary School, Haygrove School, St. Joseph's Primary School, Spirit Gymnastics Club, Weston Aerobic Gymnastics Club and City of Bath Rhythmic Club. 

We hope you will continue the celebration of Gymnastics and Dance in Somerset!!