Esprit gymnastics Club Competition breaks more records
20 June 2007

Sunday 17 June saw Esprit gymnastics annual club competition being held at the clubs Stratton base. The weather held fine and the competition was its usual success with approaching 1,000 people crammed into the clubs converted warehouse throughout the day.

The competition itself is open to all the clubs members who train in the clubs ‘grass routes’ programme. Squad gymnasts don’t compete as the competition is designed to reward and recognise the amazing efforts of young people who only attend for a limited amount of time every week. The squad gymnasts spend the day helping the youngsters, scoring, warming up and generally ensuring proceedings run smoothly.

As the competition coincided with Fathers Day, lots of proud Dads got the best present of all, watching their youngsters achieve personal goals, win medals and receive an impressive participation certificate as a reminder of their achievement.

All age groups and skill level were catered for, from the group 1 beginners, some as young as 5, through to the clubs more accomplished and older boys and girls. All showed off some impressive techniques on the various apparatus including the trampoline, vault, beam and bars and everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable day, with the barbecue doing a brisk trade.

Club Chairman, Mark Hows said, “It was, as usual, a great day out for all the family, it just gets better every year. The only thing that spoils the day is trying to make sure everyone can see properly, the club has grown so much and so many people want to see what their children have achieved. It is really hard fitting everyone in’.

It is also one reason why the club has launched a petition against Swindon Borough Council, demanding that they take action to help Esprit provide a more appropriate environment for the clubs growing membership.

“We signed up hundreds of people on the day”, continued Mark, “even though it was difficult to get around and see everyone. We have also launched an online petition where anyone who believes the council should support this important grass routes sport can sign up”