It’s official, the South West ‘IS’ the best in Britiain
2 July 2007

Stratton based gymnastics club, Esprit have again cemented the clubs position at the very top of the sport. Three of the clubs rhythmic gymnasts teamed up with regions other top club, the City of Bath and travelled to Burton-on-Trent to win the 2007 Inter-regional Championships.

The championship sees the nations very best rhythmic gymnasts competing for the title and the South West went one better than last years Silver medal winning performance, with many outstanding performances, to take several impressive individual medals, along with the overall team title of 2007 Inter-regional Champions.

Esprit’s gymnasts were in the thick of the action, throughout the age groups, with Gabriella Caruso getting the South West off to a flying start with a wonderful Silver medal in the Under-9 Hoop section.

It was then the turn of Esprit’s British team member, Alicia Veveris who took the Gold in the Under-10 Rope and Silver in Hoop to ensure the South West remained in contention for the overall title.
Alica and Gabriella’s performances were supported by a well deserved 4th place for Esprit’s other team member Hannah Curtis and the exceptional girls from Bath. Francesca Fox, Lynne Hutchinson and Marnie Calwell, all finished in the medals to ensure the South West became the National Champions.

This fabulous result was made possible by the efforts of all the South West gymnasts and was achieved without Esprit’s other top gymnasts Jade Faulkner and Laura Halford, who were away on International duty and unable to compete.

Esprit Chairman, Mark Hows said, “to have 2 of the country’s top gymnasts unable to compete and still win the National title is testament to high standard all the girls are now performing at. They fully deserved to win, all of them pulling out all of the stops to ensure a victory for the South West.”

“It is also proof of the exceptional coaching provided by both Deb Hows of Esprit Gymnastics and Sarah Binding of the City of Bath Rhythmic club. They are both exceptionally dedicated to their sport and the gymnasts they teach.”

“All the girls representing the clubs understand that it is an honour, not a right, to be asked represent your club, at any level. And the results the girls have had this year fully justified their selection to the South West team”. He concluded, “winning the National title is just reward for their efforts” and proves Esprit’s training and selection policy is the ideal way to develop this amazing grass roots sport”.