Esprit girls wonderful Welsh weekend
8 December 2007

Welsh National Championships, successful final preperation for the 2007 British Championships.

With only a short amount of time before the 2007 British Championships, 6 of Esprit’s 7 qualifiers took advantage of one last top-flight competition – The 2007 Welsh National Championships.

With a closed section for Welsh born gymnasts and an open section for all comers, Stratton based Esprit continued with their winning formula, seeing several notable successes.

Under-9 gymnast Gabriela Caruso followed up her recent Bath Open Silver medals with 2 Gold medal-winning performances in the open section. Alicia Veveris Secured 2 Silvers with Maya Luca 7th & 5th in the under 10’s.

Micia Falaki and Gemma Rand, competing for the Junior titles, again in the Open section, were both close together, with Micia claiming two 4th and and two 5th places and Gemma two 4th places, a 5th and 6th.

Laura Halford was up to try and make it three Welsh titles in as many years, this year in Under 11’s and she wasn’t to be disappointed, sweeping the board in the closed, Espoir, section and a further two Golds in the Open section. Taking her THIRD Welsh Championship title in as many years.

Following on from her recent OCS Young Sports Personality of the year award, this result along with her many other successes saw Laura nominated in the annual Welsh Sports Awards as Gymnast with the most potential. Yet another glittering awards dinner and maybe even another award, was the final event she had to look forward to. Before her attempt at winning her third overall British Rhythmic gymnastic title, in the last three years.

Esprit spokesperson, Mark hows said, “This has been an exceptional year for all of our gymnasts, especially Laura. Being nominated for one award is memorable but two in the same year is unprecedented. Things have been shaping up very well for the British Championships and having so many gymnasts qualify is a reflection of how hard the girls have worked and how well they are supported by head rhythmic coach, Deb Hows and the whole Esprit coaching team.”

“It looks like being a fabulous end to another great year, he concluded”.