The 'Big Apple' bears fruit for Esprit

27 April 2007

It has been exciting month for gymnasts from Stratton’s Esprit Gymnastics Academy. Not only have they continued their winning ways in the UK, their young superstar rhythmic gymnast Laura Halford has been making waves across the ‘pond’, in America, as well.

Birmingham Duets & Trio’s

The month started when several girls visited Birmingham for the Halesowen ‘Duets & Trio’s’ competition and returned with a host of medals. The Senior Group section consisting of Scarlet Rolt, Rowan Gregg, Elise Hale and Kate Faulkner secured the Gold medal, whilst the Junior Clubs routine performed by April Coombs and Gemma Rand secured the Silver.

It was then the turn of the clubs youngsters with Maya Lucas and Gabriela Caruso winning Silver in the under 10 Hoop duet. Harriet Evans, Hannah Curtis and Alicia Veveris winning Gold in the under 12 rope trio and Jade Faulkner, Micia Falaki and Laura Halford Bronze in the Junior Ball trio. Jade and Laura then teamed up with Jade to win Gold in the Junior Clubs duet and finish off yet another successful campaign for the Swindon club.

Jade selected for Great Britain team

Following the Birmingham success, there was even more great news for Esprit, with junior gymnast, 13-year old Jade Faulkner being picked to represent Great Britain at her first ever, International event.
Electronics giant LG, sponsors of the British Rhythmic gymnastic team, hosted the LG International at the Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke-on-Trent, where the GB team, including Jade pulled off an incredible win against Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Canada, Russia and Slovakia.

Laura leads Welsh in America

As the month of April drew to a close, Esprit’s 11 year old British Champion, Laura Halford flew to New York in North America with the academy’s head coach Deb Hows, to represent Wales at the 2007 Coaches Cup at the City’s Isadora Gymnastic facility.

There was an impressive collection of the some of the worlds best, from the sports leading rhythmic gymnastic nations, including Spain, Germany, Hungary, USA, Russia, Canada, Italy, Turkey, Finland and the Ukraine.

Laura showed an attitude and level of self-discipline that belied her tender years and proved just why she is the Great Britain under-10 overall Champion.

She won a well deserved Silver medal in the Free exercise and Bronze in the Rope which secured a well deserved 4th place overall and the title of ‘Miss Elegance’, an award chosen from all the gymnasts in attendance.

“Laura was a great ambassador for her country, Wales, as well as Esprit”, said Esprit Chairman Mark Hows”.

“To record such impressive results and be recognised by the judges as having the most elegance of all gymnasts present, means she really has started to make an impression internationally, we couldn’t be more proud of her and all our gymnasts”.