ESPRIT SWEEP THE BOARD AT THE GRADES

Sunday, 21 March 2004, saw the first of this years Artistic Gymnastics competitions with the County Club Grades competition held at the impressive, Lottery funded, Wiltshire School of Gymnastics in Melksham.

Since moving into their new home at Unit 3 the IO Centre Stratton, at the end of January this year, Esprit Academy students have worked extremely hard preparing for this prestigious annual event. Children between the ages of 6 and 10 years of age from all over Swindon and Wiltshire competed at various levels and Esprit Academy gymnasts proved just how having excellent coaching in a proper training facility can improve performances.

In Grade 6 for 8 year olds Esprit gymnasts swept the board with the top FIVE places awarded to Esprit gymnasts. Ellena Foxwell led the way with an impressive first place closely followed by Hayley Thomas in second, Georgia Clements in third, Hannah Curtis fourth and Jessica Shimwell Fifth. Emily Hayward only just missed making it six out of six by 0.3 of a point, coming seventh overall.

In grade 6 for 9 year olds Esprit only had one gymnast competing, but Ellie Barrett proved her ability by winning Gold again for Esprit in an extremely hard fought contest.

Grade 5 for 9 year olds again saw Esprit lead the way. With only three gymnasts in this section Esprit girls never let the side down, Victoria Sutton taking an impressive first, Erin Milroy a great second and Daisy Rolt third in another clean sweep. Esprit’s nearest rival being almost three full marks behind third placed Daisy Rolt, a fantastic achievement.

Finally came grade 4 for 9 year olds and Esprit’s only entrant in this grade, Carla Williams, was in an incredibly close contest against Katherine Turner and Laura Kendrick, both from the host club Wiltshire. In the final result Carla won a well deserved Silver medal missing gold by less that 0.75 of a point whilst pushing Laura into third by 0.05 of a point, breathtaking stuff for those privileged enough to be watching, the top three separated by less than a point.

So that’s it 11 girls from the Esprit Academy competed and 8 won medals, and the only reason the other 3 didn’t was because their own team mates had already won them. Katy Smith Head of Artistic coaching said, “For years we have been saying to anyone who would listen, give the children of Swindon a purpose built centre to train in and they will give you champions and nothing has happened. But now the parents, coaches and helpers have done it themselves everyone can see, from these results, the children of Esprit have not let anyone down. They have all worked incredibly hard for this competition and I for one am proud to be their coach”.

“Katy continued, Gymnastics in Swindon now has a very bright future ahead of it and I am sure you will continue to hear many more success stories from these incredibly talented young people.”

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