RUSKIN TOP OF THE CLASS

THE Swindon Schools Gymnastics Champion-ships were staged at the Esprit Academy in Stratton for the first time. Esprit gave over their purpose-builit facility for the championships, which were organised for youngsters up to Year 6 age. A small but enthusiastic crowd of parents and well-wishers cheered on all of the gymnasts in an event dominated by Ruskin Junior School. They took all of the medals, as well as the overall team shield, which was donated by the Evening Advertiser.

Moredon Junior School's pupils also produced some impressive performances and although unable to get the better of their Ruskin rivals, they could take great heart from their performance, and fourth place overall. 

Esprit have committed themselves to hosting the annual event and are already looking for many more junior schools from the Swindon area to enter next year's championships. Schools can enter by contacting the Esprit Academy or event organiser Creighton Muirehead, head of Ruskin Junior School.

Espirit's gymnasts, meanwhile, have been going from strength to strength since moving into their new facility in February. They have won numerous competitions throughout the country, and one of their youngest gymnasts, Laura Halford, has been selected for the Welsh national rhymthic gymnastics squad.

Halford's results continue to impress and a fantastic display in Espirit's first ever international competition saw her winning the under eight tournament outright, and first place overall in the hoop and free sections. The Canterbury Cup is an annual invitation event for gymnasts from all over the UK and Europe, and among this year's visitors were representatives from France and Finland. Esprit, though, proved to be the stars of the show, with Halford finishing above many gymnasts much older and more experienced than herself.

Not to be outdone, though, Espirit's other young stars proved that the talent runs deep at the Academy. April Coombes (12) finished a very close second in the under 12 ball section, while another future star, Alicia Veveris, who is still only seven years old, topped the under eight novice section. Coach Deb Hows said: "The Canterbury Cup is one of the highlights of the young gymnasts' year and to win any medal at these championships, against this level of competition, is quite a feat.

"But for these three young Espirit girls to win three golds and a silver, as well as the overall trophy, is nothing short of spectacular."

Following their Canterbury Cup success, Esprit moved on to the Spelthorne Duets competition and the Northampton National Group Championships and the girls notched up another series of impressive results consisting of two bronze medals, four silver medals and a gold. Hows added: "The competition season is now fully under way and Esprit's run of success really is starting to show the talent Swindon has.

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