Rhythmic Round-up
A review of Esprit’s competition success in 2004 for our Rhythmic gymnasts and what to look forward to in 2005 – by Deb Hows
Feb – Laura Halford, our young rhythmic star successfully trialled for the Welsh National Development Squad, enabling her to train at National level, with some of the best gymnasts in the country.
May – April, Kate, Jessica and Scarlett took a well-deserved Silver medal at the Inter Club Group Competition. In the under-10 Duet Gemma and Faye won Silver and Ella and Hannah were 4th. The under 12-rope trio was won by Scarlett, Kate and Jessica and they, along with April came 2nd in the under 12 hoop group. The under 10-hoop group resulted in bronze for Clarice and Laura whilst the Junior clubs duet saw Elise and Rowan take Silver.
June – The Annual Canterbury International against teams from Europe as well as the UK saw Esprit figure extremely well with Laura Halford taking the overall Pre-grade under 8 Championship as well as Gold in hoop and free sections. Alicia won Gold in the under 8 novice with her free routine and April secured Silver with her ball in the under 12 Novice.
Jade and Micia were both invited to trial for the Great Britain National Suad.
July – The Spelthorne open sees some of the brightest young talent from the world of rhythmic gymnastics and winning medals is always extremely difficult. Coach Deb Hows was therefore justifiably proud of: Under 8 Novice - Alicia Gold and Hannah 5th; Under 10 Novice Hoop – Gemma 5th Faye 8th; Under 10 Novice free – Gemma, Gold; Under 12 novice ball – Kate, Silver; Grade 4 Hoop – Clarice, Silver; Grade 4 Free – Clarice, Silver. Clarice was also to be congratulated for qualifying for the National Grades Finals, as were Micia and Jade at Grade 6. Three gymnasts in the National Grade finals was a tremendous achievement.
At the Welsh Open Championships Laura Halford won Silver in the Hoop, and Free, in the Welsh only championships Laura again won the hoop and free sections as well as the overall under 10 championship and the Iris Parry award for the highest score – Esprit’s first National Champion in its first year!
In the under 10 Intermediate Clarice won Silver in Hoop and Free; In the under 12 Novice Kate won Gold in Ball, whilst Rowan won Silver for her Ball and Bronze in Free. The under 12 Intermediate Ball was won by Jade who also secured Bronze in her Free. Micia won Bronze for her Ball and Silver for her Free in the same section.
September – It was off to the Grades Finals where Elise Hale didn’t just qualify for the National Grades Finals she did so in a brilliant Silver medal position.
October – The Billings open saw Hannah, Katy and Ella secure Silver in the under 10 trio, whilst Kate was a Bronze medallist in the under 12 Ribbon.
November – The end of an extremely successful year saw Clarice, Jade and Elise all competing at the National Grades Finals. Clarice was first up in Grade 4 and surpassed herself by winning Silver in the Hoop and a very impressive Bronze in the overall competition. Jade was in Grade 6 and like Clarice won two medals, Bronze in Rope and Bronze in Ball. At Grade 8 Elise looked set to win the overall title with an impressive Gold in Rope and Clubs and Silver in Ribbon, but mistakes in her Hoop Routine cost her dearly and she had to settle for the Bronze overall, it was however still an extremely successful competition. Well done girls you were great ambassadors for the club.
2005 will continue the same as 2004 with our girls continuing to shine at competition. We have a strong base of young gymnasts coming through to push our existing stars on to bigger and better things. 2005 looks set to be another exciting year.
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