First
published 20 January 2006
‘By
Gum’, Jade joins Laura at the top of British Gymnastics
As
any top sportsman or woman will tell you, getting to the
top in sport is incredibly tough, staying there is harder
still. But simple facts like that don’t faze two
Swindon youngsters from the Esprit Academy of Gymnastics
in Stratton St Margaret.
Regular
readers of the Swindon Advertiser will well know the exploits
of nine-year old rhythmic gymnast Laura Halford, she’s
the one that came second in the Sports personality poll,
is a member of the Welsh National Team, is Welsh National
Intermediate Champion, competed in Russia, won Silver
and Bronze at last years British Championships and was
then picked as a part of the British ‘World Class’
programme. All before her 10th Birthday! Well Laura looks
like she won’t be the only one getting all the headlines
in future as fellow Esprit team mate and close friend
Jade Faulkner has joined Laura as part of the British
Squad following extensive testing recently at the National
centre of excellence at Lilleshall.
Both
girls were invited to trial along with team mate, Micia
Falaki after all three put in exceptional performances
in last years British Championships. It was a long day
where the girls were put through a rigorous selection
procedure being tested on skills such as balance, flexibility
and body conditioning, with the top performers being invited
to join the British squad.
The girls then had to wait for 4 weeks whilst the scores
were assessed and Jade and Laura were told the fabulous
news of their selection. Micia missed out by the narrowest
of margins, which was no disgrace considering the level
of competition for spaces, with some gymnasts who had
been in the squad for years also missing out and no one
would bet against her bouncing back and joining her friends
in the not to distant future.
Jade
(12) will now join Laura at the home of British gymnastics
in Lilleshall for training camps with the prospect of
International competitions in the future and the chance
to mix with Britain’s finest gymnasts. Both girls
were ecstatic at the news with Jade hearing of the result
from proud mum, Mary Faulkner, whilst at the dentist having
an examination. She was very probably the only patient
to be seen with such a large smile, in any dental practice,
for a very long time.
The
news of these girls selection comes at a time when Rhythmic
Gymnastics has been given a massive boost by the news
that Electronics giant ‘LG’ has agreed a seven-year
sponsorship deal with British Gymnastics that will take
the sport through the Olympics in London in 2012. Esprit
spokesperson, Mark Hows said, “Jade and Laura will
be approaching their very best in 2012 and now the British
team has this important sponsorship it will help the team
focus on their long term development. I for one wouldn’t
bet against seeing these girls as part of a British team
that represents their country and Swindon at these historic
games.
If
anyone would like to know anything more about these talented
young ladies or indeed Esprit Gymnastics and Trampoline
please contact 01793 822262
