30
Nov 2006
The very, very best of British!
As
far as the domestic competition scene is concerned they
don’t come any bigger than the British Championships
and that is where the exceptional athletes from the Esprit
Academy of Gymnastics and Trampoline were last weekend.
The
clubs very best rhythmic gymnasts were in attendance at
the Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke-on Trent, with
the hope of showing just how far the sport has come in
Swindon, in only 3 years. And Esprit’s four participants
Jade Faulkner, Harriet Evans, Alicia Veveris and Laura
Halford showed exactly what Swindon’s top gymnasts
are capable of.
In the under 9 category Alicia Veveris got Esprit’s
campaign off to an amazing start with an incredible Silver
medal in the all around competition at her first ever
British Championships. It was then the turn of National
team-mates Laura Halford and Harriet Evans in the under
10’s.
This
is where things just got better, with both girls performing
outstanding routines. When the results were announced
Harriet, again at her first British Championships, was
announced as the Bronze medallist, Esprit supporters were
ecstatic, a Bronze and Silver in the first two age groups.
But
still it wasn’t over, another young Esprit star,
Laura, wasn’t announced when it came to Silver,
so had she done enough? The announcement was made. ‘In
the Gold medal position, from Esprit Gymnastics –
LAURA HALFORD’, she did it, Esprit’s first
British Champion.
Jade
Faulkner competed later in the under 13’s and cemented
Esprit’s position in the top flight of British Rhythmic
gymnastics with a hard earned 5th place and after that
it was one whirlwind of medal ceremony’s and celebration.
Laura kept up her amazing run and qualified for and won
every single apparatus Gold on the Sunday finals, with
Harriet claiming a brilliant Bronze in Rope, Alicia an
amazing double Silver and Jade Faulkner another great
Bronze in Rope.
“When
Esprit first opened in 2004 we predicted Esprit would
have a British Champion within 10 years”, said Esprit
Chairman Mark Hows. “To have produced not only a
British Champion but a Silver and Bronze medallist in
only 3 years and at the same championships is nothing
short of incredible. We are convinced this is only the
start, we fully expect these girls to just get better
and better. We have always said Swindon has the potential
to produce Olympians and as long as these girls get the
appropriate support in the future are convinced at least
one of them will be flying the country’s flag at
World and Olympic championships in the not too distant
future”.
Anyone
who wants to see these exceptional athletes show what
it takes to be the best, can contact Esprit on 01793 822262
where a few tickets will be available for the clubs annual
display on 16 & 17 December.
