GYMNASTICS: Future world beaters

Rachel Palfrey, Lauren Forsyth , and Georgia Rooke competed together in the 11-16 women's trio section finishing 7th overall while Shaylee Moore, Jes Kenway and Valentine Tutcher finished 8th in their trio.

The doubles team of Lauren Davey and Sarah Hodkinson failed to qualify for the final after making a mistake in the heats but also put in a strong performance in their first competition.

The girls were competing against the top teams from England including a London based team currently ranked no.1 in the world as well as squads from Russia, Germany and Holland among others.

The girls all come from Honiton Gym Club, where they train four times a week and will now be setting their sights on British Championships next month and the Flanders International Cup in Belgium in Easter.
Coach James Reddy said: "I was really pleased with the girls and they all did well. It was their first big competition and for both the trios to reach the final was excellent.

"All the teams made a few mistakes and could have been higher up the table but it was a promising start and its something we can build on for the future."

Acrobatic Gymnastics is not yet an Olympic sport but is fighting to achieve that status and already at the top level at such a young age there is every possibility for these girls to be 2012 Olympic hopefuls.
There is little funding available to the girls however and competing at the highest level comes at a cost to their families. For travel and accommodation costs alone it will cost in the region of £1500 each this year. If you would like to sponsor the girls then contact Performance Coach James Reddy on 07967 835947.


Photo: FUTURE WORLD BEATERS - Girls from Honiton gym club in training