Private School News

Marist pupil is the 2008 British Aerobic Gymnastics Champion

Emily Gale, A level student at the Marist and national squad aerobic gymnast from Bulmershe gymnastics in Woodley is the 2008 British Aerobic Gymnastics Champion

BULMERSHE GRABS 42 GOLD MEDALS AT THE 2008 BRITISH AEROBIC GYMNASTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

Aerobic gymnastics is THE hottest ticket in British gymnastics today. Bulmershe in Woodley continues its remarkable surge as this country’s standard bearer for a sport that is now perceived as the most dynamic and energetic of all gymnastic disciplines.

At the 2008 British Championships held at Fenton Manor in Stoke-on-Trent the 3-5th October, gymnasts from Bulmershe were on fire. They amassed 42 Gold, 18 Silver and 7 Bronze medals in an exceptional display of prowess in individual, trio and six team competition. Of the 17 British Titles available, Bulmershe claimed an outstanding tally of 11, including the top prize in the elite Senior FIG (over 18 group). It was a fantastic weekend and the best ever record of results for this club. Medals around necks were on display across every category, including the elite FIG (Federation International de Gymnastique), Foundation and NAC (National Aerobic Code.)

In a stunning demonstration of grace and power, Emily Gale, unseated the defending Senior Individual female champ to become the 2008 British Aerobic Gymnastic Champion. This followed her success at qualifying for the final at the French Open Grande Prix last May where she achieved the highest score ever awarded to a Senior British Aerobic gymnast abroad and came in 7th.

And throughout the weekend of the British Championships, medals for Bulmershe just kept on coming. Sebastian De Verteuil, reigning European, French and 2007 British champion easily retained his title. He wowed the assembled and inspired the over 300 gymnasts who participated. Chloe Farrance, in the 15-17 age group, was in top form as she powered through three routines – individual, trio and six team. taking gold in each. Her trio mates are Seb De Verteuil and Ellie Spooner. Chloe’s sister Olivia, competing in the 12-14 age group, repeated her hat trick from the French Open and like her sister, took gold in all three of the events in which she competed. Team mate Georgia Mackie was right behind her and took silver in the individual category. Then, Olivia’s trio, along with Hannah Owen and Robyn Irvine saw off tough competition to claim gold before her six team along with Hannah and Robyn, as well as Ella Augier, Conor Glancy and Kayleigh Silva from Martines Action Pack in Cardiff took gold, edging out the other Bulmershe six team of Emily Boyce, Angharad Callaghan, Georgia Mackie, Myfi Mountford, Darcy Tyler and Stella Vinet who took second place honors with a silver.

In other FIG action, Rebekah Galpin struck gold in the under 12 National Development comp while Katie Boyce scooped her silver in the Foundation under 10’s. Marvin Gordon and Joshua Lockwood took top honors in the individual male Foundation and National Development categories.

In NAC, Shelby Tyler, competing in the 15-17 age group was awarded a silver medal in her individual as well as silver in her trio with Joanna Carrick and Eve Burns. Next, Rebecca Hughes took silver in the 12-14 as well as a gold for her trio, along with team mates Daisy Walters and Alyson Gale. Lastly, Jessica Kirkpatrick,in the under 12’s, brought home bronze in a tightly contested NAC battle and her. trio, along with Kate Wilson and Amy Watts took top honors at the podium with another gold. Credit for getting these gymnasts to such excellent levels of attainment goes to their dedicated coaches, Gemma Kirkham, Kerry Scotts, Katie Richards and Holly Lowe.

In the next few years, when the UK along with the other 124 world members of the FIG are successful and aerobic gymnastics is finally designated as an Olympic sport, we will look back with pride on these dramatic achievements out of Bulmershe. The successes of these brilliantly talented gymnasts will have been pivotal in making such an accession possible.