Highlights from 2008
Springboard to Success
This Sunday saw the inaugural competition of the South West Regional ‘Springboard’ competition. Representing Bristol Hawks in the 10yrs & under section were Rosie Tuck Hopes & Megan Solomon who came 7th & 14th respectively from a field of 25. Their best performances of the day came on the floor exercise where they both produced lovely routines. Rosie included a free cartwheel in her programme & Megan a front salto, both elements giving them bonus marks for a score of 11.95. With a couple of costly falls each on the other apparatus both girls have room for improvement but their coaches are very pleased with the progress they continue to make. Well Done Megan & Rosie
Toby to Represent South West Region
Bristol Hawks gymnast Toby Rossiter has had a late call up to the South West team. He will compete at the National Finals of the NDP to be held in Newcastle this weekend. Toby will compete in the six strong Primary 4 team alongside his training partner Billy Cochrane. They both qualified by competing well in the Regional Championships.
Amy training in Romania
Bristol Hawks Gymnast Amy Sharp is one of 11 gymnasts chosen from the Great Britain World Class Start Squad to train at the National Junior Training Centre in Onesti Romania. The trip runs from April 12th-20th. The girls will train alongside the Romanian Junior National Squad and be guided by the Romanian National coaches responsible for preparing girls for the multi Olympic Medal winning Romanian Team. The Onesti Centre’s most famous daughter is one of the most respected gymnasts ever ~ Nadia Comaneci ~ . Nadia went on to win nine Olympic medals [5 gold,3 silver & one bronze]. This trip will give Amy the chance to experience the unique training venue and methods used by the Romanian’s to produce their champions. All young gymasts and aspiring champions would do well to read Nadia’s own ten rules for living :~
1. Master the basics
2. Focus on the details
3. Expect to struggle-it is not easy to succeed
4, Acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them
5. Define success in your own terms
6. Enjoy the process because preparation is everything
7. Do more than is asked of you
8. Be original-make your own impact
9. Be willing to scrifice-it makes success even sweeter
10. Maintain your love and passion for what you do
[quote taken from ‘Letters to a young gymnast’ Nadia Comaneci]
South West Teams Medal at British Schools
Bristol Hawks Girls helped the South West Teams to win National Medals this weekend in Newcastle.
The Junior team included Amy Sharp who helped the team to 2nd place overall. Amy included a number of new elements in her routines which are being prepared for the British Teams Competition later in the year. Wales took the gold medals and the home team the North took the bronze.
The six strong Senior South West team included three Bristol Hawks girls ~ Stacey Godden; Laura Lovell & Hannah Frampton. The Senior Competition was won by the North with the East Midlands in second and our South West Team in third place. Our girls all included new elements with special mention to Laura who was competing for her first time ever for the South West Region and achieved a personal best score to go with the team bronze medal.
Brilliant Results for Bristol Hawks Boys
Bristol Hawks gymnasts Billy Cochrane & Toby Wingate Rossiter travelled to Exeter to compete in their first ever Regional level competition this Sunday 16th March. Both boys competed well to finish 6th & 7th respectively in a field of 24 boys from across the South West Region. As a result of these placings Billy has been selected to compete for the regional team at the G.B. National Finals and Toby has been selected as first reserve for the team. Toby excelled both in the Physical Preparation Programme [an exercise designed to test the strength & flexibility of the gymnasts] where he was the second placed gymnast & the floor exercise where he placed 3rd=. Billy best apparatus was the high bar where he placed 3rd. Great results which show good potential for the future ~ WELL DONE BILLY & TOBY.
Claudia Qualifies for British
With a fantastically composed performance Bristol Hawks gymnast Claudia Fragapane passed the Elite Level 2 Compulsory Grade this weekend in Liverpool. This is the top grade in the country and passing it allows you to enter Britains premiere competition ‘The British Championships’. 10 year old Claudia passed with flying colours and with this performance has proved she is one of the high flyers of the gymnastics world. She has been steadly climbing up the British rankings moving this time from 22nd in November 2007 to 11th in March 2008. WELL DONE CLAUDIA!
Successes at South West Club Grade 3 2008
Charlotte Banks, Holly Downey and Zoe Potter all excelled at the South West Regional Club Grades held at Melksham this mothering Sunday. All the girls gained a Distinction which is the highest level of pass mark. Particularly pleasing were their performances on the beam where they overcame their nerves to all stay on. Very Well Done
Bristol Hawks Club Grade 3 Gymnasts
Charlotte Zoe Holly
Shannon Shines in Belfast
In her first ever international assignment Bristol Hawks Shannon Lee produced a stunning performance helping the Welsh Junior Team to victory at the Celitic Cup 2008.
Shannon was also second in the overall individual competition behind her team mate Jessica Hogg.
Shannon Wins Place in National Team
11year old Bristol Hawks gymnast Shannon Lee has won a Place in the Welsh National Junior Team for the prestigious ‘Celtic Cup’ which takes place in Belfast on the weekend of the 22nd-24th February 2008.
Shannon included a number of new elements in her routines at the trial held in the ‘Welsh Institute of Sport’ at Sophia Gardens Cardiff on Jan. 27th. She proved her worth to the National Coach and was selected to represent her country both at the Celtic Cup and the British Schools Apparatus finals to be held in Newcastle in March. This will be Shannon’s first ever International for her Country ~ A fantastic achievement ~ ‘Well Done’ Shannon.
