Taken from a report for The Gymnast (March 2006)
With 2006 arguably being the most successfully year ever for British Acrobatic Gymnastics and Tumbling, everyone was looking for a great finale to a year of hard work and amazing success. With the tally of medals in to the twenties at both European and World Championships this year, there was always going to be an array of talent competing this weekend.
For months partnerships, both old and new, up and down the country and across the world have been working hard to showcase their talent at the 2006 British Open Acrobatic and Tumbling Tournament, (1st-3rd December) and what a showcase it was!
This was truly an international event, with delegates from the ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />USA, Belgium, Republic of Ireland and Belarus competing along with 28 clubs from across the UK. But with the country's big clubs, Spelthorne, King Edmund and Deerness opting out of this year's Tournament, the competition was left open the podium could have been anyone's. Instead, a lot of clubs made their mark on the national stage this weekend, with competitors from Andover, Oxford Norwich taking part in the event, showing their ever developing talent.
As gymnasts, coaches and families descended on Stoke-On-Trent for the weekend's competition officials and event organisers were busy getting Fenton Manor Leisure Centre ready. More security than ever was in use to keep everyone in line and changes had been made in organisation to help the event run smoother than ever, including moving the usual 'competitor pit' from behind the judges, keeping the area free and looking very professional!
For the first time the competition began on the Friday night with the Senior and Out of Age pairs and groups performing their balance routines on the Eve of the usual Saturday start. Everyone seemed to get off to a good start, with only a few wobbles and mistakes being made. However the show was stolen by two partnerships in particular, Harefield's out of age trio, Hannah Feeney, Grace Blacklock and Claire Thompson who performed their balance routine immaculately and Carlos Amaro and Tyler Spray, the USA's national squad senior men's pair. The American men quickly whipped up the crowd with their high tariffs and immaculate rock-esque routine to the White Stripes', Seven Nation Army. Spray, the top of the pair certainly impressed the audience with his one arm full mexican. The Americans had an all round great opening to the competition with senior mixed pair, Brian Kincher and Kristin Allen completing a beautifully performed routine with little to deduct and remarkable choreography opened up the chance for big artistry scores. After a good opening routine from the majority of gymnasts, it left the competition open for the remainder of the weekend.
Saturday morning, and the days competition was opened by our American visitors, in the form of age group women's group, Porter, Lingo and Harms who after the final finished in a respectable 4th place. Overall the Age Group competition got off to a very good start with a high standard of gymnastics being displayed from all groups and pairs. A few partnerships had that little extra over the rest of the group. The 11-16 Wakefield duo, Beth Ledger and Beth Sykes performed a near immaculate balance routine showing off the pair's bridge pin with straddle lever and exciting tango-esque choreography. The Wakefield girls stood in gold medal position at the end of qualifiers in both routines and walked away with gold in the finals with an impressive score of 28.150. The American visitors continued to make an impression the judges and spectators throughout the Age Group competition, but missing out on medals by a few places and hundredths of a point.
One of the more impressive and perfected routine of the competition also came out of the Age Group category and from virtually newcomer club Oxford and their 11-16 Womens Group (White, Ballentyne-Styles and Burr) whose sleek and graceful balance routine won them the highest score of the competition (28.900) The trio, who represented Great Britain in the recent European Age Group Championships in Poland made few mistakes which won them the high score from the judges. The rest of the age group competition was to an equally high standard, showing lots of potential for the future of the sport. Matei Toderov, Technical Director of Acrobatic Gymnastics and Tumbling, who was at the Tournament all weekend believes the talent on show is a result of changing dynamics within the sport. He told The Gymnast; "Even without two of the country's best clubs but with the guests from abroad and the rest of the talent from Great Britain we can see the level of talent in British Acrobatics has gone up, no doubt about it!" he continued; "With new talent and skills coming from the gymnasts and new cubs coming on to the national scene, British Acrobatics is changing. We can see new styles of gymnastics and choreography emerging as ex-gymnasts are now becoming coaches."
By Saturday afternoon the competition was in full swing, with everyone in good spirits and having a great time, as well as lots of talent being shown on the floor from all regions. London region proved strong in the Junior Womens Groups with Harefield trio, Smith, McGrath and Dangerfield, impressing the judges with their perfected routines and strong range of skills, including fake bridge with stack, top planche to a standard which was hard to deduct from. Their powerful music and original choreography helped them win the group with a score of 28.700. Silver was taken by Wakefield trio Johnstone, Storey and Webster and Harefield's fellow London club, Bromley Valley (Rees, Bowditch and Whitehurst) took bronze with a polished routine containing the only 'Spadge' balance with planche and release of the foot, impressing both the judges and spectators. Their 'American' themed routine also went down well with our Stateside visitors!
All the Mixed Pairs across the groups had a first-rate competition and a high standard to aspire to. For Anthony Middleton and Amy Laycock from Wakefield and part of the Junior Great British team it was their last competition together, they walked away with a gold medal after a successful career together. Belgium junior mixed pair, Roeck and Van Wilk has the only serious fall of the competition, when Van Wilk over-rotated out of a high difficulty double Arabian. After a rest, the pair returned to the floor on Sunday performing their combined routine and completing the same move, this time sticking it. The remainder of the routine included an impressive one arm planche on one and long arm Y-Scale, showing off Van Wilk's amazing flexibility and Roecks strength, and proving to everyone they could complete a near faultless performance, and take a medal. Wakefield's other Mixed Pair, Colley and Cameron also proved Acrobatic Gymnastics ever rising standard by completing a routine with both high quality dynamic and balance content and also managing to complete a double Arabian with an immaculate landing.
Matthew Short and Sean McKenna represented the South West (Monarchs) in the age group men's pair's competition, and although only two partnerships entered this category Short and McKenna gave a good performance and gained a respectable score of 26.350.
Local Clubs South Staffs and Stafford were mostly busy helping in the organisation of the event, whilst Grade 4 trio (Strachen, Robinson and Burlton 51.150) represented South Staffs on the floor, with a clean and tidy performance in both tempo and balance routines, winning them the silver medal behind the impressive trio from Richmond in the London Region. (Genov, Goldring, Russell 51.800)
Overall the American visitors had excellent results at this years Tournament, but Head of Delegation, Tom believes it was much more than what was happening on the floor; "It has been great, it is the first time USA Gymnastics has brought over a delegation to a British competition and it has been brilliant and our athletes have really enjoyed it." He continued; "It is the first time some of our athletes have travelled internationally and it is a great experience for them to travel with their sport, some thing they love!" on behalf of USA gymnastics he added; "British Gymnastics had fulfilled our every request and need and has bent over backwards to make the experience seamless and well run we are very grateful for this opportunity, We will look forward to returning next year!"
On Sunday afternoon, special presentations were made to gymnasts, judges and coaches who have all achieved great success in the sport over the last couple of years. Anthony Middleton from Wakefield (mixed pair with Amy Laycock) who is leaving the sport to continue his studies and GB tumbler, Samantha Palmer, were among the young gymnasts receiving special commendation for their success within the sport. Coaches and judges were also recognised for their contribution during the presentation by Matei Toderov, along with the highly successful Great British tumbling squads.
Overall it was a weekend of high quality acrobatic gymnastics and a great atmosphere. The presence of the international guests was welcomed by all whilst the skill of both the Belgians and Americans showcased the rising standards in Acrobatic Gymnastics on a global level. Everyone is now looking forward in to 2007 and the development of new and exciting talent that is set to emerge from a number of British clubs. As well as the return of clubs such as King Edmund and Spelthorne to the competitive scene. Whatever happens, let's hope that this year can bring as much success to British Acrobatic Gymnastics as 2006 did!
Results
11-16 Womens Groups
1) Joanna White, Amber Ballantyne-Styles, Rosie Burr (Oxford) 28.900
2) Catherine Aitchison, Rosie Green, Ellie Newitt (Oxford) 28.450
3) Hannah Busha, Steffani Scheid, Mariah Spray (USA) 28.150
11-16 Womens Paris
1) Beth Ledger, Beth Sykes (Wakefield) 28.150
2) Louise Lee, Hannah Johnstone (South Tyneside) 27.800
3) Alison Hayes, Louise Kelly (Ballincollig) 27.650
11-16 Mens Pairs
1) Matthew Short, Sean McKenna (Monarchs) 26.250
2) Tim Shaw, Harry Ruddlesden (Rotherham) 25.950
11-16 Mixed Pairs
1) Christopher Rodgers, Abby McArdle (Monarchs) 27.050
2) Jamie Pugh, Nicole Sander (West Street) 26.950
3) Christopher Collins, Lauren Jarrett (Monarchs) 26.100
Grade 4 Womens Groups
1) Tsveti Genov, Tashi Goldring, Josie Russell (Richmond) 51.800
2) Carley Robinson, Emma Strachen, Jessica Burlton (South Staffs) 51.150
3) Ellya Thomas, Erin Jameson, Laura Noone (Harefield) 50.950
Grade 4 Womens Pairs
1) Poppy Spalding, Rachel Prest (Harefield) 48.490
Grade 4 Mens Pairs
1) Lee Baker, Keiran Baker (Harefield) 49.300
Grade 4 Mixed Pairs
1) Chris Cranfield, Ellie Stewart-Croker (Horsham) 49.650
2) Carl Denham, Fiona Cowley (Falcon) 39.500
Junior Womens Groups
1) Katherine Smith, Ciara McGrath, Jessica Dangerfield (Harefield) 28.700
2) Natasha Johnston, Emma Storey, Amber Webster (Wakefield) 28.450
3) Josie Rees, Amy Bowditch, Sophie Whitehurst (Bromley Valley) 27.450
Junior Womens Pairs
1) Deborah Owen, Kelly Mannion (Harefield) 27.750
2) Mallory Henthorn, Savannah Shields (USA) 26.900
3) Anita Jones, Cet Williams (Moelwyn) 25.950
Junior Mixed Pairs
1) Anthony Middleton, Amy Laycock (Wakefield) 28.550
2) Lee Colley, Sarah Cameron (Wakefield) 28.400
3) Nick De Roeck, Amber Van Wijk (APG Art Gym) 27.100
Senior Mens Pairs
1) Carlos Amaro, Tyler Spray (USA) 28.150
Senior Womens Groups
1) Hayley Buckman, Hannah Pompa, Charlotte Franklin (Southampton) 25.310
2) Elke Knaepkens, Kim Delose, Caro Annaert (APG- Art Gym) 24.300
3) Kirsty Warren, Abigail Marsh Molly Baily (Southampton) 23.750
Senior Mixed Pairs
1) Matt Bennet, Isis Clegg-Vinell (Horsham) 26.170
2) Brian Kincher, Kristin Allen (USA) 25.140
Senior Womens Pairs
1) Alison Novis, Danielle Coe (Horsham) 25.450
2) Tania Noble, Bibi Passmore (Richmond) 21.600
3) Kelly Bilverstone, Natalie Jarvis (Norwich) 20.650
Out of Age Mixed Pairs
1) Leon Fagbemi<>, India Bigg (Bromley Valley) 47.883
2) Nathan Lewerthy, Mia Surplice (Southampton) 41.733
Out of Age Womens Groups
1) Hannah Feeney, Grace Blacklock, Claire Thompson (Harefield) 54.240
2) Sue Bayley, Christie Vinsent, Ashleigh Lavender (Saltney) 49.687
3) Naomi Baskwill, Rachel Brown, Georgia Green (Monarchs) 49.683
Out of Age Womens Paris
1) Zoe Hitchen, Ellie Pearce (Checkers) 40.817
The British representatives were: 
