British Open Tournament 2006 Review

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 Tournament 2006

Clubs across the country, and further afar are now putting the final touches to their routines and perfecting their balancing for this years final competition- the British Tournament. The event is taking place on 2nd and 3rd December at Fenton Manor in Stoke On Trent.

With visitors from the USA, Belgium and possibly Belarus, and with current British, European and World champions from home turf it it set to be a great showcase of Acrobatic Gymnastics.

More deatils will be posted on the British Gymnastics Website...www.baga.co.uk

World Championships Portugal 2006

WELL DONE TO THE MENS FOUR FROM BROMLEY VALLEY...


They are the new WORLD CHAMPIONS

Putting Great Britian on the map for Acrobatic Gymnastics...

VIDEO: Portugese Womens Trio Worlds 20005

I've uploaded a video showing the title winning combined performance of the Portugese trio at the 2005 World Acrobatic Championships....

click here to Watch The Video!

A Perfect Balance: Emma Strachan

A Perfect Balance.


Emma Strachan has been crowned British Champion more than once in her career, three times in fact. For this talented Sports Acrobat, life isn’t just about training anymore. We talked camper vans, coaching and becoming a ‘proper adult.

As I walked into the gym where Emma trains I was instantly struck by the up-beat Latino vibes of the music filling the room. The other gymnasts in compete awe of her talent. Emma is subconsciously showing off her natural skill for the sport and the personal flare which she adds to all of her routines. With the grace of her dancing, pure strength and the perfect synchronisation of their balance and tempo elements, Emma and her partner are able to create a perfect cocktail of gymnastics, which the judges love.

This time it is only a practice and as the music stops Emma and Ellie, her extremely supple and equally talented partner instantly look at their coach for a reaction, before running over for advice on how to be even better.

In the 10 minutes they spend talking to their coach Neil, Emma is completely focused on what he is telling her, absorbing all she can to add that little extra pizzazz to her performance. As they walk off together, grab their water bottles and sit down for one of what Emma calls her trade mark
‘pep talks’ she noticed me watching and ran over to great me.

The first thing she asked was if I thought her routine was ‘alright’, not in an ego massaging way but purely for more critical feedback. It is not long before she completely changes the subject to her new kitten and is keen to show me pictures of it clawing her brand new cream sofas!

“I love Mo, she’s my baby but she is wreaking my new sofas and my all guests go home with gaping holes in their hands- I suppose she thinks she’s our guard cat!”

After 20 years of living with her Mum she decided to move out last year into her own flat and now 18 months down the line she is buying a house with long term boyfriend Anthony. Both Emma and Anthony have a passion for sports and Volkswagen campervans

“Sometimes I take a weekend off training to be with Anthony, we love going away in the van to the seaside, it nice to have a break now and then, it keeps you interested in the sport”

Things suddenly moving up a gear in Emma’s personal life caused her to consider quitting the sport. She made the decision to leave last year, but lasted two weeks and went back to train. The downfall to this change of heart was that in this space of time she sold the majority of her leotards and had to spend a small fortune on new ones.

“It was so upsetting to leave, I thought it would give me extra time, but I missed training so I decided to go back, and had to laugh when I remembered I had sold all my leotards!”

Her attitude to her gymnastics career hasn’t always been this laid back, Emma herself admits that just two years ago she wouldn’t not have taken any time off and was so submerged she could not focus on anything else, not even her A-levels.

“You can get so involved in your training you forget about everything else, now I have all the experience behind me I can switch off and enjoy other parts of my life, and maybe I’ll become a proper adult soon”

The former British Champion started gymnastics at the age of four, and has achieved a huge amount in this time. She has won competitions at club, regional, national and even at an international level, travelling for a competition in Poland. Her previous club CHANCE has a reputation for having a strong squad and Emma and her former partner Jessica Perry proved this by snatching the title for the first time six years ago.

In 2002 she moved to Stafford Gymnastics club, paired up with Ellie, and started the process again. This time her ties to the club are not just as a gymnast but also as a valued member of the coaching team

“Coaching is great, I can pass my knowledge on to other gymnasts, I can help Ellie loads. It is rewarding to see gymnasts work their way up into the squads”

Like many other gymnasts it is comforting for Emma to know she can stay involved in the sport long after she stops competing, but Emma has no intention of stopping anytime soon.

“I know I’m getting old for a gymnast, bit of a granny! But I’m not done just yet, as long as I’m still doing well and enjoying the training I will carry on. I have a lot more competing and winning inside of me yet”

Since writing the article Emma has moved to South Staffs Gymnastics Club, joined forces with talent top, Chloe and determined Middle, Carly. The trio recently won bronze at Grade 4 trio at the British Championships. They are sure to have more success in the near future too.

Music....

We all know how hard it is to find, the perfect and original pieces of music for acro routines. There are the favorites of NDP gymnasts- Mission Impossible etc etc...You've all heard them performed over and over again. Each competition seems to have its favorites, recently Chicago-Esq. 'jazz' music and more unquie beats are the most popular at both regional and national competitons.

What is important is that the style of the music is varied and allows creative choreography. It must also suit the gymnasts, there is nothing worse than seeing gymnasts on the floor, dancing uncomfatably to music they hate. With a huge 10 points now avalible for artistry its is more important than ever to find the perfect piece of music.

Here is a selection of my faves that you can download for free, they are all cut to 2.30mins ready to be choregraphed:


Latino- Would You? (mp3)
South American Jazz (mp3)
Aladdin (mp3)
Woo Woo Song (mp3)
Japanese Elegance (mp3)

They will be availble to download later this week.

Gymnast Profile: Chelsie Cooke

Name: Chelsie Cooke
Age: 14

Club: Stafford Acrobatic Gymnastics Club
Disapline(s): Womens Groups (Grade 2) and Womens Pairs (Grade 2)

Chelsie started gymnastics at just three years old, and has continued to progress and develop into a graceful and commited acrobatic gymnast over the last 10 years.

Cooke trains four times a week at Stafford Acrobatic Gymnastics Club, and is coached by a number of experienced coaches, including Ex-National Champion, Emma Strachan.

She has worked with various partners during her career. First, as a top in a womens pair, then taking a step up, she became the top of a grade three womens group with Sarah Robertson and Katie Jepson. Building her confidence and skills. When her bases moved away to university, Chelsie became a top of a mixed pair, with Matthew Rowley. With Matthew she has great sucess, reaching national finals and performing a flawless, beautifully choeographed routine to impress the judges.

Her best sucesses have come now she has made the move to a base of both a womens group and womens pair. Winning 1st place in various competitons, and reaching the 2006 National Finals, where the stunning trio won a bronze medal. The trio is made up of Jenny, 15, Chelsie, also 14 and Emily aged 9.

With a promising future in acrobatic gymnastics, Chelsie and her trio are on the way to more medal winning performances.

Chelsie's Current Medal Table:

Gold: 5

Silver: 3

Bronze: 1

Gymnast Profile: Jessica Perry

Name: Jessica Perry
Club: South Staffs Gymnastics Club
Age: 17
Disaplines: Open Womens Groups and Womens Pairs (Grade 2)

Jessica started her gymnastics career aged just five years old at her local lesuire centre where she joined Penkridge Gymnastics Club. By the age of six her talents had be noticed by her coach, and she was asked to join Cheslyn Hay Gymastics Club, and quickly began to improve.

Her rise through the ranks of British Acrobatics was metrioric. In 1998 Jess and her partner then, Emma Strachan won the title of West Midlands Champions, only to be crowned British Champions the following year.

By now, Cheslyn Hay had joined forces with Nortan Caynes Gym Club to form, CHANCE. Jess and Emma continued to work together untill 2000, when the successful pair were split up in a club change around. From then Jess began to work with Amy Marsdon, and an even more dynamic partnership was born. The girls finished in silver medal possition in that years British, and went on to secure a place on the Great Britain Squad to represent the country in Poland , where they finished in a respectable fifth place.

In 2001 Perry moved to Stafford Acrobatic Gymnastics Club, became a base and worked with various combinations of partnerships, across womens pairs and trios, collecting medals on the way. Her best success whilst at Stafford was with Hannah Mellor in womens pairs, where the two took the title of West Mids Champions and took forth place at the National Finals.

2004 saw a new club and new partnerships for Jessica, she moved to South Staffs Gymnastics Club and teamed up with Claire Rutter and Onnah Brunskill (picture below) to form a talented and graceful open trio. The three girls won the title of West Midlands Champions at Grade 4 trio, and finished inside the top ten at the finals. Jess and Onnah (picture left) also work in pairs, and this year won gold in the West Midlands Qualifiers, and went on to finish in third place at the National Finals.

Looking to the future Jess has high ambitions to regain a place in the Great Britian squad, this time as the base of her trio and with the quality and consistancy of her gymnastic career so far, there is no doubting that she'll be able to manage it.

Striking A Balance

Gymnastics can be an extremely rewarding and exciting sport, every young girl who walks in to a gym for the first time gets a taste of success, and dreams of the Olympics or World Championships whirl around her head. The hard work and dedication to achive these dreams are only realised once the training begins.

Striking a balance is an investigative article looking into the dangers of elite gymnastics, highlighting issues such as eating disorders, injuries and the pressure the sport can carry. It looks at acrobatic and artistic gymnastics. Interviews with gymnasts from across the sport provide an insight in to the world of elite gymnastics.

The article is avalible to download here: Striking A Balance

Striking A Balance is Copyright of Sarah Robertson 2006 (c)

GB Selections for World Championships 2006

British Gymnastics have announced the Acrobatic Gymnastics teams to represent Great Britain at the 20th World Championships and 4th International Age Group Championships in Coimbra, Portugal from 11-19th June and 19-25th June...The Teams are as follows:

World Championships Team

Women’s Pairs- Amy Crow, Julie Cameron from Wakefield

Men’s Pairs- Mark Fyson, Christopher Jones from Deerness Valley
Rees Durbidge, Edward Upcott from Spelthorne

Mixed Pairs- Robert Tregoning, Alex Grayson from Deerness Valley

Women’s Groups- Leanne Turner, Emily Collins, Victoria Lamkin from Spelthorne
Erin Jameson, Claire-Louise Thompson, Grace Blacklock from Harrow

Men’s Groups- Christopher McGreevy, Mark Pool, Alex Uttley, Jack Atherton from Wakefield
Adam Denny, Adam Smith, Adam Dobbs, Andrew Price from Bromley Valley

Coaches -

Matei Todorov Technical Director
Stuart Thompson Deerness Valley
Neil Griffiths Spelthorne
Vladimir Makarchenko Wakefield
Barbara McDuff Bromley Valley


International Age Groups Team (12-19 years)

Women’s Pairs- Deborah Owen, Kelly Mannion from Harrow

Men’s Pairs- Liam Durbidge, Jonathan Stranks from Spelthorne
Luke Rooney, Richard Hurst from Deerness Valley

Mixed Pairs- Christian Beecher, Katie Axten from Spelthorne
Lee Colley, Sarah Cameron from Wakefield

Women’s Groups- Katherine Smith, Ciara McGrath, Jessica Dangerfield from Harrow
Natasha Johnston, Emma Storey, Amber Webster from Wakefield

Men’s Groups - Adam McAssey, Adam Buckingham, Jamie Cowler, Sam Sturt Spelthorne


International Age Groups Team (11-16 years)

Women’s Pairs- Casey Morrison, Ellie Cooper from Spelthorne

Men’s Pair- Dorian Walker, Stephen Raine from Deerness Valley

Mixed Pair- Douglas Fordyce, Shelly Evans from King Edmund

Women’s Group- Amy Buckingham, Paris Lever, Roisin Evans from Spelthorne

Coaches (International Age Group Teams)

Matei Todorov Technical Director
Karl Wharton Deerness Valley
Neil Griffiths Spelthorne
Vladimir Makarchenko Wakefield
Natasha Maxwell Harrow

More details can be found on the Official British Gymnastics Website

What is Acro?

Acrobatic Gymnastics (formally Sports Acrobatics) is a dynamic combination of dance, acrobatics and gymnastics skills. The routines are performed is various forms with 5 possible disaplines; Womens Pairs, Mens Pairs, Mixed Pairs, Womens Groups (trios) and Mens Groups. (mens fours). The routines are performed to instrumental music and last two and a half minutes.

Pairs are made up of a base and a top. Women's groups are comprised of a base, a middle, and a top partner and men's groups have a base two middle and one top partner. Bases are generally older gymnasts that display strength and balance. Tops are generally younger and have great flexibility and agility. Middles are often required to show a combination of all attributes.

A world class acrobatic gymnast would have to show an amazing combination of agility, balance, strength and grace to be the best.
Image: Jess, Claire and Onnah WG South Staffs