Three gymnasts from Durham have been selected for the Great Britain squad for European Tumbling Championships taking place in Valladolid in Spain from March 28 to April 3, 2016.
Rachel Davies, age 17 from Langley Park, Durham, a silver medallist at last year’s World Championships, has been selected for the Senior GBR team in her second year as a senior competitor.
Georgia Clayton, age 18 from Spennymoor, silver medallist as a junior competitor in last year’s World Championships, has been named as reserve for the senior team in her first competition as a senior competitor.
Shanice Davidson, age 15 from Washington, a silver medallist as a junior competitor in last year’s World Championships, has been named in the GBR Junior Team.
Rachel and Shanice will compete against senior and junior competitors from Denmark, Russia, Portugal, France, Ukraine, Armenia, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, Belarus and Azerbaijan as they attempt to win medals and a place on the podium for Great Britain. Georgia will be in reserve for the GBR senior team.
Deerness Gymnastics Academy head of tumbling, Glen Wharton, has also been selected as a Great Britain coach at the major international competition.
Glen said: “Tumbling is going from strength to strength at both this club and at national level resulting in a lot of competition for places on the national squads. Just to be selected is a great achievement but we are training hard and focussed on performing at our best in Spain and hopefully that will bring the club and country success.
“Tumbling is not a high profile sport but we have hundreds of children and young people participating in acrobatics and tumbling at all levels at Deerness Gymnastics Academy every week and not only will they be showing their support but will also be inspired by these gymnasts.”
Deerness Gymnastics Academy, which has Matt Baker as its patron, has become one of Britain’s top gymnastics clubs over the past twenty years, with over 100 international gymnasts with more than seventy World and European medallists, including fifteen World and European Champions in its roll of honour. It is not only one of the most successful clubs in Great Britain but it is also recognised on the International scene as one of the top clubs in the world.
Gymnastics coaching in acrobatics, tumbling and trampolining is available to all ages from novice to elite level. Recreational classes are available for children from 3 years and baby gym sessions take place on weekdays. To find out more call: 0191 373 9419 or visit deernessgymnastics.org or follow on twitter @deernessga or find on Facebook.