Twenty-one acrobats from Deerness Gymnastics Academy are heading to the first National Finals of the year this weekend (13 & 14 May) as they compete in the NDP (National Development Program) Championships.
To qualify the gymnasts, aged between 9 to 19, had to take the GOLD medal in the regional qualifying competition which took pace earlier this year in South Shields. At the regional finals the club from County Durham, won more medals than any other club as it won 13 medals, 9 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze.
The following gymnasts, nine partnerships, 21 gymnasts in total, won GOLD qualifying them for the national finals.
- NDP 1 Women’s Pair – Amber Askew & Poppy Wilthew
- NDP 2 Women’s Pair – Lucy Wealleans & Mia Nigrelli
- NDP 4 Women’s Pair – Jenny Lawson & Lilli Gardner
- IDP Women’s Pair – Chelsea Nesbitt & Eilidh MacDougal
- NDP 3 Women’s Group – Ebony Young, Amelia Harrison & Ella Rodgerson
- NDP 4 Women’s Group – Emily Dodd, Emily Gill & Keira Redford
- IDP Women’s Group – Kaira Farrier, Ariana Dubov & Frankie Ryman
- NDP 3 Men’s Pair – Aaron Greally & Jake Palmer
- NDP 4 Men’s Pair – Jason Archer & Joshua Ashton
Last year at the same event, four partnerships qualifyied for the Final of the national competition with Deerness Gymnastics Academy eventually winning Gold in the Grade 6 Women’s Pair category.
Deerness Gymnastics Academy in Ushaw Moor is a high-performance centre for British Gymnastics. It has a strong history in acrobatic gymnastics and is developing the gymnastic discipline of tumbling at the club with Coach Glen Wharton.
“Yet again our gymnasts did themselves, their parents and the club proud at the regional qualifiers and we are really looking forward to the national championships,” said Katie Lawton, acrobatics coach, Deerness Gymnastics Academy.
“Here at Deerness Gymnastics Academy we have a strong history as a competitive club and our young gymnasts have been working so hard to prepare for competition, and gaining the confidence and skills that participating in competitive events brings so it’s great to see their hard work and commitment resulting in success, which will hopefully inspire and encourage more people to get involved with the club.”
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.