Two Deerness tumblers have returned home triumphant after winning Team Gold medals, and an individual bronze medal, with the Great Britain Gymnastics Tumbling Team.
Rachel Davies, age 17 from Langley Park, Durham, helped the Senior GBR Team win Gold as the senior women’s team stepped up and fought hard to take their rightful place on top of the podium also, with Lucie Colebeck, Yasmin Taite, Ashleigh Long and Rachel Davies making up the team that took the gold ahead of Russia and France. Rachel also qualified for the individual final where she went on to win the Bronze medal.
Shanice Davidson, age 15 from Washington, helped the Junior GBR Team of Megan Kealy, Kaitlin Lafferty, Aimee Antonius and Shanice Davidson win Gold, a title the Junior GBT Team have now held since 2004. Shanice also qualified for the individual final, placing fifth – the highest placed of the junior GBR tumblers.
Great Britain also became the first nation ever to win all four Gold Team titles in the European Tumbling Championships, with the Senior and Junior Teams also taking Gold.Deerness Gymnastics Academy head of tumbling, Glen Wharton, was also been selected as a Great Britain coach at the major international competition. He said:“History has been made by Team GB at these championships as no country has ever won all 4 tumbling team titles and we did today. It was great that Deerness Gymnastics Academy had Rachel Davies and Shanice Davidson on the senior and junior girls team. It was just amazing and I am so proud to have been a part of it!”
“Tumbling is going from strength to strength at both this club and at national level resulting and it’s great that Deerness Gymnastics Academy tumblers are not only being selected but for Team GB but also making the podium and winning medals at major international competitions, helping to 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.