SUMMER CLASSIC July 4th 2010 at South Durham Gymnastics Club

The inspiration for this competition came from our great relationship with South Durham Gymnastics. The idea was to bring both clubs together and have a Floor and Vault competition that all the girls could enter. This was not open to Elite girls, only our General Squad and Floor and Vault Squad competed. As you can see on the gallery there were lots and lots of medals and trophies, and amazing t-shirts! Cathy Osbourne organised the competition, making me feel slightly guilty not been able to help, but the competition will be at Redcar next year, so that will be my time to stress, ha ha.

The girls loved the venue, and between the clubs we had 100 gymnasts, wow, where on earth did they come from?

Abbie Sullivan was performing her very new floor routine and picked up an amazing floor award, her floor was lovely. All the little 2003 birthdays had a great time at their first competition.

The coaches were buzzing and all the reports were that the competition was a huge, huge success! Gorgeous trophies were given to the winners, with places from 6^th up over and lovely teddies for nice floors.  With happy faces throughout!

Thanks to South Durham for their excellent organisational skills and making this inaugural event a memorable competition for all.

This was also a sad affair, as Dana Murray (Elite), who represented GB in the Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2009, has hung up her competition leotard. She has trained for ten years with Redcar Gym Club and we have seen her grow up before our very eyes! Dana is still at present keeping fit in the gym, but won’t be competing again for Redcar Gym Club; thank you for all the years Dana. XXXX

Report from Manchester Open 19th and 20th June 2010

The Atmosphere in the Gym was electric the week before the competition; partly because the girls are out on voluntary skills, and partly because they can all go as there is a level for everyone! The hosts of the competition are so friendly and the competition runs so smoothly, with happy gymnasts and Coaches from all the clubs. The parents really get behind the team and support is loud from everyone.

All the Redcar Gym Club girls looked spectacular; the kit is amazing and always looks lovely, we forget how lovely it is until we see them all out in it. Sparkling!!

This year, we took nearly all the Elite Squad; some had some new skills and some had some new floor routines very different to the floors we normally have. Thanks to Tanya for all her hard work and her text tips for each of the girls on the morning of the competition; a very dedicated Choreographer.

Tyla's new floor was amazing. Very, very, different to Gold by Spandau Ballet, it had some very different dance in, the judges liked it, it was different, and also Lauren with her new floor; both only lost 0.30 on artistry which is very acceptable. Tyla and Lauren had a great competition, Lauren picking gold on vault and 3^rd on beam, well done girls.

Tilly shone around the floor, and did a lovely beam with her newly found connections. Kate looked proud on floor she always has such great presence and managed her long tumble. Chloe R bounced around, we will be glad to see her with a new floor but her tumble was amazing!! Chloe J, looked confident and is such a cutie smiling all the way through to finish in 3^rd on bars, excellent Chloe J. Vicky looked her usual confident self, but must pull her leo down even when it doesn’t move; a fantastic vault put her in 2^nd overall, and the new floor is soooooo much better, hands were good too! Mae looked stunning, and proudly picked up a 3^rd on beam, well done.  Hannah, as always a true competitor, tried so hard all the way around; you competed your giants! Fabulous, leotard for you, and a whole new floor as well. Macy, wow! what a little devil you are! 7^th overall, clean and neat, connections in, umm! I thought you couldn’t do them? Fantastic twist, Jessie, again giants, wow! and also gold on the day on beam! Hey Beam Queen; you looked so surprised, maybe now you will believe!!

A fabulous result for Redcar Gym Club, thanks to all the coaches and judges, who worked so hard before and at the competition, thanks to the best supporters!, but I'm still not sure if you are loud enough.

Celebrations, Fundraising and Distinguished Visitors

What a month!  In amidst the whirl of competitions and successes we have also had other good news.  We heard this month that Marie McCleod, opne of our most popular and long serving coaches, has been awarded a national award for services to gymnastics.  With typical modesty, Marie won't talk about the award, but we would all like to give her our congratulations on this well deserved award.

England Week!

Redcar Girls and Boys had to come to Gym during the week 15^th – 20^th June, dressed in as much red and white they could. The Gymnasts all had to pay 50p to dress up, and if the parents forgot they had to pay a £1 and do a forfeit, we had many a parent diving into the pit, or doing press ups!! As you can see by the photographs everyone got into the spirit; it was an excellent week, we had fun and we raised some cash too. Thanks to all for supporting us.

Welcome to Ian Swales

All the Elite girls were surprised and pleased to welcome Ian Swales, our new MP, on a visit to gym last Saturday.  Ian came along at our invitation to see the work the club does with young people in the Redcar and Cleveland area and to talk about our hopes for a new gymnastics facility in the area.  Ian watched several of the groups in training and then was treated to a demonstration of tumbling by the girls.

Novice and Intermediate 13th June 2010

This year saw Redcar Gym Club take a few first time Novices to this competition; Holly Dunn(General Squad), Emma Davies (General Squad), all competing for the first time at this event. Their team members included Kate Long, and Tilly Jones, so a pretty good team.  I’m very proud to report that this team of 11 and under`s were fantastic!!!  All sailed around with Kate, Tilly and on beam they pulled first team place. Congratulationsand well done for this.

Individually all did exceptionally well with Emma in 10^th place, Holly in 7^th place and Kate Long in 4^th place and Tilly (Elizabeth Jones) coming in first AA, with a 44.27 score to take her out of this section into Intermediate.

Well done U11, a whole 11 marks in front of the next team !!

Next saw the under 9 group, Naomi and Chloe Jones competing for the first time at Novice, wow!  Fabulous results, with Naomi in 2^nd place; only the fall on beam costing her the gold, and Chloe in 3^rd .  Well done girls.

The Intermediates and Novice 13 and under were competing in the 2^nd round of the day with Lauren Flood in Novice finishing in 4^th place; well done Lauren.

Then it was the Intermediates. Jessie and Macy went well, Macy looking lovely on floor, and standing that twist up.  Jessie competing her giants for the first time; well, I say competing, good every time in the warm up and missed the straddle shoot in the competition. Well, you did them Jessie!

Girls you had great beam and floor scores, well done to Chloe Robinson our only Intermediate (Cream Egg) not sure how she got this name!  You sailed around, a fabulous competition.  Well done Chloe; I loved the long tumble it was amazing!!!!

A very good competition, girls, everyone in the top ten, everyone looking happy and smiling.  A special thanks to all your Coaches, and especially Tanya and Carly  for their skills with your  dance.

Diane, xxxx