June 2008 news part 4

The new web site is in progress. I have arranged it so that the new site is live whilst I build it, but the old site will remain active until I switch them over. The new site has a totally new look, but is much easier to keep up to date and eventually will have much more information for you all. Once it is up and running, gymnasts from the club will need an individual log in to see the galleries and chat room, but they will be much more secure. For a sneak preview of the new site, go to www.redcargymclub.org.uk/index.php, but don't expect it all to work yet.

June 2008 news part 3

Report from Novice and Intermediate Competition June 15th 2008

Once again this competition was to be a delight, so many medals and two individual trophies all to Redcar.
the under 9 Novice Team was: Lauren Hearfield (99), Emily Hodgson (99), Milly Kennedy (2000), Shannon Thompson (00) and Tilly Jones (00). The under 9`s were up against some very talented gymnasts; we had wondered who would be entered from other clubs and what Redcar Gym Club youngsters would look like against the opposition. They tried so hard, but a bit more effort in the gym would have increased their start scores, and their Element Group Requirements, some thought it didn’t matter! Still, the team came in at a very respectable 3rd place with all in the top ten. LAUREN HEARFIELD coming 2nd overall, with an overall score of 46.70 well past the 42 qualifying score.
We didn’t have a team in the Senior Novice, but that didn’t stop Leanne Smith from trying hard, some new skills for you Leanne, and I'm very pleased to say NORTH OF ENGLAND SENIOR NOVICE CHAMPION with a score of 41.55, well done Oldie,!!! Xx
Next up were the Intermediates, Lauren Flood, Sam Roe and Tyla Earl, all under eleven although Tyla competing a year younger. They looked lovely in the warm up. Bars went well, though unfortunately only Tyla managed to stay on beam, but floors were great. Lauren's Nerves were getting the better of her, silly billy Lauren!!. But the team combined managed to come home in second place. Well done against some very talented opposition. Xx Tyla Earl finished in 4th position overall with a huge score of 44.60; she cannot repeat and has qualified out.
Also in the second round Caroline Hall, plagued by injuries in the last year, probably growing Carrot. But you managed to keep your skills going, and went completely clean standing up a massive Tzukahara Piked, and a CLEAN beam, amazing; I was so pleased for you, I jumped on you. I hope I didn’t squash you, he he. Caroline finished in 1st Position with a score of 46.45, well above the pass score. and retains the Trophy for a second Year.
To sum up, a great day, an electric competition and many more entries. It was nice to see some older girls competing, but as a club we need to train harder, well some do! But nice to see all the girls who went receive a medal. Well done Redcar Gym Club, just one complaint - we couldn’t hear the Redcar Gym Club supporters.
Diane.

June 2008 news part 2

Report from Apparatus Competition May 28th 2008

This competition was to see the biggest turn out of Redcar Gym Club children in many a year, some 35 gymnasts in total, girls and boys, all very impressed with the Pink Gym.
The competition level girls were first up with some of the boys; as they marched on I felt very proud of them all in blue, smiling and standing like gymnasts. The routines went well; some work on beam wouldn’t go amiss with many falls, and spectacular floor routines from Emily Richardson and Tom Pollard. The Gymnasts from Redcar Gym Club were well prepared by the coaches who have worked so hard to produce these 35 gymnasts; no easy task. Loads of medals (see results page) for Redcar Gym Club in the competition section, Well done!
The next section was the club section, children who haven’t as much competitive experience are entered into this section, and it takes into the account that they can use the old style vaulting horse. The children were happy to do the job they had gone for. Nice to see Abbie Thompson flicking again. Well done Abbie. Many medal winners here too.
The next section was the recreational section for children who don’t do so many hours of training and are just starting on the ladder; it is a good introduction level. A whole host of shimmering blue leotards marched on with heads high, how proud I am of these girls. You all had fun and competed like you have done it for years!!! Congratulations to you all.
Thanks to all the Redcar Gym Club coaches, mums and dads who supported us. The extra Friday night sessions will see a massive impact on this group, and I hope we have some good gym to come, keep working for the club grades. Well done,
Diane x

Well done to everyone who was at Benfield for Novice and Intermediate yesterday. It was another great day for the club. A report will follow soon as will the scores, but some pictures are now on the gallery.

June 2008 news

Report from Challenge Cup Competition June 7th and 8th 2008

Vicky Fowler, Melissa Cook, and Lottie Hoggarth; all Espoirs. Once again the girls had a good pre competition run, with only some minor adjustments to make. They had been on good form for weeks and worked very hard in the gym often attending more sessions and putting up with “that’s not right" again and again and again, tens of every move on beam and a whole host of Nagging. But we made it, we traveled to Gloucester on the Friday day and had a really good but very long journey down. The Travel Inn was as comfortable as usual, with good and not over priced food. So that was great, with full tummies we retired to bed.
The girls looked great at the competition. Stunning new kit, and smart hair with tracksuits to die for, they were so sparkly. We completed the warm up round. Things looked good, Vicky messed her vault run up and didn't complete too many warm ups, this showed when she impressively landed on her bottom in the competition part, but hey, Vicky, you saved yourself on bars with a lovely bar routine including the Shoot Half you only worked on the Wednesday before the competition. How many children can say that? I'm so proud of you; beam you stayed on clean and so tight; floor amazing - why don’t I see dance like that all the time? Well done Vickyxx
Melissa well; wow girl, that cheeky look on floor. I know you had a hard time competing, and your groin strain held you up, but the paracetamol and Ibroprofen got you through it!! A lovely vault and floor routine, with some nice moves on beam, smiling and happy to have finished that competition off. Amazing Melissa, from all the 96 Birthdays we had, you are the one who MADE IT!!, im very proud of you, xx
Lottie you are so good, a smile in your floor and a happy grin, don’t be hard on yourself. Wow what a massive vault, 12.30 wow Lottie, I loved the beam change leg. It was, amazing, huge, I’m proud you got there; and you Flicked on Beam, yes you did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In truth girls you are are all amazing, you all tried; you worked hard before the competition for months, you all had new skills, you looked good, you competed confidently and you were impeccably behaved when we were away.
Special thanks to RGC coaches and Nic and Rach from South Durham for all the help,

A very Proud Diane x

Good luck to everyone going up to Novice and Intermediate this weekend at Benfield. Remember we have our sponsored walk on 6th July, sponsor forms and sign up sheet are in the lobby of the gym. Look out for a completely new web site coming soon. This site may need to shut down for a day or so and then the new site will replace it.

May 2008 news - part 3

Good luck to everyone in the general competition this weekend - we hope you enjoy the day. The photos are now on the gallery fom the social night and badge presentation on 17th May. Feedback from this has been really good - everyone seems to have had a great night. Remember we will have another night on 6th September with more badge presentations and entertainment of some sort.

May 2008 news - part 2

Another delayed report, with the results on the results page and some pictures on the gallery.

Report from NDP Tumbling Competition March 1st and 2nd 2008

The NDP Tumbling Competition took place at Temple Park Leisure Centre in South Shields on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd March. This was our first event since setting up our dedicated tumbling team. It was to be a long weekend with early starts for both days.
We took both boys and girls, including our previously retired senior girls – Samantha Smith and Rachel Smith. Some of the boys were fresh from winning Sport for All so had high hopes with this competition too.
Saturday was the “Prep grades” and we had boys in prep “A” and “B” sections; unfortunately we had last minute withdrawals due to sickness, but things got off to a good start as all our boys qualified for the final tumbles in their sections. Fantastic results as we had Richard Barras Gold medal and Richard Hirschinger bronze medal, with Sami Raif 5th in prep “A”. Well done boys. Prep “B” was a little harder but Alex Rogers qualified for his final tumble too; no medal, but well done Alex as I know you found the runs hard to remember.
Poor mums; on Sunday we had a very early start with warm up at 8am. This was the National Development Plan grades, with the winners in each section qualifying for the National Finals in May.
First off were Sammy Roe and Emily Richardson in national 1, both novices to tumbling. Both had stiff opposition with twice as many entries as last year. Well done to both of you, 5th place Emily in 12- 14 yrs and 4th place Sammy in U12.
Then came the first of our boys for the day, Bradley Behrens in national 1 12-14 yrs; his tumbling was fabulous and such an improvement, he came 2nd, silver medal, just missing national finals by 0.3, so close!!
Next was Tom Pollard in national 2 12 – 14 yrs, with some more excellent tumbling again. Congratulations Tom winning and qualifying for national finals in May.
Last came our “senior” girls back from retirement. Rachel forgot her final run but Sam was unlucky to miss out on a medal.
Well done to all of you; now the hard work begins with lots of conditioning and preps for more moves. Let’s aim for more medals next year. Good luck Tom for the National Finals in May, please keep working to do us ALL proud.
Thanks to Diane Smith for helping with the “crowd control” Sunday.

Happy coaches Chris and Brendan

May 2008 news

First of all, my apologies for leaving the web site without updates for so long. Unfortunately, sometimes work of the paid kind needs to come first. However, over the next week or so I will update the site with everything that has been waiting; competition reports, photos, results and more. To start with here is the first report:

Report from British Gymnastics Club Grades 4,3,2,1. 2nd March 2008

As usual, sleeping was the last thing on my mind the night before. Grades are so complex; were we doing the same as everyone else, did the girls have the correct skills with the correct techniques? Well, on arrival at the competition it did look like we had. There is always a question over leaps, and these are certainly the stumbling block for us; we need more work here.
First round saw Tyla Earl (98), competing in Grade 4 in age; poor Tyla - no team. Tyla; you sailed around the competition, quietly watching and keeping your nerve. I think Sue and I were much more stressed, especially when you came out with over 12.00 on bars, oh dear! Sue and I looked at each other. Gosh, you were suddenly in the running, with baited breath and all the work you had put in over the last year you were finally placed 5th and reserve for NATIONAL FINALS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow.!!! Your new floor, thanks to Gemma, paid off and the judges loved it.
Second round saw Rhianna compete, and once again we looked at some real competition here, but another good bars score and we thought hey; she might be able to do this. A most amazing floor Routine Rhi! I cant ever remember the day when I saw you do so well at floor, and it was another new floor. Guess what; Rhianna is also North of England 5th place, amazing Rhianna.
Next were the only team of the day; Melissa, Leah-Mae, and Lottie for Grade 2, and Caroline in Grade 1. All your skills were fantastic, all of you tried hard. Carrot that straight front went well,and noooooooooooooooo more grades; yippee! Sorry Grade 2s, you have grade 1 to complete first. Lol. Well done to everyone, especially well done to Lottie who had only 3 days to train for that grade due to injury, and still passed.
I am disappointed, however, that we had no teams because some just didn’t want to work in the gym. It just shows that if you worked all the time, like these children above, anything can be achieved.

A great result, RGC, you made me very proud.

Diane x

During the time we have had no web news, we have been given provisional go - ahead with the land for our new gym project at Rye Hills school. There are plans on display in the gym, and we are now looking towards planning permission and fundraising so any help we can get will be greatly appreciated - please see Steve if you can help. I hope everyone enjoyed the social evening and badge presentation last Saturday. Well done to all the gymnasts who got badges awarded, I will put some pictures on the gallery shortly. Thanks to the parents of the Friends group for the night and the food, and to Carol Barwick for the quiz and games. We raised about £350 towards the new gym fund. The next night is in early September. Also, remember the sponsored walk coming up on Sunday 6th July around Errington woods. Sponsor forms will be in gym soon.

February 2008 news

Report from Sport For All February 3rd 2008

I love this competition, it is always the start of the New Year for us and we have had good success in past years. Last year, RGC won the team trophy and individual medals, would this year be kind to us?
The girls and boys had all practiced being smart and walking great; their vaults and floor routines were polished. All the girls except Emily C (98) were 2000 birthdays and the boys were very inexperienced, some just having been in gym for such a short time. We went early so the gymnasts could see the other competitors and adjust themselves to the surroundings. This was the first competition for all of them, but they looked quite at ease.
We all started on vault, boys and girls together. The vaults went well with Emily Cooney producing a massive vault to be the 2nd highest scorer of the day,(10.00). Chloe tried to run through it on her second attempt, but her first one had been great so no worries. Peter Crawford, the judge, asked her if she had said sorry to the vault; oh Peter! Sam Raif produced a fab vault, with everyone else competing and stretching to perfection.
Floor was next, with some great skills. I`m so glad to see that all the conditioning and leg work has paid off; You are all so neat. Lovely smiles from Tilly and wiggles, I don’t think I have ever seen that floor done so lovely with 2nd highest on floor (9.95). Austin Powers should come and watch you he he!!, you can certainly dance.
Shannon, what amazing legs you have; sooooo straight and a lovely big leap. Chloe, you remembered and were so tight, well done. Emily, you raced through your routine, he he, did you want it over? Milly what a star, so neat and so meticulous, and big smiles; it went so well.
RGC boys were next, neat and tight, and such a lovely bunch of gigglers and smilers you all are, cheering each other on. Great results children.

RGC under 10 girls team, 1st Place   Score: (78.00)
RGC under 10 Boys team 1st Place   Score: (69.55)

1st Individual under 10 boy, Sam Raif!!
4th Individual Under 10 boy, Alex Smith (17.55)
5th Individual Under 10 boy, Brandon Keenedy (17.20)
6th Individual Under 10 boy, Daniel Yoeman (16.40)

2nd Individual girl Shannon Thompson (19.50)
3rd and Joint Individual girl Chloe Robinson and Tilly Jones (19.40)
4th Individual girl Milly Kennedy (19.15)
5th Individual girl Emily Cooney (19.10)

I am so proud of you all, but most of all I'm proud that you supported each other. You were proud to be RGC members and you certainly sparkled and shone, you all made your first competition; grades next then who knows?
Diane xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Congratulations to all the other teams, to Alicia Patten from Biddick; 1st Individual under 10, also to Hartlepool for winning the most well presented Team award.

January 2008 news

Happy New Year, everyone, and welcome back to Redcar Gym Club for what we hope will be a brilliant year in all sorts of ways. First of all, thanks so much to everyone involved with the Reach For Gymnastics day held on Friday 4th January. The idea was to demonstrate the skills of our gymnasts and to show why we need a new building. The display was absolutely brilliant, and our invited guests were all thoroughly wowed! As you know, the first stage is to get provisional approval for our proposed site, and we hope the council will make a formal decision on this within the month. The councillors and council officers present all expressed their support, and so we really hope for a positive decision. You may have seen the article in the Gazette on Monday, which we hope will also generate some support. We have already been doing a fair bit behind the scenes, and the image here shows you how the new building should look. If we get the go ahead on the site, we hope to be ready with detailed designs by the summer and to be looking for full funding support. Then we will need the full support of eveyone in the club to raise funds and help out.

General Impression of the new gymnastics centre

Our architects, Roger and Guy Hansom, have brought together a project team who are currently working on the detailed designs and costs. The architects have been doing great work for us and have produced some brilliant animations of how the gym will look, and even images of the building in place on our preferred site. If you would like to see these, please come along to the parents meetinbg on Friday 18th January at 6pm in gym. This is also your chance to help decide on how the gym runs over the next year and how you could help us achieve our aims.

Below is a report from the Challenge Cup held in november last year. Sorry it is late, but it got lost in cyber space temporarily!

Report from Challenge Cup. 24th and 25th November 2007

What a fantastic Competition, Vicky Fowler, Lottie Hoggarth, Dana Murray and Rebecca Boal competed in the Espoir Section. Stunning gymnastics from all and some very high level scores. As a coach I have never been so proud; these girls sailed around the apparatus, looking smart and at ease.
First came beam; wow girls, you looked great with massive leaps from Dana, who with her tuck produced a clean routine to score well. She was followed by Rebecca and then Lottie; all clean and clear with no falls. Vicky had a good time on beam, unfortunately falling, but it was full of difficulty and some new skills. She still produced a high score.
Next was floor; the girls had competed the week before and it had given them added confidence. Clean, skilled routines and safe firm landings all had a great competition here.
Vault was next, massive huge tzuks from Dana and Lottie to get them in the 12 score zone with massive and clean landings. Vicky performed half half with a huge score of 11.30, followed by Rebecca with a lovely half full; I'm impressed girls.
Bars was interesting; they needed 7 moves, and since sole circles are not counted unless they have straight legs, lots were loosing the 5 mark penalty. Vicky and Lottie and Dana were included in this, so not so good on bars although in gym we have been targeting beam so I think bars will have to be sorted now. Rebecca was 9th on bars overall. I think I will call her the queen of bars, but even she needs some new skills.
The girls were happy competitors, showing the great respect they have for their sport. They showed how hard they can work and what they have achieved this year and they smiled all the way around. Vicky, you have tried hard to achieve this year and competed a lot of new moves; Lottie you have come back from injury like you never had one; Dana, thank goodness you are at RGC what a truly lovely young lady you are, smiling and always happy. Becky, you have no idea just how good you could be, and how good you are; if you had Tzuked you would have qualified for British Championships. How well you have done!
It was also lovely to see friends from other clubs support each other, and thanks to Kate, Zaylee, Steph and South Durham for their best wishes and hugs before we started. I can’t think of anything else to say, except thank you to all the travel buddies, thank you to all the Coaches of RGC for producing these fine gymnasts and thank you to the girls for working so hard, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diane x

December 2007 news

We hope everyone had a great Christmas, and you are looking forward to a good New Year. Please remember we have the annual parents meeting on 18th January at 6 pm in gym. We will have the final designs for the new gym to show you.
For those in the open day display on 4th January, remember your practice tomorrow.
The results from the Denis Hamer competition are now on the results page, and the calendar now has most of next year's dates on it. There are pictures from the competition and from the Christmas party on the gallery. See you in 2008.
Steve Hall.

November 2007 news part 2

Report from Pre-Elite Competition, Sunday 18th November 2007

This competition was going to be very interesting with a lot of new moves. How would they all score? How did they all feel competing new moves? Could they handle the stress?
This competition is run on rules that some cannot meet the criteria for; the only modified section of this competition is the Bars, and this with a penalty of 5 full marks for not having enough moves. The Region had decided to implement a procedure that the children would only loose 1 full mark for not having the required amount on bars only. This was actually the best thing and I'm glad of that, the little ones find it hard to reach 5 counting elements on bars.
We had 3 teams out, Under 9, Under 11 and Under 13, with no seniors this year. First up were the Under 9; I had explained that this was an experience competition and I just wanted them to gain competition awareness and procedures. Tyla, Jodie and Lauren were the only RGC children who had the required skills and had worked really hard throughout the summer. All competed new skills, and the work the coaches at RGC had done with them certainly showed. Lauren, your floor was amazing and I'm so pleased with Tyla - Flic on Beam and long tumbles on Floor. Jodie, you did magnificently after such a long time out in the summer you competed so well; taking it all in your stride, well done U9.
Next the U13 section; a talented bunch here!!! A lot of new skills in this Section, Dana tuck on Beam - fab, Beccs double twist, and handstand top turn on bars, lovely floor routine, and our Monkey Vicky. What ever can I say, one and half twist floor, amazing bars as always; Lottie a massive Tzuk, and lovely beam, you had lots of new skills as well with a forward sole circle. Double back in the next competition eh!! the most impressive result RGC team 1st and Dana 2nd, Rebecca 3rd a great confidence boost for Challenge Cup this weekend.
Under 11 were in the next round and oh my gosh! what a fantastic bunch these are. Melissa, Rhianna, Leah- Mae and Emily Richardson, what a fab team you were. We asked you to have a go at your one half twists, Leah Mae and Rhi, you did and oh, didn’t you land it. Leah-Mae, you did your Flic to one, Flic to two, Gainer Flic and roundoff tuck dismount on beam. Melissa, I wish all gymnasts were as good; you altered your floor routine in the warm up of the competition, and did your front somi flic tuck, amazing, also competing flic to one and flic to two, who would have guessed you would get this but you have worked so hard; see anything is possible. I wish you had more confidence in yourself as I have in you. Emily R, what fantastic floor and you only had one fall on beam; that was your target and you did it. Sue and I were shouting so loudly for you all, we forgot we were at a competition. Well done to you all, Team bronze.
To say I have been so impressed this competition girls, you have worked so hard on beam and improved your start values; worked and worked at neatness, and we have had tears and joy and that’s only me!! lol but you have ALL worked fantastically; well done!!!!!

Diane (Very proud coach)

Thank you very much to the B O Davies Trust, who have granted us funds to provide a chilled water dispenser for the gym. This will be a real advantage during the warm months, though they seem a long way away today! Please note the Christmas party tickets are on sale - see any of the coaches, Fiona Peggs, Bridget Thompson, or Steve Hall.
Good luck to those on their way to Challenge Cup this weekend.

November 2007 news

Report from Deerness Tumbling Competition, Sunday 11th November 2007

This was a friendly competition and the atmosphere was fantastic; the boys, Tom Pollard, Lee Round, Joseph Stonehouse and Shane Yeoman, were all excited and couldn’t wait to get started!
This Tumbling Competition was a first for some of the boys. First up were Tom and Lee. Tom was competing National 2 for the second time, which is quite a hard level. This level combines backwards and forward tumbling. First tumble did not go quite as planned due to a lack of control but in true style he pulled it back in the next two runs. Tom finished in 1st place!! WELL DONE TOM!!
Lee was competing age 7-8 Prepatory B and performed neatly and tidily. Lee did Redcar Gym Club proud and Lee made Brendan a VERY proud coach and also finished in 1st PLACE!!. See straight legs and pointed toes DO make a difference!! WOW!!
Joseph was next competing in 10 and under Prepatory B. He produced some lovely tumbles, impressing the judges with his neat and tidiness producing scores of 9.00 and very high 8’s. 1st PLACE!! WELL DONE!!
Then we get to Shane, competing for Redcar Gymnastics Club for the very first time, and he took this all in his stride! He was competing in Prepatory C aged 10 and under. Fantastic tumbles and great flic – nice and long (not at all like it is in the Gym!) See you can do it! Great result with yet another 1st PLACE AND in your 1st competition WOW!
WELL DONE TO ALL THE BOYS – YOU HAVE MADE ME AND RGC VERY PROUD – YOU ARE ASSETS TO THE CLUB.

October 2007 news

Report from Partner Challenge, South Durham Gymnastics, 21st October 2007

This is always a well supported event, with children in pairs and trios, the aim is to make the competition fun and rewarding for everyone taking part. We had to pair the gymnasts up to make sure that they matched as best we could on age and ability, a hard task as some have more experience or are older and haven’t the skills yet.
Still, everyone seemed to be working to a high standard with all the pairs happy and gaining confidence working together. We went along to the pink gym; it is absolutely lovely and the girls were thrilled with the pink mats and the parents and coaches who hadn’t been before were in awe. Hopefully the venue has made them see that we need our new building sooner rather than later.
The girls provided us with some neat and tight gymnastics, and some great skills. It is also hard to remember to watch your partner so you are in time together, but everyone did so well.
Im so very proud of everyone, and the medal successes (see results page), a special mention I think to Kate Bennett, Kate Long, Sophie Gilmour and Hester Teasdale it was their first comp with RGC, they were wondering what all the fuss was about, getting hair done and the great team spirit!! We have before such an event the usual hair dressing to make everyone feel special. Thanks to the ladies who do this! You did very well girls, we are proud to have you competing for RGC.
Well done everyone, the next one for most of you is the Dennis Hamer (Club Competition) on 8th December please get your entries in. For some Pre Elite, 18th November at Benfield or Challenge Cup in Aldershot on 24/25th November.

Well done to everyone , xxx Diane

We are doing OK with the EVENING GAZETTE Wish campaign and the TESCO sports equipment for schools scheme, but we need you to continue collecting. The more tokens the more money. Big thanks, if a bit delayed, to Fiona Peggs who has raised around £400 from the Great North Run. We are beginning to make progress towards the new gym building, so we need to raise as much money as we can. Remember we are stopping the sale of tuck from the end of this month.

September 2007 news - part 4

The club has now registered for the TESCO sports equipment for schools scheme. Vouchers are awarded in TESCO stores from now until 4th November. The more vouchers we can collect, the more equipment we can order. Even small numbers of vouchers are useful, as we can get new skipping ropes or balls for less than 100 vouchers. Ask your friends and family if they shop in tesco as well. We can provide you with advertising posters if you need them - ask Steve or Barbara or download them from the web site at Sports for Schools and Clubs downloads. We have put a collecting box in the entrance to the gym for any vouchers you can collect.
We have also applied for the EVENING GAZETTE Wish campaign. The Gazette has £25,000 to distribute amongst charities and not for profit groups in the area. Every group who register will get a share of the money, but the amount depends on collecting tokens which will appear in the Gazette starting on the 1st October. Again, please talk to friends and family, collect as many vouchers as possible and bring them into the gym. We will put a box in the entrance to collect the tokens. In this case we will be writing to the schools attended by our gymnasts to ask them to help. (Schools are not allowed to enter this scheme, but they are involved in the Tesco one). We will provide posters or letters with more information soon.

September 2007 news - part 3

Alpha Factor Invitational Wiltshire School of Gymnastics 2007

We thought a Blue ribbon for the top of the cars to travel in convoy. It was a really long drive down to Wlitshire but a fairly good one, although my head is ringing with the sound of my phone. Marie ringing me asking in broad Scottish accent; “Where are you?" After the first five times, I was replying “on the road in front” but it was really funny, so I will keep asking her where she is now.
The competition is an invitational, run on the British Age Group Levels rules in and out of age. We had entered the Ariel’s Trophy which is the out of age section, Tyla Earl being the only IN age Gymnast. The competition venue was lovely and friendly with one of the best atmospheres at a competition I have been at for a while.
RGC team consisted of Rachel Smith, Samantha Smith, Vicky Fowler, Tyla Earl, Leah-Mae Thompson, Melissa Cook, Rhianna Howes, Lottie Hoggarth and Rebecca Boal. The competition rules state that you can have one child in each of the levels to be eligible for the cup, and also play a JOKER on any one piece across the different levels. Jokers would have their individual scores on that piece doubled, and our jokers were Rebecca Boal (Beam Level 2), Vicky Fowler, (Bars Level 4) and Samantha Smith (Level 3 Floor).
I can't pick any one gymnast from RGC that didn’t do their utmost best to be a great member of the team. We had the most sensational Bars from Melissa and Vicky. The most fantastic floors from Rebecca and Leah-Mae. Leah – Mae twisting for the first time, and also Tyla. Sensational Vault from Sam and a Beam that nearly stayed on from Rach. Vicky did lovely lovely bars, amazing. Rhianna the best floor routine I have ever seen you do with a massive score of 12.12, trluy amazing.
On the Saturday night we were so high. Leah-Mae had picked up 3rd highest score on Vault; we hadn’t hoped for anything being our first try and a national event. I thought it would take years to achieve, we were there solely for the experience. But it only got better, Rachel and Sam finished in 6th overall position in their groups, Sam also taking the 2nd place on Vault individually. Then we had Rebecca picking up 2nd individual on Bars and 3rd on Floor. This was followed by Vicky taking 2nd place on bars, and 5th individual, a huge achievement. We were screaming by then, but then came the icing on the cake. I hadn’t even hoped we would have a chance at he Aerials cup.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. BUT RGC were in Bronze medal place, a fantastic result. Well done girls. Xxxx All the work has been done in the gym, we just need some more work to push on with the next skills now.
The saddest moment was that it was the retirement competition for Rachel and Samantha (Smith); not sisters but great friends. It was their last competition for RGC ending 10 years of loyal service. I am so proud to have coached them both, so very pleased to have been able to see them both grow up into the most lovely young ladies, and so very grateful because they have helped me so much with my coaching over the years. For those of you in the gym now, if you turn out to be as committed and dedicated as they have to you will have achieved a great deal. I wish them both well in their chosen paths, and im sure we will see them in the gym more than often.
The other thank you for the weekend goes to Marie and Chloe who judged all day Saturday and Sunday. Thank you so much, you are true stars. A final thank you to all the spectators who came and supported the team, but you weren’t loud enough!! The girls from Wales were,this time!
Diane xx

There are some photos on the gallery (as well as some extras from the American visit) and the scores are on the results page.

September 2007 news - part 2

Thank you and very well done to Kate Bennett and her mum who raised £80 for the gym by running a tombola stall at the Cheshire home in Marske last week. A good bit of publicity for us as well! Thanks also to Hannah Peggs and her mum for raising £70 at a family wedding. Please remember as well that Fiona Peggs is running the Great North Run for the gym soon - that's real dedication. Please sponsor her and help to raise loads. All of this money will all go towards the new gym fund.

Remember, this all benefits our children, so any parent who wants to help can come along to the friends group meetings. You don't have to come to every one, but the more people who get involved the more we can do to help the gym. The meetings are publicised on this site and on the board inside the gym porch. The next meeting is Tuesday 18th at 6pm at the Claxton hotel.

Good luck to those going down to the Alpha Factor Cup this weekend. We hope all the girls have a great time and enjoy the gymnastics. Thanks also to the coaches and parents who are giving up time to take them.

Kate and the tombola stand

September 2007 news

Redcar Visit South Durhams Summer Camp 2007.

I can't remember ever being so excited! I love taking girls over to Durham, because we are always made to feel so very welcome. Normally I would only take 3 or 4, but this was a special occasion; Summer Camp, and Nicola and Rachel had invited us. Ten girls traveled by mini bus every day for five days of intense gymnastics. Tyla, Emily (H), Jessica, Hannah, Ellie, Lauren, Melissa, Vicky, Leah-Mae, Abbie (E) and Hannah were all selected for their work ethics and commitment to RGC, and the fact that they would get the most out of it. Unfortunately Caroline had been injured at an earlier time; poor carrot! We have missed you. But hopefully ready for competition soon, hope you liked your cuddly dog.
Well well girls; what a fantastic, talented, amazing group you have been this week. There have been some super special achievements, and some sensational work. I think I have imposters; you have tried Tzuks (Lauren) Giants (Lauren and Emily), Abbie and Leah –mae and Vicky have improved. Handspring Fronts for the first time, Forward Sole circles, I can't list all the moves, but you have been so good.
Hannah you won 3rd Place overall for stickers on Tuesday. Well done and you won a prize, not until you had done a handstand competition with our friend Megan, oh dear!! You tried, but Megan could stay there for hours she is so good.
Leah- Mae; on Wednesday you also got in the last few with your stickers to pick up 3rd place after a handstand competition with Dionne from Essex. Oh gosh, and Thursday saw Ellie win 3rd place overall and Hannah 2nd with Jess in 1st sticker position, wow you RGC little ones.
The girls had to learn a group floor; very intricate and very very hard for some, but the display was amazing on Thursday and even better on Friday, I like the poses at the end girls serious attitude looks. He he.
Jess, Hannah and Ellie I'm so proud of you all, oh so little and remembering all that dance. How good have you all been, with all your new moves, I'm so pleased with you our littlest gymnasts. Vicky, Leah- Mae and Tyla got the South Durham treatment on floor, learning some interesting dance for their floor routines, thanks to Nicola and Hayley and Leonni.
The bus trip home has certainly been interesting, singing and rocking to "I've had the time of my life” gosh we certainly have; don’t worry parents it hasn’t been that loud all the time (not likely).
Friday saw the last day. I just didn’t want it to end, congratulations to Leah-Mae for her twists on floor amazing, just in time for Alpha Factor. Melissa, along with Emily H, flicking on the beam and tzuks on vault with Leah-Mae Tzuk on to hard. (Jodie if you get to read this I will be watching at Alpha Factor lol). Abbie E, & Lauren turning Tzuks for the first time, and Emily H on the vault.
The icing on the cake was the presentations; HANNAH PEGGS camper of the week and EMILY HODGSON most improved. Amazing achievement girls, both win an Alpha Factor leotard voucher. MELISSA COOK won for the nicest gymnast to work with.
Thank you to all the South Durham coaches for making us feel so welcome, to Tracy from Essex for her fab personality and fun, thank you to Shona, and Sue and my buddy Marsha for traveling and most of all thank you to RGC gymnasts you are sensational and fab!!! I'm so very very proud I want to cry!

Diane x

Some photos from the Kendal visit last week are on the gallery. The 'Grass Roots Sports' article in the Evening Gazette was in last saturday.

August 2007 news part 2

Summer Camp Report 6th – 10th August 2007.

A fully booked Summer School had me wondering how we would all fit in, Oh for a new building!!! I need not have worried; precision timing from the coaches and well behaved gymnasts of all ages and the days have flown by. It was nice to welcome our friends from Hartlepool and Wales. Our girls were given gifts for attending; new gym bags as the others had seen better days. The girls from Hartlepool and Wales were given Cuddly Toys.
The tambourine was out again; the older children had been instructed that they, too, had to bang it loudly (as you get older you get embarrassed, I don’t know why). As their achievements take so long to get, we need to celebrate them.
The Monday started with a whole host of stickers given, and the first to kick summer camp off with a try at putting two of her moves together was Rhianna Howes. With Handspring Front Salto on floor, it was lovely Rhi. We have had, giants on their own from Leah-Mae, carthweels on beam from Emily Cooney, as well as 3/4 circle on bars from Milly. We have also had double backs from Melissa to land on a mat, along with Leah-Mae and Lottie. Tyla and Emily Hodgson have turned their first double backs in the pit.
Oh! what a week, we have had Tracy learning to support flics on floor, whoever said summer camp was just for Gymnasts; Well done Tracy. Rebecca Presgrave has done her first handspring vault and Louise Bond her first half spin on beam, as well as the achievements of all the girls from Hartlepool. Mia (wales) has got her cartwheel tuck off beam, Jessica Lacson managed her free cartwheel as well as Tilly and Alice and Lauren. I cant name everyone, but I'm pleased to say even if we haven’t got a new move, the shapes and effort have been huge!!! Everyone has tried so hard. Some of the summer school workers have been out; ie, those who work for summer school in the hope they will win a beanie and then they stop straight after, but all in all a very successful week and a very tiring week, and 42 children all must be very, very tired. I know the coaches are.

Overall Summer Camp winner for 2007 is ……REBECCA PRESGRAVE    Rebecca Won a New Leotard!!!!!

Group winners for 2007 are..

Group 1	Tyla Earl	Group 2	Charlie Smithson
Group 3	Mia Sexton	Group 4	Louise Bond
Group 5	Shona Wallace (HP)	Group 6	Kennedy Rooney (HP)

Sticker Winners are..
1st    Shona Wallace (Hartlepool Gym)
2nd    Rebecca Boal
3rd    Tyla Earl

Team Winners for Games. All Received a medal.
Thank you to all the Parents who donated food to feed the tired coaches, it was very much appreciated.
Diane x

A group photo from the week is on the gallery. The 'Grass Roots Sports' article in the Evening Gazette hasn't arrived yet, but keep watching, and remember we also have our friends from Kendal arriving next week, which means no evening training on Wednesday 30th August.

August 2007 news

Report from our exchange between our American friends from Clark's Gymnastics, Maryland and Redcar Gymnastics Club.

On the 27th and 28th July 2007, 22 of our friends from Clark's Gymnastics in Maryland landed safely at Durham Tees Valley Airport. After a very long flight and no delays, it was so lovely to see so many happy smiling faces new and old. They had brought the sunshine with them, and our rain disappeared.
Saturday 28th we took them from the Airport to Kirkleatham for a briefing of the weeks itinerary, and this was packed, before arriving at the gym to meet everyone. There was training in gym on most days. Trips to the Lakes, Redcar Races, Shopping and York and the Forbidden Corner, along with a Red, White and Blue Party with a disco on the Friday evening filled in the gaps. This would see them so busy the week flew past.
The Gym was a thriving, busy space; it was hard for the coaches at first to decipher the different terminology, ie Flic is Back Handspring, Kip being a Upstart on bars. So we had fun!!!
Don Clark and the American girls aged 10 – 14 soon got stuck in, and what was lovely was that it wasn’t like we had visitors but great friends in the gym. The girls chatted and swapped information, all working in mixed groups so everyone got to meet each other. Redcar Gym Friends group (Parents) organized food and lunch for the vistors and coaches each training day.
Redcar Rotary Club organised a lovely tea for everyone, and we all attended with our families which was lovely. Hopefully we will have many more exchanges from across the Atlantic in the coming years. Thank you to British Gymnastics and USAG for their permission for the exchange to take place.
A special 'thank you' to all the coaches who hosted. and coached all week, Dawn and Stuart for making the parents feel like home at the Claxton Hotel and Steve and Barbara and the Friends for their large part in making it happen. But the most thanks has to go to all the coaches and gymnasts from Clarks and Redcar for providing us with such a great atmosphere in the gym; Friends Forever! XXX
Diane x

Photos from the week are on the gallery. Watch the 'Grass Roots Sports' section of the Evening Gazette this weekend for an article about the gym, and remember we also have our friends from Kendal arriving in a couple of weeks.

July 2007 news - part 3

Well done to everyone, gymnasts and families, who came on yesterday's sponsored walk. The weather smiled on us, and we had a sunny and hot walk with a beautiful place to stop for lunch (thanks to Tockett's Mill for permitting us to lunch there). Despite the muddy spots, and the nettles, I think everyone enjoyed themselves, with no grumbling at all from even the little ones. It was nice to see people from all sections of the club, with faces both new and old. The ice creams at the end were much appreciated by all! I bet there were some sleepy people last night, and some muddy washing! Some photos are now on the gallery, and more news on how much we raised will come once the money comes in.

If you are interested in the disco on Friday 3rd August, information and a sign up list is now on the friends board just inside the porch. The gym has decided to reduce the ticket privces to £2.50 to make it easier for anyone who wishes to attend. The theme is red white and Blue, and it should be great fun.

There is also a sign up sheet for the trip to the lake district on Tuesday 31st July, prices £10 per head. Places are limited, so get your name down quickly.

July 2007 news - part 2

Details of the forthcoming events for the rest of the year are now on the events page and the calendar.

July 2007 news

Report from Apparatus Championship Redcar 24th June 2007
As usual, the hard work started on the Friday before for those who turned up to help; it was a great laugh but very hard work for the few. The gym looked spic and span to welcome the visitors from clubs across the region. The rain was bucketing down, and as usual we wondered if we would stay water tight; a couple of leaks later while everyone was competing.
First on the competition floor saw the Advanced girls U10 and 012; some had quite a lot of competition experience others just a little. I have to say this section shone. Alice Briggs, what lovely gestures in your floor, your hands and smile were beautiful. Lauren Hearfield I haven’t seen you do such a lovely vault, you can run!! Some great performances on Floor and Bars. You all looked lovely and scored some huge scores. Leanne Smith wow, where did you keep that tuck on floor hidden; it is huge!! a fantastic competition for you. I’m sorry I can’t mention everyone by name I would be here all day,but you are all stars.
Tom you are certainly a star; one of the neatest boys at the competition and you made Brendan and myself very proud. Well done.
The overall placings went to:
U10:   3rd Ind EMILY HODGSON, 2nd Ind ABBI ESPLIN, 2nd IND AMY DUNN, 1st IND SAMANTHA ROE
012:   1st IND LEANNE SMITH
U12:   1st BOYS TOM POLLARD

The next couple of rounds saw the Junior and Recreation Levels. Some very nervous children here, but equally some very neat and tidy gymnasts. Abbie Thompson what a lovely floor, and Carla Neesam a vault to be very proud of! Poor Emily Myers and Beth Calvert, we can only apologise for getting you out of bed, our fault you have been given the wrong times, but you were amazing relaxed and confident well done! AS before I can’t name everyone but you were all smart and professional well done! Results:
U10   Emily Stebbings 3rd Club Section
U12   Abbie Sullivan 2nd Club Section

Next saw the only RGC gymnast competing, Jade Taylor what a lovely smile you always have for everyone, a lovely floor routine and the biggest vault I have seen from you well done Jade. To sum up; a great day, a superb atmosphere and the icing on the cake was LEANNE SMITH PICKED UP THE TROPHY FOR THE HIGHEST OVERALL SCORE OF THE WHOLE DAY. Well done Lea Lea. What’s that I hear, New Leotard? Mobile phone, new clothes, oh yes, Diane Smith I think you should buy them all, he he!!
Thank you to everyone who helped, thank you to the New Steve (Barbaras mum) he he, and all who helped tidy up. A special message for Justine, who I think has the worst job of all; thanks Justine, you are now RGC official door staff!!!
A great day as usual, and we hoped everyone enjoyed it.
Diane x

Thanks very much to Steve Briggs again, for helping us out with transport of the tumble run to and from rye hills school yesterday. Thanks to coaches Diane, Diane, Marie, Marsha, Justine, Karen, Sue and Brendan for running the sessions. Thanks also to Sam Smith, Emily Myers, Sam Roe, Rhianna Howes and Caroline Hall for the hard work demonstrating.

Remember, the sponsored walk is coming up on Sunday. Meet at the car park at Errington Woods (top of Grew Grass Lane) at 10.00am.

June 2007 news part 2

Thanks to everyone who helped out at the Guisborough town fair last week. Special thanks to Steve Briggs for the transport, Fiona Peggs for sorting all the arrangements and to Marsha, Carol, Faye, Michelle and Mrs Earl for the hair braiding and face painting. We made about £111 and a few new contacts! Thanks also to the coaches and gymnasts for the brilliant display. It was realy impressive and got lots of good comments from the audience. There are a few photos on the gallery.
Thanks very much to Dawn and Michael Smith, Steve Briggs, Steven Lawson, Diane Richardson, Carol Barwick and Barbara and Caroline Hall for helping to re-lay the floor prior to the upcoming competition. Remember, we will need help with cleaning the gym this Friday from 9am for the competition. Good luck for all the gymnasts in the competition.

June 2007 news

Report from Novice/Intermediate 27th May 2007
First up saw the 1999 birthdays out in force, Lauren Hearfield, Rebekah Chapman, Emily Hodgson, Abbie Esplin and Alice Briggs. Looking lovely, we gave them a treat by allowing them to wear the purple leotards. They looked great, and since they have been working so hard I was pleased to see that they produced some good gymnastics.
These girls are lovely; all have a real 'want to succeed' mind and when they started competing that shone through. Floors were lovely, we do need some bigger skills here girls, but what you did was neat and tidy. Beam was great; a pity some didn’t stick, but it's hard with pressure on, and it is pressure I can assure you. Bars went well and vault was amazing; all vaulted a first for RGC for all the 8 in the year novices to vault.
A big well done to all the 99`s!! Team Bronze is amazing!! I owe a box of chocolates now to my friend because you did win those medals. Congratulations to Emily, Lauren and Rebekah who met the challenge on the day! I might add to change their beam dismounts.
A special word for Rebekah Chapman; 6th in the North at Novice Level. I can't wait to see what this year brings, well done Chatty Chapman!!
I have to say the Novices under 11 did very well; Abbie Sullivan and Lucy our Novice girls were fantastic; you sailed around, and yes Abbie did your squat on!! Well done girl.
Intermediates; what highs and lows we have had in the gym, at first we thought you couldn’t go there and then you were. Some had lost moves, others had gained them, strange the way things have gone here.
(Samantha Roe) Dolly a great competition. What a lovely floor and amazing bars!! You shone and looked lovely . Well done.
The 98 team, Vanessa Barwick, Amy Dunn, Tyla Earl and Jodie Trainor. they took overall Gold Team, a fantastic result. Well done to Jodie for trying a new move at a competition and competing it.
Caroline first Tzuks at Competition level and straight half, so a great event for you to try out the new skills. Very great result.
Caroline (Carrot), Hall is Senior Intermediate Champion !!!!!
To re cap on some things. A good result on new code, which is being changed constantly, and some good gymnastics. But I would really like to see some new skills going to competitionss. Too many are happy doing the same things they have done for years. Some have even lost skills they had and did not use them, so come on RGC; if you want to compete in these regional competitions you must work harder in the GYM!!!!
Diane xx

Results and photos are now on the site

For the latest competition results, see the results page in the gymnastics section.