Triumph for gymnasts in Dorset (From Penarth Times)

Triumph for gymnasts in Dorset

Triumph for gymnasts in Dorset

A SMALL group of Penarth Gym Club special needs children have returned from Poole with huge smiles and a goodly number of medals after competing in the annual London and Southern Counties Open Championships.

For two of the youngsters, brother and sister Rebecca and Michael Netherway, it was a first venture outside Wales and something of a daunting prospect but they did incredibly well with Michael being awarded 3rd place on parallel bars and Becky 3rd on floor.

In this large field the 4th place on vault went to Kiaran Parsons, who has overcome profound difficulties to reach his present standard.

Kiaran, Michael and Rebecca are all pupils at Ysgol Maes Dyfan, Barry.

Fourteen-year-old Emma Stokes, a St Cyres schoolgirl, is now almost a veteran at her chosen sport and displayed supreme precision throughout the day which earned her the victors crown overall as well as the gold medal spot for floor, vault and beam . The coaches who travelled with the team, Jeff Savory, Martin Vick and Jessica Thain were delighted with the success of their charges and the hospitality extended to them.