Penarth gymnasts triumph (From Penarth Times)

Penarth gymnasts triumph

DECEMBER has been a busy month for our local gymnastics club.

Their Welsh Champion Trampette Vaulting team and the Special Needs Display Team gave roof raising performances at the Welsh Gymnastics Centenary Gala held at the Welsh Institute of Sport.

This followed the Welsh National Championships for gymnasts with disabilities which saw a record entry of participants from south, west and east Wales. And didn't Penarth do well?

The Novice events, designed for gymnasts with profound needs who compete in Floor and Vault only, accorded a Senior Champion title to Penarth Gym Club's Kiaran Parsons, and a runner up in the Junior event to Daniel (Smiler) Smith.

The Advanced sections are for females who have mastered skills on the Floor, Vault, Bars and Beam and males on Floor Vault, Single Bar, Parallel Bars, Pommel Horse and Rings. Here the Penarth members did exceptionally well with the following results:

Primary Girls: 1st Victoria Roberts; 2nd Cleo Drewelus Primary Boys: 1st Michael Netherway Junior Girls: 1st Emma Stokes; 2nd Rebecca Netherway; 3rd Rebecca Morgan Ladies: 1st Sarah Toshack; 2nd Anna Musson Men: 2nd Gareth Lloyd

Sarah had travelled to Belfast a week previously to compete in the British Gymnastics Disabilities Championships.

Upon arrival she and her coach were informed that the event for gymnasts with learning difficulties was to be merged with the one for those with physical problems. As some of the latter suffered from such conditions as hearing impairment, there were protests from many quarters but the new categorisation stood.

None the less, Sarah rose to the occasion and still took third place and the loudest applause of the day. Well done Sarah, you are a star.

Christmas celebrations followed with a supporters party with disco and live music from Sessions, a members disco, a coaches dinner and a Gyminis Christmas party to which Santa himself came to join in the fun.

Penarth Gymnastics Club officials wish to thank all who have supported them through 2002 and look forward with hope for an equally successful 2003.