Hard work reaches fruition (From Penarth Times)

Hard work reaches fruition

PHOENIX Gymnastics, Cardiff and the Vale's newest gymnastic club, have seen the first 18 months hard work and determination to succeed reap just rewards.

Last weekend was a gymnastic marathon, starting on Friday with the five youngest competitive squad members competing for a place in the newly formed Welsh Preparation Squad. Results are eagerly awaited.

Saturday involved the older girls competing in the WAGA Female National Development Plan at grades four and two.

Phoenix gymnasts at grade four were among the very few to achieve the necessary moves, especially on bars, but three unnecessary falls each on beam, robbed them of medal positions.

Lucy Galea achieved a creditable 5th place overall, 0.1 of a mark out of medal positions, while Lia Thomas took 6th place, 0.1 behind and Megan Richards was 8th.

The field was 42 competitors.

In the grade two competition, Alice John once again showed her competitive nature, achieving 2nd place overall with Bethan Richards narrowly behind in 5th position.

Both girls will once again go on to represent Wales in the British NDP competition in Kettering during April.

Sunday saw the younger girls back at the Welsh Institute of Sport, competing at grade six level. This was a huge competition with 142 entries from all over Wales, in two sessions.

Coaches were delighted that, at the end of the morning's competition, Phoenix girls held the top six places.

The remaining gymnasts competed in the afternoon and in a tight finish the overall results were Megan Thomas 2nd place overall, Lai-Zang Fung 3rd, Katie Smith 6th, Harriet Crabtree 7th, Madelaine Galea 8th, Mikaela Wood 9th, Zoe Stevens, a new member of the club was a creditable 20th.

The weekend was polished off with a renewed sponsorship deal with the local IT provider GH Solutions worth £3,000.

Phoenix's success means ever expanding classes.

The new base at the Star Centre, Splott, is proving very successful with the expansion of both recreational and squad classes.

Meanwhile, classes across Cardiff and the Vale are thriving.

For more information on availability, contact Helen on 2070 0976 or Jennie on 2051 5200.