Triumphant year for gym (From Penarth Times)

Triumphant year for gym

2004 ENDS with a bang for Penarth Gym Club. The members with special needs took part in the Welsh National Championships at the Welsh Institute of Sport.

Christopher Bleay was awarded a Welsh title and a silver cup in the Junior Boys Novice section with Daniel Smith second with only 0.1 to separate them.

Rebecca Netherway took the Junior Girls' crown to which Victoria Robbins was runner up. Rebecca's young brother Michael equalled his sister's status by winning the Junior Boys' event. James Savoury reclaimed his Senior Men's title despite now residing in an Oswestry college and having less training opportunities.

New to Senior class, Penarth's Gareth Lloyd gave James a fairly close run for his money by taking second place just ahead of a strong contender from Haverfordwest. Kiaran Parsons, who was taking his first foray into both Advanced and Senior classification, did extremely well to be placed fourth.

The Senior Ladies event gave a clean sweep to Penarth. Sarah Toshack mounted the top of the rostrum, Emma Stokes was in Silver position and joint third places were shared by Anna Musson and Rebecca Morgan. Ruth Honeysett, who was recently released from hospital after a serious illness, paced herself cautiously, but was given a special award for excellence on the asymmetric bars. The band of coaches who train these special gymnasts were immensely proud of the work produced - despite the many and varied disabilities - by all their gymnasts.

Just prior to the above event the mainstream girls competed in their last contest of the year. It was for young novices. Eleven little ones in the eight and nine years championship proudly represented their club and their town. Each and every one of them gained the admiration of the audience with their style and vivacity. The applause they received demonstrated that. There were 135 entrants from all parts of the Principality and so competition was fierce. The girls were: Natalie Gill, Bethan Yapp, Kaylea Goddard, Nia O'Loughlin, Francesca Urbano, Laura Rodwell, Aimee Smith, Tnetis Drewelus, Rebecca Bunutto, Florence Robinson and Emily Powell.

They began in the first group of the day - not the best draw, but they looked wonderful on every event. Those with beginners' nerves soon got them under control and all worked like veterans.

The first team gained fifth place in 29 team entries. This being only 1.13 outside the medal frame. Natalie took the silver medal on asymmetric bars and seventh individual overall. Bethan and Natalie tied for fourth position on set vault and Bethan scored highly to be sixth on beam.