GYMNASTS who train at Planet Gymnastics based in Cardiff did their club proud at the recent British Club Team Championships in Stoke-on-Trent.

The team of five gymnasts, which includes Sophia Strong and Mairwen Thomas, from Penarth, Sophie Strong and Eryn Griffiths from Llandough, and Megan Williams from Cardiff, have only been training in rhythmic gymnastics for 18 months, and have been competing for less than a year.

The girls took part in five events during the competition.

Eryn competed as a soloist, doing a ball routine; Eryn and Sofia competed as a rope duet; Megan, Mairwen and Sophie competed as a trio, and all five girls took part in the group rounds, competing with a hoop routine.

Although the girls didn't bring home any trophies or medals this time, they placed tenth overall in the British Club Team championships, and their coach, Emma Thompson of Dinas Powys was very pleased with their performance.

Talking about their performance coach Thompson said: "This time last year, the girls hadn't even seen what a rhythmic gymnastics competition is like, so to go from nothing at all to tenth in Britain in their first year of competition is really encouraging.

"We're looking forward to next year's competition, and have already started thinking about the new routines that we will have to do".

Becky Johnson, director of Planet Gymnastics, where the girls train said: "I am delighted with the progress of our rhythmic section only founded 18 months ago. I am so proud of the way that the girls have represented Planet Gymnastics, Penarth and Cardiff.

"Huge thanks go to rhythmic coach Emma and her team of volunteers whose hard work allows the children opportunity to compete at this level."

Planet Gymnastics is based on Penarth Road, anyone wishing to take up rhythmic gymnastics at Planet, please call 029 2034 3585 for more information.