Bracknell

Bracknell Leisure Centre’s gymnastics club for seven-to-11 year olds has qualified for the national finals of a team competition.

The Bracknell Falcons Primary Mixed Team Gymnastics Squad train at the leisure centre three times a week in four disciplines: tumbling, trampette, vault and floor.

At the recent south of England tournament in Milton Keynes, they wowed the judges with their routines, won gold and qualified for the national finals - which are taking place in April. It is a mixed team, who is coached by Stuart Woods and Michelle Rudge and sponsored by Waitrose.

For complete beginners, recreational gymnastics takes place on various days of the week at Bracknell Leisure Centre and is aimed at children aged four-years and over. The sessions help with the basics of good body alignment, general body control and awareness; it also helps endurance, co-ordination, agility and balance.

Team gymnastics is a competitive level of gymnastics for boys and girls developing team floor displays, tumbling, trampette and vault skills. To join the squad, children must be referred by the senior coach.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure and Corporate Services, said: "I am really proud that children who train at Bracknell Leisure Centre will be representing the borough in the finals of a national gymnastics competition.

"It shows the quality of both the young gymnasts living in Bracknell Forest and the level of coaching which can be provided at the leisure centre.”

For more details on how to get started in gymnastics or in Team Gym at Bracknell Leisure Centre, call 01344 454203, or visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be

Bracknell Forest Borough Council