GES Challenge cup 2001: National success!

Sat/Sun 23/24 November 2001

Three of our gymnasts took part at this competition held at Rushmoor Gymnastics Academy in Aldershot.

Grace Knightbridge took part in the 12/13 age group competition alongside competitors from all the country.

The competition was held over two rounds throughout the day. The competition was of a high standard and very well organised. The final scores were very close. Grace came 2nd overall to take the silver medal.

There were also individual apparatus trophies for the highest score on each piece. Grace won the Floor trophy with a score of 8.15 and won the Bar trophy with a score of 7.475 these scores were the top marks awarded during the entire competition! Grace has been pre-selected for regional squad.

On Sunday Rachel Maguire and Stacey Howe competed in the over 14 age group which was also held over two rounds and attained very good scores.

David Schadek, Coaching/Administrator

Level 4,3 and 2 Regional finals held at Ipswich

Sat/Sun 17/18 November 2001

On Saturday morning in the level 4 competition, 10 to 12 age group, Charlotte Howarth came 6th overall. In the 13 to 14 plus age group, Kimberley Crane won gold with a score of 26.35 and Layla Jeffery won bronze with 23.825.

On Saturday afternoon in the level 2 competition, 12 to 13 age group, our gymnasts scored a superb 1st and 2nd with Grace Knightbridge winning gold with a score of 29.650 and Caitlin Elliott winning silver and a score of 26.450. In the 14 plus age group, Alice Homer won the silver medal with a score of 26.975 and Stacey Howe the bronze medal with a score of 25.550. The club came away with the level 4, 13/14 age regional champion, and the level 2 12/13 age regional champion.

On Sunday 27 of our gymnasts competed in the county qualifier of the recreational apparatus competition at Basildon. In the 10-12 age group, on Bars, Jessica Hill won Silver, Emmie Cook and Annette Neto won joint Bronze and Alice Brunning reserve. On Vault, Alice Brunning reserve. On Beam, Annette Neto won Bronze, and on Floor, Jessica Hill won the Gold, with Annette Neto the Silver and Lucy Beckwith the reserve. The overall champion with the highest total score went to Alice Brunning with a score of 20.425.

In the 11/12 age group, more success, Francesca Dyer winning Gold on the Vault, Silver on the Floor and reserve on the Bars. Francesca also won the overall trophy with the highest total score of 19.575.

In the 13 plus age group saw Kerry McManus win the Silver on the Bars, and 4th on the Vault, Beam and Floor. These gymnasts will now compete in the regional final at Hemel Hempstead on the 1st of December.

Click here for the full results...

David Schadek, Coaching/Administrator

County Levels 4 + 3 Floor & Vault Championships

Sunday 7 October 2001

The morning competition saw all level 4 age groups take part.

The 13/14 plus age group saw Kimberley Crane take the gold medal and County Champion, also a highest score of 6.40 on beam. Kimberley’s training partner Layla Jeffery took joint 2nd place and silver medal, plus a highest score of 7.20 on floor. Both Kimberley and Layla go through to the regional final in November.

The 10 to 12 year old age group had the largest number of entries with 24 gymnasts. Charlotte Howarth won the silver medal and a total score of 24.95. Charlotte also joins her friends and goes through to the regional finals in November at Ipswich.

This competition was also a county apparatus qualifier to be held in December. Layla and Charlotte compete in the floor final. Kimberley and Charlotte compete in the Bars and Beam finals, and Layla in the Vault final.

In the afternoon, the County Floor and Vault competition took place. The Under 12 age group saw Jessica Hill win the silver medal in joint 2nd place with a score of 12.30. In the Over 12 age group Francesca Dyer had a fantastic day, winning the gold medal and County Championship with a score of 13.10.

Colchester School of Gymnastics is very proud to have two County Champions from this competition - well done ALL our gymnasts.

Charlotte Howarth (left) came 2nd in the level 4 10 to 12 age group, Kimberley Crane (middle) won the 13/14 + age group and is county champion, and Layla Jeffery (right) came joint 2nd. All three go through to the regional out of age championships in November.

Essex Team Championships

Sunday 30 September 2001

Colchesester School of Gymnastics hosted this event. The level 4 teams competition was the first competition of the day, with teams from all over Essex taking part.

Our level 4 team, Kimberley Crane, Layla Jeffery, Charlotte Howarth and Louise Carder had a superb competition winning the level 4-team championships for the first time in 8 years. Kimberley also achieved the highest beam score of 6.875 and the highest overall score of 25.975.

County level 4 team winners (left to right) Layla Jeffery, Charlotte Howarth, Kimberley Crane and Louise Carder

In the afternoon competition, it was the level 2 teams to compete. Our team of Grace Knightbridge, Alice Homer, Caitlin Elliott and Stacey Howe also had a superb competition winning the level 2-team championships, which we last held in 1997. Grace also achieved the highest scores on Bars of 7.05, Vault 7.95, Floor 7.75 and the highest overall score of 28.35.

County level 4 team winners (left to right) Alice Homer, Grace Knightbridge, Stacey Howe and Caitlin Elliott.

This was an excellent achievement for the club and for the gymnasts. Grace, Caitlin, and Alice have now been selected to be part of the team to represent the county, in the FIG inter county teams challenge in November, and Charlotte in the level 3 inter county teams challenge.

Click here for the full Level 2 results...

Click here for the full Level 4 results...

David Schadek, Coaching/Administrator

Colchester Boys Club 6 Piece Friendly Competition

Sunday 2 September 2001

For the first time since the building was opened in 1992 the Boy'club held a friendly competition with Bury Spectrum and South East Essex. The standard was high from all the clubs, which made it a very enjoyable day.

Colchester Boys Clubs did extremely well with 27 medal-posiitions being earned for the individual apparatus competitions.

There were three age groups Under 10, Under 12 and Over 12 with boys competing in all three groups from Colchester.

Over 12

Nathan Hales: 5 gold and 1 Silver medals and a total score of 38.300 overall position 16.

Under 12

There were 3 Colchester Gymnasts in this group:

Shaun Mason: 3 Gold and 3 Silver and winning the overall competition with a score of 50.275 overall position 1.

Joshua Maloney: 3 Gold and 2 Silver total score of 40.900 overall position 11.

Under 10

This group had the largest number of entrants and all the Colchester gymnasts did very well:

Matthew Macdonald: 2 Gold medals and a total score of 48.155 overall position 3

Mark Pennell: 1 Gold and 3 Silver medals and a total score of 46.650 overall poosition 5

Darly Mason: Total score of 41.275 overall position 9

Ashleigh Stein: Total score of 40.350 overall position 12

Joseph Volf: Total score of 39.350 overall position 14

Bury Spectrum

Sunday 1 July 2001

The boys had a good day competing this Sunday and despite a high overall standard still attained high scores and a respectable share of the medals. Well done to all the gymnasts and thank you to all the coaches and parents for their support. Wayne & Amanda Mason Men’s Club Coaches

Boys Results for the Floor and Vault competition

Age 9 Group

This was one of the largest groups in the competition and we were pleased to achieve consistently high scores which paid off with two medal positions. This was Joseph Volf's first competition and he overcame his nerves to come in 9th out of 13 in this group.

Age 10 Group

Just two Colchester Gymnasts entered this group and competition was very tight. Danny narrowly missed out on third position by just 0.025.

Age 11 Group

Two old timers entered this group but they proved they've still got it by bringing home two medals.

Bury Spectrum

Sunday 1 July 2001

Girls Results for the Floor and Vault competition

Isle of Man versus Colchester inter-gym

Saturday/Sunday 23/24 June 2001

On Friday 12 of our gymnasts travelled to the Isle of Man to compete in a hectic weekend packed with competitions.

The Saturday competition was a full FIG apparatus and all round competition, working to the new 2001 code. This meant there were medals for each apparatus and for overall placings.

Our 6 FIG gymnasts took part in various pieces of apparatus. Caitlin Elliott took part in two apparatus competitions despite still recovering from a broken finger.

Left: Dave Schadek and the girls sporting lots of medals and a union jack. Right: One of our "senior" gymnasts, Nikki Stewart, was coaxed out of retirement and seemed to enjoy showing us, and the judges, exactly how you are not supposed to land a vault!

On vault Grace Knightbridge performed her new vault for the first time in competition attaining a score of 8.30 and the gold medal and Rachel Maguire scooped the silver medal place.

Bars saw a 1-2-3 of the medals! Grace and Rachel took their second gold and silver medals with Stacey Howe taking the bronze.

Alice Homer decided to join in the gold hunt clinching the gold on the beam - her favourite piece of apparatus. Rachel had to be content with yet another silver medal.

On floor we took a second hatrick of medals with Grace and Rachel continuing their winning ways taking another gold and silver medal each leaving Alice to bag the bronze.

After awarding the medals for the individual apparatus the overall places were awarded next. Colchester took 13 of the top 15 medal positions and the top four places, an excellent performance by all the gymnasts!

1. Gold: Grace Knightbridge
2. Silver: Rachel Maguire
3. Bronze: Alice Homer
4. Stacey Howe

On Sunday the Level 4 team competitions were held. Four full teams took part. Our gymnasts were Kimberley Crane, Lauren Ott, Charlotte Howarth, Layla Jeffery, Jennifer Harris, and Louise Carder. After a morning of very tense competition it was all over - the girls had once again done the club proud and came away with a second position, and silver medals for them all. Also Kimberley achieved the highest overall score of all the gymnasts taking part.

We would like to thank Hal Volante, Clive Mason, Jayne Evett and all the parents and helpers on the Isle of Man for making this a wonderful experience for all our gymnasts.

Essex County Grades 1 and 2

Sunday 3rd June 2001

Over 120 gymnasts took part from all over Essex at this event held in Basildon. We entered 32 gymnasts, for some it was there first competition. In the morning competition the grade 1 was held. Each grade is divided into different age groups:

In the 7 to 8 age group Emily McDonald competed in her first competition and came away with a silver medal also equalling the highest vault score in grade 1 of 9.70.

In the 9 to 11 year olds Harriet Morgan had a fantastic competition achieving the highest score of the day with a 36.10 and winning a gold medal.

In the afternoon saw the grade 2 competition this was the 7 to 10 year olds. This saw a repeat of last years win for Jessica Hill in grade 1, Jessica had the highest floor score of the day with a 9.15, this with her other high scores on all the pieces gave her the gold medal. Also with a very good score of 34.20 and a Bronze medal to Jay Becky Smith.

In the 11 year olds plus came two more medals, a silver medal from Francesca Dyer and a bronze medal from Laura Parker.

Click here for the full results...
David Schadek, Coaching/Administrator

National British team finals Club Grades 3, 2 and 1

Saturday/Sunday 28/29 May 2001

Kettering Sports Village was the venue which brought together teams from all the UK regions.

Club grade 3: (Saturday morning) Grace Knightbridge, aged 11, scored the highest vault score of 9.50 and was part of the East team that won the competition - not bad for her first national final, well done Grace!

Club grade 2: (Saturday afternoon) tition was held during the afternoon. Unfortunately Rachel Maguire had to pull out days earlier with a leg injury which left the East team with no reserve but they still came through to take a super win.

Club grade 1: (Sunday) The pressure was on to match Saturday’s performance.For Kate Nunn and some of the other gymnasts this was their third year together as part of the East team competing in the club grade national finals.

The team have won club grade 3 and 2 in previous years so they were keen to make it a hat-trick. We needn't have worried as the team did it again with another fine win!

We're especially pleased for Kate because this her last competition before she actively concentrates on coaching.

David Schadek, Coaching/Administrator

Colchester versus Isle of Man inter-gym

Saturday/Sunday 15/15th April 2001

Here's a shot of the teams. Report to follow...

Click here for individual competition results...
Click here for team competition results...

Supreme success at Suffolk inter-gym Competition!

Sunday 18th March 2001

Stowmarket was the venue for the inter-club competition held on Sunday. Gymnasts from the Colchester School of Gymnastics competed in 6 different age groups, coming away with 13 medals in total. In the under 10, Alice Brunning 2nd with a silver and Shannen Russell 3rd with bronze. The under 11s had a large entry with Jessica Hill coming away with top spot the gold medal, and Jamie Colwich in third place and bronze medal. The under 12s saw another fine win from Emma Paveley with a gold medal a second place from Jenna Saiz with a silver medal. Keeping up the success in the under 14s Laura Williamson hit another win with a gold medal and Natalie Page second and a silver medal. The over 14s competition saw another repeat, Laura Parker first and a gold medal with Alice Gale 3rd and a bronze medal. Our senior members competed in the over 18s with Caroline Tierney gold, Melissa Ryan silver and Jacqui McHugh bronze.

Click here for the full results...

David Schadek, Coaching/Administrator

A Great Start To The Year!

Monday 12th March 2001

The last week has seen our gymnasts compete in The British Club grades. These grades lead to regional and national finals.

We hosted the county qualifier of club grades 6/5/4 and the top 4 places go through to the regional final.

In club grade 6, Madeleine Ward, one of our youngest competitors at the age of seven, won the 8/10 year old age group and goes through to the regional final along with Louise Carder who came third in the 11+ age group. In club grade 4 saw Layla Jeffries come 2nd and wins a place in the regional finals.

Three Of Our Gymnasts In National Finals!

Saturday 10th March 2001

At Hemel Hempstead the regional qualifier of club grade 3/2/1 was held, the top 5 places go through to the national finals being held at Kettering at the end of April. Three of our gymnasts won places in the national finals.
In club grade 3, Grace Knightbridge won her competition; she also had the highest bar score in that grade of 9.775.
In club grade 2 Rachel Maguire came 5th and goes through as the reserve. In club grade 1, Kate Nunn came third with also the highest bar score in her grade; this is Kate’s third year that she has won her way through to the national finals in the British club grades.

Bury Friendly

Sunday 4th March 2001

On Sunday 40 of our gymnasts travelled to Bury to compete in the Bury Friendly.

Boys competition

9/10 age group Danny Murphy came away with a silver medal.

10/11 age group Joshua Maloney came away with a silver medal and Shaun Mason a bronze.

Girls competition

In the 8/9 age group Shannen Russell won a bronze medal.

In the 9/10 age group Olivia Morris a bronze medal.

In the 10/11 age group Laura Whitnell 1st place and a gold medal and Jenna Saiz 3rd and a bronze medal.

In the over 18's Theresa Chiam 1st and gold, Caroline Tierney 2nd and silver, and Melissa Ryan with a 3rd and bronze medal.

David Schadek, Coaching/Administrator

County Qualifier

Sunday 4th March 2001

The Colchester School of Gymnastics hosted the county qualifier of the club grade 6 competition. The top four places were up for grabs in two age groups.

In the 8/10 year olds Madeleine Ward came 1st with a gold medal and trophy, which qualifies Madeleine for the regional final in May at Hemel Hempstead. Kerry Charlesworth narrowly missed out on the reserve place by coming 5th.

In the 11 year olds plus Louise Carder came 3rd, winning bronze, and also a place in the regional finals at Hemel Hempstead in May. Unfortunately Louise is already competing in the Schools National Final to be held in Stoke on Trent on the same day.

Click here for the full results...

David Schadek, Coaching/Administrator

Regional Recreational Apparatus Finals

Sunday 10th December 2000
Our Gymnasts travelled to Hemel Hempstead for the Regional Recreational Apparatus Finals.

The younger gymnasts, age 8 - 10 proved hard to beat on the floor, coming home with 1st place for Megan Giles and 2nd place for Laura Whitnell. On bars Megan Giles gained 5th place and Olivia Morris 15th.

In the 11 - 12 year age group, Colchester yet again came home with 1st place thanks to Laura Williamson's performance on the vault, Laura also gained 3rd place on the floor and 14th on the bars. Francesca Dyer finished 9th on the vault and Natalie Page 14th on the beam.

In the older 13+ ages Vanessa Stacey gained 7th place on the vault with only .23 between her and the top. Laura Parker competed on the beam and came in 8th place.

David Schadek, Coaching/Administrator

County FIG championship

Sunday 3rd December 2000

Three of our gymnasts travelled to South Essex for the County FIG championship. Melanie Saiz was the star of the day, taking home not only the 1st place but also the Gladys Chart Memorial Trophy for gaining the highest all round score of the day. Colchester also came home with 2nd place thanks to a good performance from Helen Durrant and 5th place from Rachel Maguire.

Due to a good all round performance these gymnastics now go through to the Apparatus finals to be held on December 17th at Colchester. Rachel Maguire and Helen Durrant will both compete in the beam final and Melanie Saiz and Helen Durrant will complete in the vault, bar and floor finals. This now means Colchester will have a total of 10 girls competing in the Apparatus Finals.

David Schadek, Coaching/Administrator

Regional Out Of Age Championships

Saturday 2nd December 2000

Gymnasts from Colchester School of Gymnastics travelled to Hemel Hempstead to compete in the Regional Out Of Age Championships.

In the morning the Level 4 gymnasts competed. Kimberley Crane went to the competition with high hopes but unfortunately, didn't manage to reach the medals.

The afternoon, Level 3 (11/12 yrs) session saw good results for Colchester. Louise Pennell gained 3rd place and scored higher on bars than the overall winner. Then in the 13/14 year competition Colchester scooped 1st place with an excellent performance by Alice Homer who finished a full two points ahead of the rest.

David Schadek, Coaching/Administrator