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Home , British Gymnastics, Claudia Fragapane, Gabby Logan, Hannah Whelan, Kelly Simm, Philippe Rizzo

GYMNAST JULY/AUGUST 2014 Digital Magazine

COMMONWEALTH CATCH UP KANUKAI JACKSON AND GABBY LOGAN OPENING SHOT Reality hits Georgia Lancaster, Millie Spalding and Elise Matthews as they know they are gold medal winners at the Acrobatic World Championships in Levallois, Paris. CONTENTS WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE...

COMMONWEALTH GAMES - MEET THE TEAMS KANUKAI JACKSON Meet the teams and your schedule for the 20th 2002 Commonwealth champion 18 24

28 10 38 GABBY LOGAN ACRO WORLD CHAMPS LEE WOOLLS Former rhythmic gymnast and TV presenter GBR rule in ! A judges point of view

Let’s get social... Copyright © 2014 Published by British Gymnastics. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may follow us here be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without written permission of British Gymnastics.

Identification and naming of individual gymnasts on printed photographs is determined by the information received and therefore cannot be guaranteed for accuracy.

The views expressed by the individual contributors are not necessarily those of British Gymnastics. Equally the inclusion of advertisements in this magazine does not constitute endorsement by British Gymnastics of the products or services concerned. British Gymnastics is unable to recommend any product, guarantee that it is free of any banned substance or take any responsibility for any claims of effectiveness. Tweet Wall Ashley Watson Nick Hope Luke Strong Bryony Page

@AshWatson92 @NickHopeBBC @lukestrong2 @BryonyPage1 Hit a lamppost and nose dived For all the latest on all-things Great weekend at NDP finals! The best pair of shoes I into a wall. He’s been transferred British Gymnastics & home nations It was great to be apart of own! Thank you so so much Welcome to to Watson’s Rehabilitation Clinic ahead of the Commonwealths a great event and see some @BritishFlatShoe !!! follow @BritGymnastics great performances #britishandproud #teamgb our wall. @BritGymnastics Check out this issue’s tweets....

Elise Matthews Ellie nie MBE Dow @EliseMatthewsss @Oldham93 @elliedownie My grandad talking about @louissmith1989 Check out some training clips how he tried to take a “selfie” So weird how I’m taller than Haven’t worn this bad boy in and hear about my targets for the for his new passport picture @bdownie and there’s a 7 year a while #fitslikeaglove commonwealth’s here has to be the highlight age difference :D FOLLOW US @Glasgow2014 of my day @BritGymnastics @SkyScholarships

GYMNAST 6 GYMNAST 7 Travelling to this event? InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and British Gymnastics have teamed up to offer you fantastic discounts on hotel accommodation. Click here to explore the options. ACROBATIC

Frazer Windows & Finlay Gray (above); Charlie Tate, WORLD Lewis Watts, Conor Sawenko & Adam Upcott (below) Marlena Kroliczek and Harriet Cowperthwaite (above); By Olivia Howard Jordan Franklin & Lilyella Paul (below) Photos - Alan Edwards CHAMPS and Paul Dawson

he level of talent in Great Britain for is truly outstanding. The 2014 World Age Group Competition and World Championships in Levallois, Paris saw another Tincredible display of excellence from the GBR squad. Coming away with a total medal haul of 8 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze medals, the team continue to dominate international competition and push the boundaries of brilliance like never before.

Medal winners: 2014 ACROBATIC 11-16 years WORLD AGE GROUP GOLD - Women’s Pair - Marlena Kroliczek, Harriet Cowperthwaite COMPETITION GOLD - Men’s Pair - Frazer Windows, Finlay Gray Our gymnasts returned home from the 2014 GOLD - Men’s Group - Michael Gill, Nathan Brady, Acrobatic World Age Group Competition with a Stuart Napier, Finnian Gavin total of 13 medals – 7 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze. SILVER - Mixed Pair - Jordan Franklin, Lilyella Paul Once again our top gymnasts in the 11 -16 , 12 – 18 SILVER - Women’s Group - Tabitha Dawson, and 13 -19 age group categories dominated the Scarlett Wright, Kitty Williams competition with some incredible performances, proving GBR as a power house nation in the acrobatic 12-18 years discipline. GOLD - Women’s Pair - Chelsea Fisher, Abbi Greaves GOLD - Mixed Pair - Millie Nesbitt, Liam Sneath The gymnasts qualified over three days of SILVER - Men’s Pair - Lewis Falconer, Christian Wood competition aiming to make the top 8 in their GOLD - Men’s Group - Charlie Tate, Lewis Watts, age groups to earn a place in the finals. Many of Conor Sawenko, Adam Upcott Michael Gill, Nathan Brady, Finnian Gavin & Stuart our partnerships finished first and second in their BRONZE - Women’s Group - Hannah Pilling, Napier (below); Chelsea Fisher & Abbi Greaves (right) respective categories but with only one per country Kirstie Harrington, Sofie Jane Lincoln allowed to advance to the final they unfortunately missed out on a place. 13-19 years GOLD - Mixed Pair - Lewis Walker, Great Britain topped rivals Russia in the finals who Isabella Montagna took 12 medals continuing their great work from SILVER - Women’s Pair - Keri Rothwell-Douglas, qualifications. Congratulations must go to all Hannah Baughn gymnasts, coaches and officials on such fantastic BRONZE - Women’s Group - Lauren Emmerson, results. Erin Mattinson, Lucy Atkinson

WORLD AGE GROUP FULL RESULTS

GYMNAST 10 GYMNAST 11 MIXED PAIR WORLD CHAMPIONS 12-18 AGE GROUP

GYMNAST 12 GYMNAST 13 Watch World Champions Elise, Georgia and Millie in their 2014 ACROBATIC balance qualification WORLD JUST TO BE HERE IS A REAL CHAMPIONSHIPS HONOUR AND WE DID WHAT WE “NEEDED TO DO TODAY AND IT PAID The British seniors came away from the World OFF WITH A SILVER MEDAL! Championships with one world title, three silvers ALICE UPCOTT and a bronze. Georgia Lancaster, Millie Spalding and Elise ” Matthews (Women’s Group 1) qualified in second position for their final marginally behind the Russia trio. The girls were up last to perform to a packed crowd. They had proved over qualification days they had both the difficulty and style to score well and that they did taking the World title ahead of Russia and Belgium. After finishing with silver at both the Europeans in 2013 and British Championships in 2014 the girls went one better in Paris and proved beyond doubt that they truly are world class. Unfortunately our second Women’s Group, Cicely Irwin, Josie Russell and The Men’s Group of Connor Bartlett, George Wood, Jennifer Bailey missed out on a place in the final Following the magnificent Gareth Wood and Daniel Cook had an unfortunate even though they finished 7th as only one group error in their qualifications which saw young per country can advance. However the group results at both the World George take an awkward fall but they came back are only first year seniors and they show great strongly to qualify in second and they held on to Age Groups and World potential for the future. their place in the final showing fantastic courage Championships, many and passion to take silver. As first year seniors their In the Mixed Pair, Alice Upcott and Dominic I’M AMAZED, I DIDN’T THINK future is extremely exciting! partnerships will now Smith performed a stunning final routine with beautiful choreography and well executed skills WE WOULD GET THIS FAR. WE change and some gymnasts Kieran Whittle and Farai Bright Garamukanwa to take silver. It was a close battle between the JUST WANTED TO COMPETE were competing in their first major international GBR pair and the Russians who in the end took “ retire. We wish everyone CLEAN ROUTINES AND PROVE in the Men’s Pair category and after qualifying in the title by less than 0.1. Alice and Dom have third position with their Balance, Dynamic and success in the future! had an incredible season being crowned British, TO OURSELVES WE COULD DO IT, Combined routines they held their place and nerve European and World Games Champions and now WE’RE JUST SO HAPPY! in the final to take World bronze behind Russia have world silver to add to their collection. KIERAN WHITTLE and Belgium. It was a long wait for both Kieran and Farai who competed last out of the six finalists and the pressure was on as the scores went back ” to zero and one last Combined routine would count for everything. However their hard work and determination paid off as they took their place on the World podium.

The British squad also won silver in the team event. Each federation put forward three of their strongest partnerships towards a team total which included results from Balance, Dynamic and Combined qualification routines. With only the federations knowing who was put forward it was difficult to call until the final places were announced. The British team included our Mixed Pair, Women’s Group 1 and Men’s Group.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FULL RESULTS ”

I’M REALLY PLEASED WITH HOW WE PERFORMED, WE DANCED WELL, WE DID OUR MOVES CLEAN. THE RESULTS ARE OUT OF OUR CONTROL SO IT’S HARD BUT ULTIMATELY WE ARE REALLY HAPPY! DANIEL COOK

MEN’S GROUP SILVER ” MEDALLISTS GEORGE WOOD, GARETH WOOD, DANIEL COOK & CONNOR BARTLETT

GYMNAST 16 GYMNAST 17 SCHEDULE JULY 24TH 12:00-15:30 Team Final & Individual Qualification 2014 18:00-21:30 Team Final & Individual Qualification JULY 25TH 13:30-17:30 Individual All-Around Final

COMMON JULY 26TH WEALTH 09:30-12:30 Apparatus Finals: Hoop, Ball, Clubs, Ribbon MEN’S AND WOMEN’S JULY 28TH 13:30-16:00 Team Final and Individual Qualification GAMES 19:00-21:30 Team Final and Individual Qualification JULY 29TH 12:00-14:30 Team Final and Individual Qualification GUIDE 16:30-19:30 Team Final and Individual Qualification JULY 30TH 13:00-16:30 Men’s Individual All-Around Final 18:30-22:00 Women’s Individual All-Around Final

JULY 31ST 15:00-19:00 Men’s Apparatus Finals: , , & Women’s Apparatus Finals: , THE 20TH COMMONWEALTH GAMES WILL BE HELD IN , RUNNING OVER 11 DAYS OF COMPETITION FROM 24 JULY TO 3 AUGUST 2014 WITH 72 AUGUST 1ST NATIONS TAKING PART IN 261 EVENTS OVER 17 SPORTS. 14:00-18:00 Men’s Apparatus Finals: Vault, , & Women’s Apparatus Finals: Beam, Floor THE GYMNASTICS DISCIPLINES OF ARTISTIC AND RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS FORM PART OF THE GAMES WITH GYMNASTS COMPETING FOR HOME NATIONS BE IT , GIBRALTAR, GUERNSEY, ISLE OF MAN, JERSEY, NORTHERN VISIT OUR IRELAND, SCOTLAND OR - RATHER THAN GREAT BRITAIN. COMMONWEALTH GAMES PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE

GYMNAST 18 GYMNAST 19 England – Claudia’s floor Scotland – ’ pommel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_w4rLqwRcI&list=PLLdamoj-y6y_8aQ5ow0m8ZHfDUVMKGXJ_&index=13 MEET THE TEAM TEAMTEAMS England Scotland squad of 13 gymnasts has been selected by Team England. The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist and 2008 Olympian and men’s artistic gymnastics squad includes 2012 Olympic bronze 2013 European Champion Dan Keatings head up the men’s artistic team A medallists Sam Oldham, Louis Smith MBE, Kristian Thomas and alongside 2012 Junior European Champion Frank Baines, high bar bronze with five times junior European Champion, 18 year oldNile medallist in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games Adam Cox and Wilson completing the line-up. Liam Davie who represented Scotland at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man. The women’s artistic team is led by European Champion and double Commonwealth Games medallist Rebecca Downie, who’s joined by three of 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games member Emma White leads the the 2014 European Silver medal winning team - , Ruby women’s team alongside Amy Regan who finished 4th in Delhi in the floor Harrold, and with taking the final position. final, Scottish floor championCarly Smith, former Scottish Junior champion Cara Kennedy and Scottish beam champion Erin McLachlan. 2014 British hoop and ball silver medallist Stephani Sherlock, 2014 British all-around bronze medallist Mimi-Isabella Cesar and 2012 Olympian Lynne The Scottish rhythmic team is made up of 2014 senior Scottish Champion Hutchison will all compete in the rhythmic gymnastics competition. Rebecca Bee and silver medallist Victoria Clow alongside 2013 Australian Youth Olympic competitor Lauren Brash.

K MAS AM OC H THO H ITL IT N S GS ES D H M A VI TIN AIN L S I R A B O W S T U E K X I IS P K M U N A R N N A A O K A A M L R S D D F

Watch Claudia Watch Dan APANE N OLD AG NIE Fragapane on Keatings on SO RR FR OW IL A IA D ITE ITH X H D IE H M O W Y floor! W S C pommel! E U K A Y L B A C L M I U L E M R A N R C B M A D E C A

ELAN HISON LA-CESAR ERLOCK WH M TC EL I SH H M U AB N SH A SI H S A IE RA E -I H V B N LY N I P A N N L M E D E A N I R E Y T M H K L M S A U I A L L

GYMNAST 20 GYMNAST 21 TEAM TEAM Wales Northern Ireland HINNEY K AW EA The youngest members of the men’s team are 17 year-olds Jac Davies and Iwan M cP 2014 Celtic Cup parallel bars champion LE M O IA Mepham from Carmarthen and Barry respectively. Both gymnasts competed for C D Luke Carson who has made an I N IN Wales at the Northern European Championships where Iwan won a silver medal incredible comeback after a string of for his high bar routine. Iwan has also represented Wales at table tennis. 21 injuries is joined in the men’s artistic year-old Robert Sansby and Harry Owen from Haverfordwest both competed at competition by member of the 2014 the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man in 2011with Harry winning Irish European team Matthew Cosgrave. a bronze medal in the individual all-around event. 25 year-old Clinton Purnell from Cardiff takes the final spot; he represented Wales in Delhi 2010. 2014 Irish all-around silver medallist SON Nicole Mawhinney is joined by 2014 AR C E 2014 Welsh all-around champion Raer Theaker leads the women’s artistic Welsh K Irish beam and floor champion India U L team. She is joined by 2012 British Junior European team members Georgina McPeak and 2012 Junior European Hockenhull and Angel Romaeo, 2014 British floor champion Lizzie Beddoe competitors Sarah Beck and Ciara and Jessica Hogg who finished fifth in the floor event at the Youth Olympics in Roberts for the women’s artistic team. in 2010. Watch Luke The Welsh rhythmic team is particularly strong with 2014 British all-around TEAM Carson on champion Laura Halford competing alongside 2012 Olympian and silver floor! medallist in Delhi 2010 Francesca Jones and Nikara Jenkins who has won a hat- Y ON trick of British titles. ELL RIS NN AR Isle of Man O H D E A C R A A R The men’s artistic team is Mukunda T G Measuria, Harshul Measuria, Anand KER AEO GG and . EA OM O Patel Alex Hedges H R H T L A R E IC E G S A N S E R A J 2014 British vault finalistTara Donnelly and 2013 Island Games champion SURIA Grace Harrison lead the women’s EEN EA N L M K U IN H artistic team joined by Kaitlin Kneen L S IT R and Nicole Burns. A A K H Watch Laura

N Halford’s ball OCKE HULL AM NSBY H PH SA A E T IN M R routine! G N E R A B O W O E I R G ASURIA ME DA N U K U M

N ONES FORD TEAM WE A J AL O C H Watch Tara Y S A R E R R C N U A A Donnelly on A H L R F Jersey bars! OLLARD E P Charlotte Pollard will be the first ever TT LO Commonwealth Games gymnast from R A H Jersey. She is the reigning Wiltshire C Open champion and won two medals at the 2013 Island Games.

GYMNAST 22 GYMNAST 23 PART 1

COMMON WEALTH CATCH UP By Vera Atkinson THREE ENGLISH GYMNASTS HAVE SO FAR WON THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES ALL-AROUND TITLE AND CURIOUSLY ENOUGH WITH AN 8-YEAR-LONG GAP BETWEEN THE VICTORIES: WE MEET THE 2002 1994 VICTORIA, CANADA NEIL THOMAS 2002 MANCHESTER, GREAT BRITAIN KANUKAI JACKSON COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2010 DELHI, INDIA LUKE FOLWELL CHAMPION KANUKAI JACKSON TEN ackson was the first British junior and double senior British fell from the pommels and that gymnast after Neil Thomas overall champion 1995/1996 was the moment when “Kaj”, Jto gain a truly world-wide and 2000/2002 respectively and head buried in a towel and YEARS AFTER HIS RETIREMENT... reputation. finally, the first to win both the listening to his personal stereo, individual all-around and the realised that that was the make In 2001 he was the first Brit to team titles at the Commonwealth or break moment in his career. medal in the 29-year history Games in Manchester 2002 As the 5,000 crowd held their of the renowned “All Stars” complimenting them with breath, he made no mistake in his tournament in Moscow (bronze silver medals on pommels and performance on the high bar, and on pommels). The year after that vault. The all-around final at so winning the gold, followed by he broke the 12 year long British the G-Mex in Manchester that the Australian Philippe Rizzo and Men’s European medal drought September was truly dramatic. Jeltkov. by winning the bronze on vault One apparatus to go the favorite in Patras, Greece. He was double Alexander Jeltkov from Canada

GYMNAST 24 GYMNAST 25 GYMNASTICS “AND THE ROAD TEN YEARS LATER ON, KAJ TO MASTERY IS SHARES HIS EXPERIENCES WITH A WONDERFUL, SPECIAL THING! THE GYMNAST WITH A SMILE WHAT WAS THE MOST DID CIRQUE DU TELL US MORE ABOUT UNEXPECTED THING SOLEIL CHANGE YOUR YOUR SHOW AND YOUR WHEN YOU JOINED THE CHARACTER AND IF SO, ACT IN IT. ” ? WHAT WAY? The show I am in is called It’s at the beginning when you That’s a tough one. I’m sure it has “CORTEO” and is based around have to do lots of workshops- with so many new experiences a clown and his life experiences. everything from singing to acting both happy and challenging… I started in the show performing to movement. It’s a bit different I think it has made me a little Tournik which is a high bar based when you come from sport. more determined, patient and act done on a cube with myself “As soon as Alex came off the some hilarious sketches that all the Following his ruptured cruciate confident. and 11 other performers. At most horse I knew I had to take my squads performed at Christmas time. knee ligament in 1998 and two DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN we are 6 swinging around the chance there and then!” admitted more operations on his shoulders, NOW SING? DID YOU NEED TIME cube at the same time. Several TO GET USED TO THE years later I am no longer in the Kanukai whose stunning success As a child Kaj was easy to coach, he Kaj decided to take up the Oh, I still think I am horrible, MULTINATIONAL- high bar act but I am now the turned him into a star overnight. was like a sponge, he wanted to know opportunity to start a new career although I have improved a lot MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY coach of the act. I now perform “Manchester completely took me everything and to do everything! He with the Cirque de Soleil in 2004. since the beginning. Well, as a OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, a duo straps act with a female by surprise! The people were really was talented, with natural strength This was the third time they have group at the beginning we all OR WAS IT A RELATIVELY partner. Together with my partner into it. You expect the athletics and and ‘fast twitch’ with it. Besides asked him to join. He was then 26. were pretty horrible. swimming to be big, because of the gymnastics his other great love was EASY PROCESS OF I developed the act over 2 years. ADJUSTMENT BECAUSE Once we believed the act was England v Australia thing, but I wasn’t cricket, he actually played for the Before flying out to Montreal for DID YOU ALSO LEARN OF YOUR PREVIOUS ready we presented it to Cirque to expecting it in gymnastics.” county, and was apparently, very his introductory course Jackson ABOUT MAKE-UP AND EXPERIENCES IN see if it would have a possibility good at it. Probably, his first big didn’t miss thanking the people COSTUMES? Kaj was a prodigious talent from decision in life was choosing which who have helped him in his GYMNASTICS? of going into one of their shows, Well, of course, I know about they liked it and I’m proud to be a very early age and he first sport to follow. As he grew older, gymnastics career: Touring can be a little bit of a mascara, and how to put on basic performing an act I created on came to prominence as a vaulter his potential became obvious, and shock, not just because you are make up, although I am not really the stage. competing a double front vault he needed to train full time, which “There are a number of people working with cast and crew from a specialist… for the first time at the age of 16. couldn’t happen at Harrow, so when without whom I could not have got so many different countries and YOUR ADVICE TO THOSE he was invited to become residential as far as I did: Mrs. Carol Ford first backgrounds but also because IS BEING A PERFORMER GYMNASTS WHOSE “My first contact with Kaj was in at Lilleshall, he took the opportunity”, spotted my potential, at Harrow you can be in a country where EASIER, OR MORE DREAM IS TO ACHIEVE AS 1985 at Hendon when he had just concludes Carol. G.C. If it weren’t for her, I would have you don’t speak the language DIFFICULT COMPARED TO MUCH AS YOU HAVE? been moved into my squad of boys. not been in gymnastics. Carol’s son or used to the customs or food. BEING A COMPETITOR? He was very quiet and thoughtful In 2002/2003 Kaj qualified for five Simon also coached me at a later I think my years in gymnastics I would like to tell them that and seldom spoke, it took nearly two finals in consecutive Grand Prix stage (in 2003). Lloyd Readhead It’s different. There are definitely helped me to adjust what they see on TV is possible years before he would have a brief events on either vault pommels helped me a lot as the National Junior similarities, you have to give your more quickly than I would’ve to achieve! It is incredible how conversation with me or any other or rings, a feat never equaled by squad coach, at the time when I was best when asked to. However, in done otherwise. When you arrive much you can achieve, if you do coach” recalled Kaj’s first coach any other male gymnast in his growing up. Then Eddie Van Hoof, gymnastics that can be 10 – 15 at Cirque there are many people the basics properly. Gymnastics Carol Ford. “He was popular with generation. Nikolay Liskovich and finally, Martin times a year and as a performer that are there to help you adjust and the road to mastery is a the other boys and rose through the Reddin, I am grateful to all of them.” you can be asked to do this 400 to your new surroundings. wonderful, special thing! ‘pecking order’ quite rapidly. He was Unfortunately, injuries curtailed times a year. Both are demanding quite a comedian and took part in his ability to train and compete. but in a different way.

GYMNAST 26 GYMNAST 27 PART 2

COMMON WEALTH IF I SEEMED “OBSESSED, THAT’S BECAUSE I WAS. GYMNASTICS GETS CATCH UP YOU THAT WAY, IT’S By Vera Atkinson ALL OR NOTHING

abby Logan, nee “For about seven years I lived and Preparation is everything and as” WE MEET THE COMMONWEALTH Yorath the daughter breathed gymnastics. Before I Gary Player, the golfer, commented, GAMES RHYTHMIC GYMNAST of the former Welsh “retired”, I was getting up at 5.30am the harder I trained, the luckier I Ginternational football to put an hour in at the gym before got”, Gabby wrote in player has fought school and then training three hours back in December 18, 2006. AND THREE-TIME SPORTS her way to stardom in the tough after school, plus weekends. Most world of sports broadcasting. summer and Easter holidays were Gabby was a rhythmic gymnast PRESENTER OF THE YEAR Switching gracefully from spent at Lilleshall or some other in the 80’s when she represented Metro Radio in Newcastle to centre of excellence, training eight Great Britain for four years and GABBY LOGAN... , ITV and BBC, the hours a day. retired after the Commonwealth Times Newspaper, Radio 4 and Games in Auckland, New Zealand Five Live amongst many other If I seemed obsessed, that is because in 1990 where she competed broadcasting outlets, leading her I was. Gymnastics gets you that way, for Wales and finishing in eighth to be named Sports Presenter it’s all or nothing. The sport is about place. We caught up with her of the Year Award in 2000, 2002 precise movements, so execution to recollect on her gymnastics and 2004. As for the world of is everything and the only way to career and her life since retiring gymnastics, the 41 year old perfect your moves is to repeat from the sport… native from is a great role them again and again and again. model shaped by her passion of Many times in my adult life I have our sport. tapped back into that experience. GYMNAST 28 WHAT ARE YOUR pain, juggle a million things and ACHIEVE AS MUCH AS IT STRONGEST discipline which I make use of HAD OVER THE LAST FEW MEMORIES FROM THE in every area of my life today oh YEARS? COMMONWEALTH GAMES and of course I can still do the I honestly didn’t dare to dream IN AUCKLAND? splits and catch things behind my that British gymnastics could be back! Having a father who was It was without doubt one of the this successful. I tried to relay a professional footballer meant most important and life shaping this to colleagues and friends I had sport in my genes and he three weeks of my life. It was a during the 2012 Olympics when was a brilliant role model. I loved goal for such a long time for me the men won the team bronze. training so much, I was never ever and to realise it was incredible. I told them it was as important forced to go to gym and I think How often do our dreams and as significant as many of the that is a really important thing for come true? I loved the village gold medals we were winning parents to remember when they environment, learning from as a marker of where the sport GABBY want their kids to get into sport. other sports men and women had come. Great Britain is now a The motivation has to come from and eating alongside some of gymnastics force to be reckoned THROUGH THE within. my heroes. I was in the Welsh with and it wasn’t always that team with Colin Jackson who I way, many casual observers of HOW MUCH TALENT AND EYES OF OTHERS: was a massive fan of and now the sport don’t realise that. I cried HOW MUCH WORK ARE I work with him. In many ways when the men achieved a rostrum NEEDED TO ACHIEVE A is one of the most what I do now is directly linked to finish, and has Marion Sands compete in the Commonwealth Games BROADCASTING CAREER popular rhythmic gymnastics those three weeks, it cemented always moved me to tears as she in Auckland in 1990. Nice girl! She is AS SUCCESSFUL AS coaches who made City in my mind the desire to work is such an incredible trail blazer. everything that a coach hopes to get …“ YOURS? RG Club a real bastion of the sport; in broadcasting. I didn’t finish she coached Gabby when her father as high as I would have liked, I think you have to have a certain ARE YOUR TWINS One of Gabby’s followers in the Terry Yorath became the coach of the nerves probably kept the best of aptitude for the job but then after (REUBEN AND LOIS, BORN next British rhythmic gymnastics Coventry City Football Club. me in the training gym not on that you have to be prepared IN 2005) PRACTISING ANY generation was the 1993/94 British the competition mat. It was hard to work very hard. Doing very SPORT? Champion and British Olympian in “Then the whole family moved down competing at the very end of the unsociable shifts for years, I did Barcelona 1992- Debbie Southwick. I really want them to love sport as from Leeds. They were following him schedule; we had two days to a breakfast news shift all my “I was about 11 years old when I first much as I did and do. But I won’t a lot in those years… So, there were ‘enjoy’ Auckland and ourselves way through university. So at met Gabby at an Easter training camp force them to do anything. Lois the two of them who came in my club, after. But I met some great the weekend I was getting up at in Leeds. It was the first time I had been does gymnastics, horse riding people, folk I still know today. 4am to drive to the radio station Gabby and her older sister Louise who is on a residential training camp and I was and netball and Reuben does while my fellow students were just now part of the cast of Cirque du Soleil. a little nervous about being away from everything! He plays rugby for HOW MUCH OF YOUR coming in! You need to be brave, Gabby’s coaches in Leeds were Anne home and with girls I had never met school and outside for a club and “TOUGHNESS” AS A put yourself in uncomfortable Tallentire and Cathy McReavie”, recalls before. It was then when Gabby really at school he also plays football PROFESSIONAL COMES situations and test yourself. In the Marion. took me under her wing and made me and swims and runs. (Gabby’s FROM YOUR GENES, FROM end it all pays off. feel very welcome! She was great fun, husband is a former YOUR FAMILY UPBRINGING “I think Gabby was the more natural I remember us all cramming into her Scotland international rugby AND FROM GYMNASTICS? WHEN YOU WERE A rhythmic gymnast of the two. Most of all, room in the night to have fun and share union player). GYMNAST, DID YOU she was extremely dedicated. She didn’t chocolate that we had managed to I think gymnastics gave me so BELIEVE BRITISH miss training and worked really, really sneak in without the coaches seeing...” much; the ability to work through GYMNASTICS COULD hard to make the team of Wales and

GYMNAST 30 GYMNAST 31 AEROBIC WORLD CHAMPS

ongratulations to all our brilliant British There were some really encouraging results Caerobic gymnasts who competed at the and numerous finals in both events, with all the 2014 World Championships gymnasts gaining valuable big championship and World Age Group competitions that took experience to take into future competitions. place from June 23rd - 29th in Cancun, Mexico.

FIND OUT ABOUT THE AEROBIC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

FIND OUT ABOUT THE AEROBIC WORLD AGE GROUP COMPETITION

The British group of Chloe Farrance (captain), Emily Boyce, Ella Augier, Beth Martin and Hannah Owen.

GYMNAST 32 GYMNAST 33 ASK THE EXPERT

WAYS TO INCREASE THE Promote your activity with messages INCLUSION OF that directly appeal to disabled people; o Research in England shows that disabled people are DISABLED PEOPLE motivated to do sport for the following reasons: (Research conducted by English Federation of Disability IN GYMNASTICS Sport 2013): • For fun 80% By Patrick Bonner, British Gymnastics Disability & Inclusion Manager • Improve health 68% • Improve fitness 60% he British Gymnastics disability gymnastics programme ensures • For the challenge 59% that gymnastics is adapted to meet the needs of each gymnast. • Social / friendship 43% Through the delivery of disability gymnastics, coaches can enable • To win 41% all disabled gymnasts to achieve their full potential, focusing on T o Therefore, be clear in your marketing that gymnastics what they can do, not on what they can’t do. From fundamental movement 5activity to elite gymnastics skills, disability gymnastics has something can provide all of the above. exciting, fun and engaging for all disabled people to enjoy; it is also widely 1 recognised as providing many physical and social benefits for participants, o When promoting your activity it is important to such as developing increased coordination skills and building confidence. specifically state that disabled people can participate, We spoke to Patrick Bonner, British Gymnastics Disability & Inclusion as research shows that many disabled people do not Manager about his top 5 ways to help increase the inclusion of disabled automatically assume that gymnastics is accessible people in gymnastics… for them.

GYMNAST 34 GYMNAST 35 Focus on a person’s ability, not their disability; Tackle adaptation in gymnastics;

o By focusing on what a person can do, rather than what they can’t do; o Be creative as a coach when finding ways to make gymnastics gymnastics can be such a positive and rewarding activity which can accessible; remember, any gymnastics skill or activity can be help disabled people realise their full potential and enjoy gymnastics. adapted in many different ways to suit the needs of any individual.

o Think about all impairment groups when designing gymnastics

programmes; make sure to plan ahead to include participants that Consult with disabled people when designing may need additional assistance to participate. your gymnastics activity; o Use a gymnast centred coaching philosophy. This is the golden o It is good practice to ask disabled people what gymnastics activity rule; focus on the needs of each gymnast and ensure that you they would like to participate in. However, disabled people may not adapt the sport/activity to best suit each individual. be aware of all that gymnastics has to offer them; so it may be a good “ idea to offer some taster sessions for disabled people with a wide range of gymnastics activities on offer. Disabled people can then give 2you valuable feedback about what they have enjoyed the most; which 4Ensure your gymnastics club develops inclusive will be very useful in informing the development of the activity which policies and practices; will appeal to disabled people. o By embedding inclusive policies and practices throughout your club, disabled people will experience a welcoming environment and enjoy “ DISABILITY IS their gymnastics participation. o Remember, a positive ‘can do’ attitude to inclusion will go a long way THE INABILITY to making disabled people feel valued as members of your club. TO SEE ABILITY PAUL HALL MBE ” “ GYMNAST 36 3 GYMNAST 375 WE FIRST ASK LEE TO BREAK DOWN THE VARIOUS JUDGES AND THEIR ROLES “There are two different types of judges in exception is artistic gymnastics. There’s a “D” panel that vault, where each consists of two judges who are assessing the vault has been assigned a specific points difficulty of elements within a routine. Each value- the D-score is simply this value. LEE gymnastics skill that the gymnast performs There is then an “E” panel that consists of LEE has a rating from an A, which is the easiest five judges, they look at execution; technical (worth 0.1 points) right through to H (worth errors such as falls, bent arms and multiple 0.8 points). steps etc. All gymnasts start on an E score of 10, assuming that they fulfil all basic The top ten skills in each routine are added requirements, before execution faults are WOOLLSWOOLLS together to gain the difficulty score. The only subtracted.” GYMNASTICS THROUGH THE SO HOW DO THEY Lee recently attended the 2014 Artistic European Championships. As well as ACTUALLY REACH being personal coach to men’s junior team member Joe Fraser at this event, EYES OF A JUDGE THE he also took on the role as a judge, AND WHAT IS which is of vital support for team… By Olivia Howard CONSIDERED A “My role with the British team is to look at their routines prior and during events ymnastics is a beautiful sport to watch, the audience GOOD ONE? and say how many points they may lose or is often left amazed by the pure skill of a gymnast “The final D (difficulty) score and the final whether a skill or connection (immediately and how they make it look incredibly easy. Often E (execution) are added together to give linking two skills together) would be given. however we are left so dazzled at the pure brilliance the final total score. To win medals at top As coaches we can often get carried away G in looking at beautiful gymnastics but not that we don’t look at the technical side of gymnastics making international level, gymnasts need to score always look at it technically and see how it hard to understand why and how one gymnast outscored from the high 14’s into the 15’s. There will we can get the best score. Hopefully by another. be the occasional 16 awarded for a world class routine, such as Max Whitlock’s gold assisting the team in this way, myself and To help us try and demystify it all we spoke to established coach medal winning pommel routine at the 2014 the other judges have played a part in their success.” and brevet judge (the very highest level of judge), Lee Woolls European Championships.” from Birmingham to find out more about the judging system in men’s gymnastics and the importance of his role….

GYMNAST 38 GYMNAST 39 SO WHAT ARE THE KEY SKILLS YOU NEED TO BE A JUDGE? To be a judge you need to have a the sport has progressed since the good understanding of the sport and new system was introduced… remember a lot of technical points. You also need to be fair, truthful and unbiased “Internationally I’ve been judging for 12 of course. We worked out on rings for years, over that time the difficulty of the example that there are eight areas to sport has stepped up a level. When I first deduct for each move! Therefore, you started, gymnasts were performing very have about two seconds to watch, analyse complex skills, but now they really push and deduct a skill - so you certainly have the boundaries. In perspective the current to be quick and work well under pressure!” juniors would have won Olympic medals 12 years ago! So as a judge you have to Many people remember the perfect step up as well, it’s more challenging, but 10 in gymnastics, so we ask Lee how it’s great.”

WHAT THEN HAS BEEN LEE’S BEST MOMENT WHEN JUDGING? “I was lucky enough to judge at the 2012 Olympics! Everyone wants to watch the Champion Kohei Uchimura live and have a chance to witness the beauty of his gymnastics. It was great being able to view it as a judge.”

Uchimura like many world class gymnasts performs multiple twists, turns and somersaults that it must be hard for even a judge to keep up... SO DO GYMNASTICS JUDGES REGULARLY USE VIDEO PLAYBACK? “We are briefed not to really use the video playback as a third judge, as we should analyse the routine we see in front of us. It is used more for skill recognition or if coach doesn’t agree with the difficulty value.”

SO FINALLY WE ASK HOW DOES IT FEEL TO The world’s greatest gymnastics event BE PART OF SUCH A is coming to Glasgow in 2015 STRONG SET UP? Tickets on sale May 2014. Register online for priority access. “To be part of the British system at the moment is amazing, just being around this sense of achievement 2015worldgymnastics.com and pride is great. There is no better feeling than watching the boys on the floor and winning medals. That sense of family and team work is incredible!”

GYMNAST 40 Cirque du Soleil ® is seeking new talent for its current shows and upcoming creations.

ACROBATIC & ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS TRAMPOLINE – – OTHER SPORTS For more information on our audition calendar and post-competitive career opportunities: CIRQUEDUSOLEIL.COM/JOBS

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