London Matters
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The newsletter that keeps you up to date London Matters is the regional newsletter that is posted out to all the clubs that are affiliated to the region and to individuals who have SATURDAY 7 JUNE & SUNDAY 8 JUNE requested copies. Gymnastics for All Blue and Bronze Competition It is also available on line at Redbridge Leisure Centre www.london-gymnastics .co.uk SATURDAY 14 JUNE & SUNDAY 15 JUNE But to make sure that all the news about the activities Women’s Artistic of the gymnasts, technical committees, competitions and clubs is up to date we need you to tell us what is Voluntary In/Out of Age Level 4/3/2 + happening in London Gymnastics. Challenge/FIG London Women’s Open Invitational Download the form from the website: Heathrow Gymnastics Club Document Downloads/web site form/London News SUNDAY 22 JUNE Story Application Acrobatic Gymnastics Acro Stars + Shooting Stars Competition Then we can include the information on the website Allstarz Gymnastics Club and in the newsletter. Remember that if you do not tell us we cannot print SUNDAY 22 JUNE any information about the success of our gymnasts, Men’s Artistic coaches or clubs. Regional Training Harrow School of Gymnastics In addition there is also the weekly MailChimp information e-mail that is sent out every Thursday SUNDAY 22 JUNE night, that gives news of events and updates about Rhythmic Gymnastics the regional activities. Summer Competition Edmonton Sports Centre If you would like to be receive either or both of these please e-mail [email protected] putting your e-mail address and/or postal address in the e- SUNDAY 22 JUNE mail so that you can be added to the appropriate list. Welfare officers Seminar Bexleyheath Marriott Hotel SATURDAY 28 JUNE & SUNDAY 29 JUNE Women’s Artistic Regional Administrator Voluntary In/Out of Age Teams Championships London Gymnastics Heathrow Gymnastics Club SUNDAY 13 JULY Connecting gymnastics to you Men’s Artistic Regional Training and Performance pathway Europa Gymnastics Club london-gymnastics.co.uk LONDON GYMNASTICS Providing the perfect balance of fun, passion and precision Preparations for the 2014 London Men's Open New Championship Director weekend have started for both gymnasts and Recently our long-standing Championship Director, the London Gymnastics Organising committee - Ben Murphy took over as Chairman of London we give you a flavour of what's to come…….. Gymnastics. Therefore we are pleased to announce that Lorna Goddard will now become Championship Director for the London Open weekend. Lorna is known to most, and will continue to lead an excellent volunteer team and produce another great Championship. Presenting the show This year we have a star studied set of presenters to wow our audience and competitors. On Friday, we have Brian Stocks (FIG Counsel member), Saturday & Sunday, Commonwealth Gold Medallist Steve Frew and on Sunday we are pleased to be joined by current British Champion and Olympic Medallist, Max Whitlock to help sign autographs and present medals. Our Partners World Class Line Up We are delighted that JLA are to remain our key spon- This year's line-up won't disappoint. With the JLA sor of the London Men's Open, and with The Zone Westminster Cup being used to finalise the GB team also providing financial assistance to the London Men's for the World Championships in China, 3-12 October Development Open. 2014, we are guaranteed a wealth of GB, European, World and Olympic Stars. On top of this we expect to Sponsorship Opportunities still remain, please contact see many overseas gymnasts once again coming to [email protected] compete. Disability gymnasts We are delighted to announce that members of the GB Disability squad will this year be competing alongside our top artistic gymnasts. Using a slightly adapted code, they will compete at the same time as their artistic counterparts . Online Entry This year entry for the London Open Championships will be via BG's Online Entry Platform. Many will have used this for National competitions already, but with London Gymnastics acting as a pilot Region before the roll out of the system across all Regions in 2015, this marks a significant enhancement in our delivery to our participating clubs. The new system will be open for entries on 1st June. Please keep an eye on our event link for when the entry system is available to use. Tickets Following the success of last year, we are pleased to say that our online portal with GymData has already opened for advanced ticket sales. Last year a number of competitions were sell outs, and so we ad- vise early booking of tickets to guarantee your seat. With the over demand for tickets last year, we have decided to remove a distinction of child and adult tick- ets and provided just one flat rate. Competing gymnasts will once again have free entry for Friday and Sunday, but with Saturday’s competition costing just £5 to watch European, World and Olympic Stars. The event organisation its self was great. I was fortunate enough to run the Gymnastics events at the On Saturday I had the pleasure to attend Redbridge London 2012 Olympics – I had around 2 years to Leisure Centre with my family to watch our first GfA prepare for 198 gymnasts. Catherine Bates and her competition. team have just 5 weeks from the closing date and had 2000 gymnasts to find a slot for! I know speaking to Yes it is not the easiest travel route to get to Catherine that there were a few grumbles at ‘why Redbridge, but there is no doubt the few traffic jams can’t you just add another one, or put him on a were well worth the travel. There was ample car different day’ – I don’t think I should need to answer parking and clear signage to guide us to the front door that question, but just imagine playing Sudoku with where I was met by a mass of parents and gymnasts 2000 numbers and having to start again each time! buzzing with excitement. Our Judges – what an amazing bunch with some- The Zone stall was busy as was our event where close to 4000 routines to be judged over the photographer, Photographic Synergy. 2 weekends. It is a long and often thankless task, but from what I saw the judges got to grips with the new We walked in to the hall and were impressed by the system quickly and were very friendly in their buzz around the arena. Equipment laid out well, nearly approach. They were ably led by Head Judging every bit of seating and standing room taken, by Coordinator Lorna Goddard, who was available to deal parents eagerly awaiting the performance of their with any issues as they occurred. child. The presentations, on the backdrop of our own I watched some great performances, and was left with London Gymnastics logos, were professionally no doubt that we have a considerable wealth of talent organised and allowed the gymnasts their moment to in London at this level. Of course London Gymnastics shine. In fact I had my four year old daughter with me has always been strong at General Gymnastics, but who also wanted in on the act whilst I was presenting over the last few years the GfA committee really have medals. So Catherine kindly arranged a quick change taken the competitions to a new level. 2000 gymnasts for Lily, and before I knew it she was standing next to over two weekends says it all, in fact. I understand me as a medals bearer. A lovely moment - one which from Catherine that there are plans to expand the Lily hasn’t stopped talking about. space we use in the arena even further. It is important that our Performance Pathway has a place to play in I wanted to save my final congratulations for the two trying to feed some of these gymnasts into our other amazing young girls who sit on control. Now I have disciplines at the right time and rightly GfA provides had the pleasure to work with Professional production the base from which gymnasts can develop. companies, presenters, GB athletes over the years, but I was blown away by Beth Johnson (14 years) and I walked the corridor on a few occasions, and of Kiara Keller (15 years) who not only were controlling course there was the odd moan about running behind all the music, but also were two of the best little schedule, but let’s face it, 500+ gymnasts from 8am to presenters I have heard in a long time. They were 9pm, with new skills, some competing for the first both brave and professional in the way they time and a new scoring system – I think we can allow approached their announcing. In fact we have now some teething issues! However in the main, I listened signed them up for the Men’s London Open in to parents, coaches and of course the gymnasts September! speaking with great enthusiasm. So my ceremonial duty as Chairman turned in to a fun The GfA committee really should be proud of what family day out. Made all the better by the amazing they are continuing to achieve. I have no doubt that atmosphere generated by the GfA community. So part of the success is the strategy to move to have the congratulations to you all, gymnasts, coaches, judges, GfA community play such an active role in shaping parents, suppliers and organising committee. their programme, with club days, judges days and an active technical symposium at the AGM.