OCTOBER 2011 BRITISH OFFICIAL MAGAZINE

Mimi Cesar Frankie Keziah Jones Gore RG World Championships Warm-Up ...with the President OCTOBER 2011

he trilogy of World Gymnastics Championships leading to Olympic Qualifications is now under way. The first of these was the World Rhythmic Championships held recently in TFrance and we now know that GBR will be represented at the Olympic Games. Currently, our two artistic teams are seeking qualification in Tokyo with the final event being the Trampoline World Championships in Birmingham with Kat Driscoll being an outstanding prospect for qualification.

You now have the opportunity of feeling part of ‘our’ team as we launch “I am BG” - which I am sure will bring together our gymnastics community. This will lead, in the coming months, to 2012 Club Starter packs, which will enable your club to embrace the atmosphere of the Olympic Games. The British Olympic Association have asked for five representatives in different categories to participate in the London 2012 Torch Relay. We have put names forward for this - look out for an update soon!

I had the opportunity of visiting the magnificent Basildon Sports Village the new home of South Essex Gymnastics Club. Not only is this an outstanding facility for gymnastics, but also for swimming and athletics. Basildon Council are to be congratulated on their enterprise and vision in providing these world class facilities. With new centres at Europa and Brentwood now on the horizon, the stage is set to embrace one of the key Olympic aims to increase participation.

This is reflected once again as our membership increases year on year with 71 clubs registered with during the 2010/11 membership period and nearly 14,000 new club members. British Gymnastics and its clubs should be proud of their achievements and contribution to the health and welfare of the community. I am sure that is why organisations such as Sport England remain committed to working with, and supporting, British Gymnastics, as do UK Paul Garber Sport through their International programme President and our sponsors. It is quite simple we British Gymnastics deliver what we promise. UEG Vice President

[email protected] 0845 1297129 www.british-gymnastics.org 3 Contents

Page 7 Jaime Carter 2011 Senior FIG Men's CONTENTS Aerobic Champion 7 GABRIELLE JUPP SAPPHIRE’S LITTLE GEM 10 THE LIFE OF A MEN’S ARTISTIC ELITE GYMNAST 17 KAT DRISCOLL ON LIFE, HOPES AND DREAMS 25 CLUB FEATURE SWINDON SCHOOL OF GYMNASTICS Page 10 33 Chalk Talk VOLUME 49 THE ISSUE 8 38 ROUND UP Managing Editor Advertising MONTPELLIER EXPERIENCES - RG WORLD CHAMPS MARK YOUNG GEORGE MILLER, [email protected] Cabbell Publishing Ltd, Woodman Works, 204 Durnsford Road, 42 PREVIEW Feature EditorS London, SW19 8DR TIM PEAKE, OLIVIA HOWARD Tel: 0208 971 8463 ARTISTIC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, TOKYO Fax: 0208 971 8480 [email protected] [email protected] 44 RESULTS VAULT [email protected] RESULTS, REPORTS and PHOTOS Design Published by KATHY-ANN DAVIES, British Gymnastics, 45 WHAT’S COMING UP JOANNE RICHARDS, MARK YOUNG Ford Hall, Lilleshall National Sports Centre, EVENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR Newport, Shropshire, TF10 9NB Page 17 BGtv Tel: 0845 1297129 GARETH FINCHETT Fax: 0845 1249089 Copyright © 2011. Published by The British Amateur Gymnastics Association. Registered in England No. 1630001 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a [email protected] retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, VAT Reg. No. 207 9654 44 photocopying, recording or otherwise without written permission of British www.british-gymnastics.org Gymnastics. ‘CHALK TALK’ Identification and naming of individual gymnasts on printed photographs is JEFF DAVIS British Gymnastics Official Photographer: determined by the information received and therefore cannot be guaranteed for ALAN EDWARDS [email protected] accuracy. www.sports-photo.co.uk The views expressed by the individual contributors are not necessarily those of British Gymnastics. Equally the inclusion of advertisements in this magazine British Gymnastics Official Photo Partner: does not constitute endorsement by British Gymnastics of the products or SUBSCRIBE TO THE LATEST news from DE PHOTO services concerned. British Gymnastics is unable to recommend any product, guarantee that it is free of any banned substance or take any responsibility for British Gymnastics with our RSS feed www.dephoto.biz any claims of effectiveness. 4 Front cover - Francesca Jones (insets - Mimi Cesar, Keziah Gore) - Alan Edwards 5 Gabrielle Jupp Gabrielle Jupp

Gabrielleourteen-year-old Jupp Sapphire Gymnastics, of Club is one of the most talked about British Junior Fgymnasts of 2011. Only recently joining the national squad, Gabrielle has moved quickly through the ranks and her explosive gymnastics and confident style have caught the eye of many gymnastics fans. In only her first year as a junior she took the silver medal at the British Championships in July, proving she is certainly one to look out for. Olivia Howard and Tim Peake caught up with her whilst training at the National Sports Centre, Lilleshall, to get all the info on this rising star, including her involvement in the national squad, recent competitions and the future…

7 Gabrielle Jupp

routine it’s such a great feeling. My Competing with confidence has grown a lot on this the stars... apparatus. It makes you feel really proud to be School... in the same competitions as someone I still go to school but my Head of like Beth Tweddle. It’s a great Year understands my commitments - experience and it does boost your he shows my videos off in assembly! confidence knowing that you can step They’re really supportive, but up to that next level. My confidence sometimes it is hard to catch up and has improved a lot as I have been I will have to be even more focussed competing internationally and more next year when I begin my GSCE’S. in general, so it’s definitely given I like P.E. and biology at school, so me that extra boost as well as vital I’d like to do something with these experience. subjects when I’m older. Internationals... Future... My first international competition I’d love to do Junior Europeans was in the Czech Republic where next year but I will have to see how the team won and I came 4th. It was everything goes. I just take each day Junior Winners at the quite a calm competition for my first as it comes. 2011 Women’s British international, which was nice.

EYOF... It was quite a different competition as National Teammates... it was a multi-sport event, you got to Squad... I get on with all the British mix with the other athletes and it was girls on the squad but I Champs... a really fun competition! I was quite I was asked to join the spend a lot of time with nervous but it was great to have the national squad after I Charlie Fellows, as she There was a lot of rest of the British team there with me. trialed at the English is the only one from pressure at the British I found it quite interesting to see what Championships. At first her club also. It’s quite Championships as I had the other gymnasts were like. I was I was really nervous but helpful sometimes being an error on the bars so I really pleased when I qualified for the I spoke to my coach the only one from your had to do well. My coach beam final. I thought winning a medal and he told me I would club as you can get one did say you’ve got to do was going to be quite hard but I did it be fine. From the first to one time from your a perfect beam if you and I was so pleased! session I really enjoyed coach. want to challenge for the it. I’d been to Lilleshall medals but I did it and once before on a I was so happy to take Style and coaching course when I Schedule... the silver medal! Being favourites... was younger but I can’t I train every day apart in the arena and on the People say I’m not exactly the most really remember it. So from Sunday. I used podium as well was graceful of gymnasts, they say I’m when I came here for the to do horse riding and great practice for future more powerful but I’m not entirely first time being older I swimming but now I competitions especially sure. My favourite piece is beam was in awe, it’s such a dedicate my time to international ones. Gabrielle at the great facility. gymnastics and I love it! because when you stick a beam 2011 Women’s British 8 9 GlasgowCourtney WorldTulloch Cup Preview The life of a Men’s Artistic Elite gymnast...

ourtney Tulloch is just 15 years old but his school life and Cdaily routine are very different to that of many boys his age. He trains at Pegasus Gymnastics Club under the watchful eye of Ionut Trandaburu. Since his gold medal performance at last year’s UK School Games, Courtney has had increasing success. He recently won the all- around gold medal at the European Youth Olympic Festival, as well as gold on the and silver in the team event. Olivia Howard caught up with him during his training at Lilleshall. He told us the ‘ins and outs’ of his school life, training, teammates and what he carries in his kit bag that gives him that little extra luck… Courtney Tulloch 10 GlasgowCourtney WorldTulloch Cup Preview

How did you begin? School? I started gymnastics when I I’ve got GCSE’s coming up next was about 6 or 7 years old. year as well as the Europeans, I had lots of energy when but I love gymnastics. The I was little; I used to do teachers are really supportive at cartwheels all the time at school, which is really good. My my nan’s so she took me to sponsor has given me a laptop a local club. I was living in so the teachers can send me London then so I went to work which is very helpful. I see Redbridge and that’s how my future career in gymnastics it all started really. I did as something like a coach for pretty well at Redbridge example. so the coach told me to join a bigger club. I Daily Schedule? got moved into a better group and that’s when I I train every day apart from started to really enjoy it Monday. I sometimes take and see it as more than Tuesday off school so I can train just a hobby. a bit more but I always catch up on my work. I’m a bit of an early bird so I don’t mind getting Watch Courtney in action... up in the morning for school. Wednesday is normally the hardest day of my week as I have a lot of schoolwork to do and came to Lilleshall to try the full vault I’m basically out of the house out, it went really well. Not many Competitions? from about 8am to 10pm! people my age are performing such a The 2010 UK Schools Games was one difficult vault so I’m pleased with it. of my best competitions; it was a Training? great experience meeting all the other athletes. I’ve changed quite a lot since Before competitions my training Teammates and Idols? then but in a positive way. The gold involves going around all six I train alongside at my home at that competition really boosted my apparatus as well as focussing club. I also train with Frank Baines, confidence. I also recently competed in particularly on my conditioning Anthony Wise, Dominic Cunningham the Men’s British Championships and for my rings routine. I do and Jay Thompson. I get on really the Japan Junior Cup achieving some conditioning specific for rings to well with them all and look up to good results. In the Japan Cup I took try and increase my upper body them because they are all really good the bronze on the vault and gold on strength. I’ve been looking for gymnasts. In terms of senior gymnasts the rings! In the British I finished 4th a new vault for quite sometime. I do look up to . I really Courtney at the all-around in my age group and also I’m quite good at double front like his style of gymnastics and the way 2010 Schools Games took the bronze in the masters vault, somersaults and my coach he trains, also because which is an event final that includes all decided I should try it on the his pommels are really impressive. age groups, so I was up against all the vault in the form of a handspring senior men! double front. I did quite a lot of preps for it with just the single somersault and then when I 12 13 GlasgowCourtney WorldTulloch Cup Preview

with my mates. I really like to play golf European Youth Olympic as well, just to chill out. Festival? EYOF was in Turkey in July. I was The Olympics? very pleased with my performance I’ve got tickets for the Olympics next although I could have performed year so I’m really looking forward to better on certain pieces. I thoroughly going and watching the Games. I’m enjoyed the whole experience from looking forward to 2016 for myself as the opening ceremony through to the a gymnast, it’s quite far away at the closing ceremony where I was selected moment but I’m just looking to stay to carry the flag for Great Britain, which fit and healthy. I would like to be an was a great honour. I really enjoyed all-around gymnast for the Games my time in the athletes’ village mixing but I’m going to need to improve my with athletes from other disciplines high bar for this to happen. I think and other countries and I made many when I’m older I will become more of a friends who I am keeping in touch specialist. with and hope to meet again. It was a great feeling when we held on to silver for the Great Britain team. We had The future? all worked hard and kept each other Junior Europeans next year is very focused until the last piece. We were all important to the rest of the junior pleased to have been able to contribute squad and myself. If we win, we to Great Britain’s medal total where will have won it three years in a we came 2nd to . I also took row. I want to try and win a gold the gold in the all-around and on the medal on the rings and hopefully rings, so it was a great achievement for make the vault final. After that I will both Great Britain and myself. start looking at the Commonwealth, Worlds and the Olympic Games, who Lucky Charms? knows… One of the main things I always have in my kit bag are two wrist bands my girlfriend gave me and I take them to all my competitions and training. I guess I just see them as lucky. Social Life? In my spare time I like to go to town and the cinema Youth all-around Champion at the 14 2010 English Championships Coming soon... Kat Driscoll

British Trampoline Champion 2011 Katherine Driscoll is stronger than ever. With is currently ranked number the World Championships one in the world in women’s in Birmingham in November trampolining. Recently drawing ever closer, Olivia Howard crowned the 2011 British caught Champion, she is certainly up with Kat to find out what one to look out for as keeps her motivated, her life we head towards 2012. in and out of trampolining Now 25 years old, Kat is and her hopes ahead of the happily married but her Worlds and Olympics… Kat Driscoll passion for the sport and determination to succeed 16 17 Kat Driscoll

How did you his sessions. I went along 17 years is a first get one afternoon and it went long time! What involved in from there really. I started has kept you trampolining? when I was eight and now motivated to When I was younger both I’m 25 so I have been keep going? my parents worked full trampolining for 17 years I guess I just enjoy it, I time and I’ve got two now! don’t feel like it’s a chore. older brothers, so during The kids that I train with the school holidays we are absolutely amazing to would go and do the work with. I guess it’s just activity weeks that they I’m 25 so I so much fun still! hold in the leisure have been Is it all fun or centres. Trampolining trampolining do you find was one of the some aspects sessions that took for 17 years frustrating? place and the coach now! was one from a local I don’t really get club, who afterwards frustrated with anything, Watch Kat in action... asked me to go I guess the age I am now along to I make the decisions. I one of trampoline because I want to, so the sessions I go to I go to because I want to get better. to places I would never and trained together I don’t feel like have dreamed of and I’m quite lucky for a long time. He I have missed have made so many that my dad’s a used to compete out on different friends. photographer, for Great Britain in anything, The only thing that my mum works on trampolining, so I have sometimes gets to the computers and when he retired gone me is that I don’t my husband is a he went into get to spend an trampoline coach as coaching. I have awful lot of time well, so when I always been used with friends and do competitions I to having him family because I’m have my family there; in fact I find so busy. there with me. it harder when he is not! Do your family have a lot of So how does a involvement typical session in your go? Kat with James Higgins training and I like having my husband My sessions differ every competitions? there; before we were married we competed time depending on the 18 19 Kat Driscoll

day or what part of the individual, therefore, we It’s just a common thing What are your Time to sell your competition season we do it with a view to having on the menu at the hotel hopes for the World sport! Why should are at. If we’re building fun. As syncro is not at restaurants we stay at. Championships people get involved in up to a competition, I’ll the Olympics, we don’t in Birmingham in Trampolining? Do you have come in and get warmed have that extra pressure, November? any time to do Trampolining is a sport that you can’t up. I then do three so that side of it is fun anything else? For me, I’m aiming for a top 8 finish. get bored of; you can always get better set routines and three and more relaxed. When For the team, we want to qualify in the every session you go in. You can also voluntary routines, and Amanda and I compete I coach at my club with top 5 which would take us through to have fun whilst you’re training as you’re then any of the parts together, we get on the the kids that I train with the final which we haven’t done since not on the trampoline all the time, so that need work, I then trampoline and smile but I don’t have a specific 2003. We’ve had two gymnasts in the there is a good social side. Also, as an break down and work on to each other before group, it’s just mainly finals of all the World Cups this season, Olympic sport, there’s always a big goal separately. So it’s pretty we start. For us, it’s the the kids I train alongside. so for us as a team, we’re definitely that you can aim for. The system we’ve much full routines until one chance we’ve got to Coaching is something looking to get into the final and push got in this country of getting people they’re done and then go out and compete for post Olympics I’m for a medal. through is brilliant. It keeps you fit and breaking it down into Great Britain but under a looking to get into. Other healthy and it’s something all ages can How confident are you parts. I train trampoline little less pressure than than that, I have a little do. You can keep going for as long as that you will make the six times a week, at normal. nephew so my husband you like and as long as least three hours a day. and I take him out on the 2012 Olympics in London? How do you your body is going to I also do strength and weekends. On Sundays I vary your diet The Worlds is the first qualifier for the take it. It’s conditioning three days a like to watch the Formula to keep your Olympics, it’s only part one really. I great! week. One, we love anything energy levels do feel pretty confident I could take to do with sport in our up? an Olympic spot, the results I’ve had What house. My husband and I difference this year have all been pretty good. I try to be careful with go and watch Newcastle In all the World Cups we have do you find what I eat, if I’m having a United when the season’s between done, it has been me and harder week’s training, I on or we will go to Individual and one other girl in the final. I just try to bulk the carbs Durham and watch the synchronised recently won a World Cup up during the day. cricket! trampolining? in Germany and took bronze in the Jablonec At the moment my World Cup event. I partner is Amanda Before I go feel pretty confident Parker; we’ve known away for a having been in every each other since competition I like to final at every World we were 11. We have gammon, mash Cup and obviously, appreciate what potatoes and a fried at the British we have because egg and a pineapple. Championships I we love it but If I could have came out on top. So we’re also trying one meal before I’m obviously capable to go to the I went away for Kat at the of doing it, it’s just 2011 Trampoline Olympics, so the competition that doing it when it really British Championships serious part of our would be it! counts! competition is the 20 21 Glasgow2011 Trampoline World Cup and Preview Tumbling World Championships - Team announcement British Trampoline team announced!

Alan Edge British Gymnastics has , British Gymnastics officially announced the Programme Director for Trampoline Trampoline gymnasts said, “With both squads – in particularly the Women - being so competitive in selected to compete for Great world terms, selection has been a nail- Britain at the 2011 World biting process which has produced Championships, taking place at some truly world class performances the NIA Birmingham, 17th-20th in order to just make the team. These gymnasts now have a genuine chance November. to both qualify for GB’s largest ever trampoline team for the Games but The Championships act as the first also to be in real contention for Worlds qualification event for the Olympic medals.” Games. To qualify for places in London, 2011 World Championships British gymnasts must either make the final (top 8) at the Worlds (where in Trampoline, two places per individual class are 2011 Trampoline World available) or, failing that, go on to the Championships team Double Mini Trampoline (DMT) Olympic Test event in January (where just one place is available per class). selection Men's Individual and Tumbling (TUM) British Gymnastics Olympic Tim Jones James Higgins Performance Director, : “As - NTGA 17th - 20th November 2011 we have progressed towards London Luke Strong – City of Liverpool 2012 we have been able to make some Jack Helme – City of Liverpool and significant performance gains across Nathan Bailey - OLGA the trampoline programme, with many of our athletes showing real podium Women's Individual 2011 World Age Group potential. We are pleased to be able Laura Gallagher – High Flyers to name such a strong team for this Emma Smith – City of Liverpool Competition* event, which will give us the best Kat Driscoll - Apollo chance of not only qualifying places for Bryony Page – AFTC Sheffield in Trampoline, the London Olympic Games, but also showcasing our exceptional talent in Men's Synchro Double Mini Trampoline (DMT) front of the British public.” Luke Strong/Nathan Bailey and Tumbling (TUM) Competition to make the British teams has been extremely tight with Women's Synchro 24th - 27th November 2011 two special trial events being run in Kat Driscoll/Amanda Parker Bath during August and September to Laura Gallagher/Bryony Page * Championships for junior gymnasts in age categories decide the final makeup of the teams. 11-12, 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18 years 22 23 xxxxxxx Club Feature

What an exciting time to be a member of British Gymnastics

To ensure that we all share the pride of being connected to our great sport in the lead up to London 2012, British Gymnastics is promoting a special campaign “I am BG” and is launching this exciting initiative to the community through the 2011-2012 membership pack and benefits.

Let’s get behind our Olympic athletes as they prepare to compete on the biggest stage of all and, in doing so, celebrate all achievements past and present that have contributed to the success of gymnastics in the UK.

Let’s start the ball rolling by having an ‘I am BG’ club feature on Swindon School of Gymnastics...

WE ARE... SWINDON SCHOOL OF GYMNASTICS

Swindon School of centre, opened by six time Gymnastics is a thriving club women’s artistic British Champion, from the South West of England, Becky Downie. The new providing trampolining and men’s room includes vital equipment and women’s artistic disciplines to to allow the club to expand and its members. The club has a long the gymnasts to progress further history and through the help of in their training and enjoyment endless support from volunteers of the sport. Olivia Howard it has become a centre that caught up with various members gymnasts and adults alike can of the club who are all involved in enjoy. March this year welcomed different capacities… the official opening of a new extension to the gymnastics 25 Club Feature

I AM A LOCAL HERO I AM A GYMNAST Alec Davis Izaac Turner “All our coaches and Alec is one of the original founders of Izaac is a men’s artistic provides so many opportunities. the club from some 35 years ago who helpers are volunteers gymnast who has been with My best moment so far has to has seen the transformation from the and have been for the the club throughout key be when a group of us went and very beginning to the present day. He stages of its development. trained in during the year describes himself as the ‘longest serving past 35 years” He can speak for all the of the 2008 Olympics. When I case in Swindon’ and now retired he is gymnasts when he says how first started, the club was based proud to see what has been achieved which enables us to put money back into much the new facilities at at the Oasis Leisure Centre and since the club began… the club. About a year ago we extended the club have helped in their now I can see how the new gym the gym to build a room with pits and training… with the extension has helped There used to be two clubs in Swindon; IZAAC TURNER other equipment. The new extension helps tremendously. All the new Park Gymnastics Club and Thames Down. gymnasts feel safer and achieve skills they I started gymnastics when I was equipment makes it so much Eventually both came together to make may not have been able to without it. My six, after watching others and easier to train moves we wouldn’t Thames Park. The reason we came together proudest moment is just seeing it all finished. became really interested as it’s have been able to before. It helps was because I mainly concentrated on boys I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was a little really different to other sports. to have a facility that is now on at one club and the other mainly on girls, so boy and so I have always been involved one The gym is really friendly, there’s par with other clubs so we can be it seemed to be the right thing to do. In those way or another. a great atmosphere. The club at our best before competition. days we used to work in three different centres, The Oasis Leisure Centre and two schools so we were spread right across Swindon. Almost “The coaches now have 7 years later we managed to get our own the facility to train the premises, and during this process we changed the name of the club to Swindon School of gymnasts from top to I AM A Coach Gymnastics, became a limited company and a registered charity, bottom and that is the Paul Turner key” Paul is a coach and a parent and is youngsters are really going to benefit OPENING OF THE grateful of how the new extension from it. NEW EXTESION has aided the gymnasts training…

I started getting involved in coaching when my son began training. It’s a very friendly club and, as parents, we used to help out at times with other coaches and for me it just went from there really. Now I coach up to five times a week, mainly the boys but helping out wherever I can. The improvement PROUD TO BE PART OF of our facilities have helped so much, there’s such a noticeable difference, BRITISH GYMNASTICS THE NEW the older boys are now leaving EXTENSION for college and university but the 26 27 Club Feature

I AM AN ADMINISTRATOR Kerry Reynolds

Kerry used to be a gymnast and now, alongside her mother Wendy, helps run the club. She aims to assist the club achieve its goals and is always looking to expand it further…

We are always aiming to increase membership to further expand the club. We provide men’s and women’s and we now have a trampoline that is sunk into the ground and run sessions for this discipline too. We do children’s parties as well which go down really well in addition to taster sessions for those interested in joining. We want everybody to enjoy our facilities.

TASTER GROUP SESSION BRITISH “It really is a family run gym club” GYMNASTICS MEMBER CAMPAIGN HAS ARRIVED!

KERRY AND WENDY WITH PROUD TO BE PART OF BECKY DOWNIE PROUD TO BE PART OF BRITISH GYMNASTICS BRITISH GYMNASTICS 28 29 The British Gymnastics Proficiency resources provide the foundation for developing high quality gymnastics skills and are used widely in clubs, schools and leisure centres. They comprise: pre-school, core, advanced, trampoline and cheerleading skills.

These inclusive and progressive resources have been developed by the coach and education professionals of British Gymnastics (the UK NGB) in consultation with expert practitioners and are designed for use by coaches and teachers. These resources are endorsed by the Association for Physical Education (afPE), underpin the teaching of gymnastics within the National Curriculum and can be used for both curriculum teaching and extended school provision.

» Provides a sound framework for the progressive development of core skills such as balance, strength, flexibility, co-ordination, fitness, pulse-raising activities » A DVD providing teaching examples » Rewards available in the form of badges, certificates and medal

Pre-school ONLY £14.99! » pre-school Suitable for pre-school children from 3 years » Built on the fundamental building blocks “A”,”B”,“C” - Action, Balance and Coordination » 40 activities and 3 levels of reward Includes Core ONLY £27.25! FREE » Suitablecore for children of primary school age and above Pre-School » Includes 10 types of activity and 8 levels of attainment with 40 work cards » Provides an excellent entry into first level competitions, including Key Step Advanced ONLY £32.25! »advanced Suitable for children of secondary school age and below » Offers a menu of activities including: Core Fitness, , Vault & Rebound, Apparatus, Pairs and Groups, Hand Held Apparatus, Dance and Aerobics » 3 levels of attainment with 75 work cards » Broadly underpins development work for Grades and National Development Plans Trampoline ONLY £14.99! » Suitabletrampoline for children of pre-school age and above » 15 levels of attainment with 27 work cards » Links into the Next Step Trampoline Competition Resource ONLY £27.25! cheerleading» Suitable for children from 5 years and above Includes » 9 levels of attainment with 44 work cards for Cheer and Pom Dance special » Links into the Next Step Cheerleading Competition Resource starter pack » Step by step development of choreography, vocals, jumps, tumbles, stunts and fitness » Developed in conjunction with the United Kingdom Cheerleading Association (UKCA)

For more information or to order contact: Gymnastics Enterprises Ltd, Unit 1, Lilleshall Hall Farm, Newport, Shropshire TF10 9AS Tel: 0845 1297129 ext 2355 Fax: 01952 822456 Or order direct on the British Gymnastics website - www.british-gymnastics.org Chalk Talk

by Jeff Davis

Yurchenko vault

Overview... The Yurchenko was invented by Natalia Yurchenko of the former USSR in the eighties. It is a highly effective vault as it allows a very strong strike position akin to a backflip on the top of the horse. Unlike the Tsukahara, to which it is related, the strike position is immediate from two hands and involves no twist.

The Yurchenko is a very useful vault for the gymnast who is not necessarily highly powerful but with good technique. Correct technique is essential to get the most out of the vault. It can develop up to double and double pike, and two and a half and triple twists. The technique is identical for men and women, so preparatory work is also identical.

There are many ways to develop this vault and lots of prep skills. Over the page is a method of developing the vault that I have used and it has proven to be highly successful. 33 Chalk Talk

Video Prep 1 Video Prep 3 The vault is obviously The next 3 preps take us dependent upon a strong on to ‘flicking’ on to a pile roundoff. This has to ensure of mats. The set up in the that the body arrives in video could be preceded the correct position for with a flic on to a flat pile of takeoff on the board. If the mats. The idea of the second shoulders don’t rise high platform is to ensure that enough they will have to be the gymnast understands ‘thrown’ backwards on take that the vault lifts up off the Video Prep 4 off, causing a number of Points of technique: hands and not down. The technical problems such as skills gradually progress u the back over arching and The body arrives on the board from landing on the knees straight. the knees rolling forwards. u to getting enough lift to On take off there is no movement of To this end take a look at the shoulders independent of the rest stand on two mats above the first video, to the right. of the body. the platform. u This is the first prep skill. The feet should arrive towards the end of the board and central.

Video Prep 2 Video Prep 5

Points of technique Points of technique: u This is the first time that the shoulders start u The take off and body positions are to move to create a strong arch. u the same as prep 1. The shoulders should be extended when the u The coach guides the gymnast to a hands reach the mat. u safe landing in shoulder stand. The body snaps up off the hands with the u The arms are raised on takeoff. chest lifting, the aim is to raise the shoulders rather than snapping the feet downwards. 34 35 Chalk Talk Conditioning Video 1 The next two videos show conditioning exercises relevant to the strike action. The second exercise could be started on a trampoline, then taken to a tumble run.

Conditioning Video 2

The final video shows the three final stages of preparation. With the horse at full height and sound track compliments of Jimi Hendrix! Conditioning Video 3 Points of technique:

u Straight somersault over the horse u Flic and lift over an obstacle, to ensure correct lift and strike u Straight Yurchenko

u During all these skills the head must stay in alignment u The strike position in the 2nd two skills is identical, with a fairly strong arch and the head in line with the body, not lifted u When the hands make contact the feet are still below the platform allowing for a very strong courbette action upwards u The shape change on strike is from arch to very slight dish

Finally, it is essential that sufficient time is given at each of a these stages for the gymnast to consolidate the skill. Too much haste will result in bad technique and inconsistency. 36 37 Round-up Round-UpSEPTEMBER 2011... 31st World Championships, Montpellier, France 19-25 September 2011 Keziah Gore – Coach Anni Ahmavaara, City of My Montpellier Canterbury R.G.C. “I enjoyed my first experience of the World Championships and was pleased experience... with my scores considering I was injured. To compete with the best in CLICK the world has inspired and encouraged me to continue and HERE to get better! My favourite of this World Championships is for full definitely Alina Maksymenko of .” results!

Francesca Jones – Coach Lisa Higgins, City of Birmingham G.C. Mimi-Isabella Cesar “These were my third World Championships, but it was the first time I have had – Coach Lisa Higgins, City of an opportunity to make an Olympic qualification because of the host country Birmingham G.C. place in London 2012, so there was much more pressure than at my previous “My first World competitions. Championships has been an amazing experience, it Although I scored higher than at the last year’s World Championships in , made me build my character I was disappointed with my World ranking and the team place. However, I was and inspired me to go further pleased that the team score improved compared to 2010. and dig deeper. I am pleased with the competition although my routines The best feeling was to know that I had ranked highest in the British team which were not perfect; it gives me something to means I now have the opportunity to be selected for the London Olympic Games work on. next year!! I need to work really hard now if I want to see my scores increase. I would like to thank British Gymnastics for I would like to thank everyone who has helped me on my journey so far, and I giving me this opportunity and can’t wait would love to see the profile of British Rhythmic gymnastics lifted through our to improve and strive to be a representation at the home Olympics next year!” better gymnast”. 38 39 Round-up

September saw two British Championships take places alongside some prestigious junior events and a number of key preparation events for elite gymnasts. Are you receiving the latest At the Men’s British Championships, Daniel Purvis was crowned the 2011 The British artistic news and updates from British champion. Having shared the girls prepared for the crown with Sam Hunter in 2010, Dan World Championships made certain of being the outright with a friendly against British Gymnastics? winner in a nail-biting competition. at Lilleshall. Led by the triple William Trood Frank Baines Brinn Bevan Beth , , World Champion on bars Loukas Jones Tweddle and took the age-group titles. the British girls won HERE'S HOW: The British senior squad followed this with the team event 1.55pts ahead of a friendly against Spain. The Spanish team their guests (229.45:227.90). THE GYMNAST beating Britain by just .350 at Basildon Daniel Keatings The current British Champion Sports Village, with topping Now redesigned in a fresh new digital format. Featuring scored highest event previews, interviews, videos and photos in a slick the all-around ranking with a score of 91.00 in the all-around (57.95). page turning version. Subscribe from the BG website to have each issue delivered straight to your inbox

Chloe Farrance GYMBLAST E-NEWSLETTER Bulmershe gymnasts Jaime Carter and took the 2011 Now sent electronically every Friday afternoon, the GymBlast is your weekly gymnastics news service from BG. British senior aerobic FIG titles after It provides the latest news, events and need-to-know a thrilling 3 days of non-stop action. information. Subscribe free of charge from the BG website. Chloe took the women’s title in her first year at senior level, while SOCIAL MEDIA Jaime retained his Earlier in the month England prevailed at Close to 20,000 fans are already receiving daily title from 2010. the Commonwealth Youth Games with the updates and news alerts as they break. What better way boys and girls teams of England taking to keep your finger on the pulse. Join us on Facebook and Twitter today. In trampolining, British Champion team gold at the Ellan Vannin Gymnastics Katherine trampoline gymnast Centre, Isle of Man. With three gold, one BGTV Driscoll silver and one bronze medal to his tally, the took the Salzgitter World Dominick Cup gold in Germany. Kat then 16-year old all-around winner Have you got an iPhone or iPad? You can now enjoy Cunningham BGtv content on these mobile devices. BGtv brings you Amanda Parker , from Earls GC, was the most teamed up with the best gymnastics videos, interviews and events from to take silver in the Synchro finals. successful gymnast in the competition. the world of British Gymnastics. While in Taunton the British youth team’s total of 1,079.30 points put While at the 2011 UK School Games the them just ahead of Germany’s 1,043.30 honours were shared between Wales and COMING SOON... England. The English boys dominated the after all gymnast scores were totalled Joe Fraser keep an eye out for live video streaming. Currently in a tightly fought match. Individually, team and all-around event. led being trialled at British Championships, this is a new Diana Rose Daniel McCaffrey and took the way to take the individual honours with and exciting addition to the BGtv product offering. Giarnni Regini-Moran Keep an eye on the BG website for more information. the gold’s for Britain in the under-15 teammates in silver Pamela Clark Nicole Hamish Carter events, whilst , and , bronze. The Welsh girls Short Emma Britton and secured the matched the English boys by sweeping up all the medals in the all-around and team top three in the under-18 girls with Angel Romaeo Daniel Fawcett events. was the individual grabbing the under-18 Raer Theaker winner with in silver and boys bronze. Keira Brennan FOLLOW US VISIT OUR WEBSITE... FOLLOW US ON taking bronze. ON FACEBOOK! TWITTER @ 40 WWW.BRITISH-GYMNASTICS.ORG BGMediaTeam Event Preview DAN KEATINGS 2011 Artistic Gymnastics World Coverage Tuesday 11 October

KRISTIAN THOMAS Women’s Team Final 1050-1310 Red Button / Online ChampionshipsTokyo (JPN) 7th-16th October Beth Tweddle 1300-1500 Two / Online Wednesday 12 October The 2011 World Championships Men’s Team Final act as the first qualification 0950-1240 Red Button / Online 1330-1530 Two / Online competition for places at the 2012 Men's team Olympic Games with the British Daniel Keatings - Huntingdon Thursday 13 October Daniel Purvis - Southport YMCA Women’s All Around Final teams aiming to finish in the top 8 - Earls 0950-1155 Red Button / Online – Huntingdon 1300-1500 Two / Online to qualify full teams to London. Max Whitlock – South Essex Ruslan Panteleymonov – Hinckley Friday 14 October The experienced British teams are headed by three Beth Tweddle MBE Sam Oldham – Huntingdon Men’s All Around Final time world champion , with Hannah Whelan Daniel 1050-1350 Red Button / Online current British champions and Purvis 1300-1500 Two / Online , Olympic bronze medallist Women's team Louis Smith and 2009 world all-around silver Beth Tweddle – Liverpool Daniel Keatings Saturday 15 October medallist amongst the 14 gymnasts DANUSIA FRANCIS Danusia Francis – Heathrow Individual Apparatus Finals selected. Hannah Whelan – Liverpool 0520-0830 Red Button / Online Tim Imogen Cairns – The Academy Two / Online British Gymnastics Olympic Performance Director 1630-1800 Jones Jennifer Pinches – Liverpool said: “We have made some strong progress Laura Edwards – Dynamo within both of our artistic programmes throughout Sunday 16 October Rebecca Downie – Notts the course of this Olympic cycle, proving that we British Gymnastics Individual Apparatus Finals 0550-0905 Red Button / Online can now be considered consistent medal contenders comprehensive 2011 Artistic 1600-1730 Two / Online on the world stage. This has been important as we Media Guide for the World continue to work to enhance the reputation of British Championships Gymnastics and enter the business end of our run featuring into the London 2012 Olympic games. We are very detailed qualification information Follow the action live clear that our priority for these Championships is and profiles of the British from Tokyo on Twitter!! gymnasts is available by to qualify both of our teams for London at this first @bgmediateam opportunity. From the way our preparations in recent clicking here weeks have gone and the quality of the gymnasts selected, we believe we have every chance of achieving this goal.” HANNAH WHELAN 42 LOUIS SMITH 43 Parting Shot... what’s results coming up! November Click on the event to October see results! 7-16 MEN’S & WOMEN’S ARTISTIC 5 GYMNASTICS FOR ALL results... 43rd World Championships, GymFusion Northern Ireland 2011 >> 2011 Men’s Artistic British Championships, Stoke-on-Trent Tokyo University of Ulster, >> 2011 Aerobic Gymnastics British Championships, Reading Co.Antrim 8-9 Rhythmic >> 2011 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships, Montpellier Round 1 Espoirs National Group League 5-6 WOMEN’S ARTISTIC >> Women’s Artistic International GBR v POR v ESP, Ipswich and National Open Individual Apparatus British Age Group Voluntary Finals 4, >> GBR v GER Youth Trampoline International, Taunton Championships 2011 3, 2 2011 Richard Dunn Sports Centre, Guildford Spectrum, Click on the event to Bradford Surrey reports... see report! 14 LONDON FESTIVAL OF GYMNASTICS 17-20 TRA/TUM/DMT 28th World Championshipss >> 2011 Men’s Artistic British Championships, Stoke-on-Trent Brentwood Centre, Brentwood National Indoor Arena, >> 2011 Aerobic Gymnastics British Championships, Reading Birmingham >> 2011 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships, Montpellier 22-23 Women’s artistic >> Commonwealth Youth Games, Isle of Man Bill Slater Club Team Championships 19-20 Women’s Artistic >> GBR v GER Youth Trampoline International, Taunton City of Newcastle Gymnastics Academy British Compulsory Level 2 Retake and WAG Challenge Cup Jnr/Snr 23 GYMNASTICS FOR ALL British Re Qualifiers GymFusion East Midlands 2011 Rushmoor Gym Academy, visit the New College, Hampshire photos... website to Leicester view... >> 19 GMPD by Alan Edwards 29-30 Rhythmic Rhythmic NDP Grades Falcon Spartak, British Gymnastics Official Photographer Round 2 Espoirs National Group League and Rhythmic Club Team Kent 2011 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships, Montpellier Championships 2011 LATEST 23-27 TRA/TUM/DMT 2011 Aerobic Gymnastics British Championships, Reading Walsall Sports Centre, IMAGES... West Midlands World Age Group Competition 2011 Men’s Artistic British Championships, Stoke-on-Trent National Indoor Arena, 30 GMPD Birmingham visit the website Artistic Championships 2011 to view... >> Rossmore Leisure Centre, 26-27 Rhythmic by DE Photo Poole Round 3 Espoirs National Group To access images, please contact the event organiser to League, National Group obtain usernames and passwords for each event. Championships and British Qualification Testing LATEST 2011 Men’s Artistic British Championships, Stoke-on-Trent Sport Wales National Centre, Sports-Alive were on hand to photograph the 2011 IMAGES... Cardif Aerobic Gymnastics British Championships - click here Keep checking www.british-gymnastics.org 44 for the latest results and reports 45