INTER REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - 23 June 2007
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!
South West rhythmic gymnastics has never had a better day!
On Saturday 23 June 2007, the South West won the ultimate title by becoming the INTER REGIONAL CHAMPIONS for 2007.
Judge and Bath coach Sarah Binding competed herself in this same competition 18 years ago, when she first became involved in rhythmic gymnastics. She started her Inter Regional career by being the smallest gymnast in the team, and over the years worked her way to the tallest, competing a massive eight times consecutively for her region.
“ We were always last in this competition in those days. It used to be a fight just to come one up from the bottom. I was always disappointed, and used to think that to win was unthinkable!”
Since finishing as a competitive gymnast herself, Sarah has gone on to develop Bath as one of the most successful clubs in the country. This year, along with fellow south west coach Deb Hows of Espirt Gymnastics, the region put together a team of gymnasts with huge talent and potential. The region was one gymnast down as Laura Halford of Esprit was away on international duties - a blow to the team as she is current under 10 British Champion. However, the region really pulled together as a team to achieve an amazing victory!
In the early stages of the competition the South West's scores were coming in very close to our main rival and last years champions, the South East. But as the competition progressed, Marnie Calwell (Bath) won her Under 12 Ball section with a score of 11.55 - a winning margin of almost two points that gave the South West a tremendous push up. Then Lynne Hutchison (Bath), won the Under 13 ribbon in 10.9, just a small margin ahead of the field. Francesca Fox (Bath) then came on and stormed the competition with a tremendous hoop routine, scoring a massive 13.258. The title was back in our sights!
The younger girls, Gabriella Caruso (Under 9), Alicia Veveris (Under 10 ) and Hannah Curtis (Under11) - all from Esprit - really put in good performances in the second round, with Gabriella and Alicia both winning golds in their sections! Evie Longshaw (Bath) did a very tidy routine in the Under 12 clubs, making few errors, and again the title looked close.
Lynne Hutchison (Bath Under 13), was determined to put in a fantastic rope performance after making mistakes last week in Canterbury, and she had her performance of the season so far - an outstanding rope routine that earned a tremendous 12.258. That was almost two marks clear of the rest of the field, and put the South West over the 100 point total!. Frankie Fox then came back on to perform a very well executed and cleanly performed ribbon routine, with exciting and dramatic choreography, that scored her 12.392 and put the South West clearly in front.
The final results were nail biting, as girls from the other regions had also putting in many strong performances. The West Midlands and Scotland haad each won seven individual medals, and the South East and South West had both taken eight. So now it was all down to the points!
Finally, the totals were announced. Scotland had 110.925, the South East 112.575, and the South West 121.892 - a huge 8.892 point difference to make the South West the INTER REGIONAL CHAMPIONS of 2007!
It’s been a long time coming! But at last we are the CHAMPS! We are so pleased and proud to be Best Region 2007!!!!!!!!!!
Well done to all the gymnasts, coaches, clubs and judges invlolved!