Heathrow Aerobic Gymnastics Club

Club Championships – Open and Closed
12th November 2005

It was with great pleasure that we welcomed Bulmershe, Klas and Waterside aerobics gymnastic clubs to Heathrow on the 12th November 2005 for our annual Aerobic gymnastics Club Championships. Unfortunately the competition kicked off late due to problems laying the wooden aerobics floor, but everyone was very patient and it certainly didn’t dampen spirits.

The competition started with the recreational (RAC) teams from Bulmershe. The first competitor for Heathrow was Francesca Sargood in the RAC National Development (ND) category. For Francesca and her team mates from Heathrow, Siana Williams, Ella de Cruz, Abbey Tweedle and Tyler Ansell, this was their first ever aerobic gymnastics competition and they certainly did the club proud taking all three podium positions: Tyler 1st, Francesca 2nd, Siana 3rd with Ella 5th and Abbey 6th only just behind. An excellent start for these young athletes!

The NAC competition followed. In the ND category, Emily Keane achieved a personal best score which took her flying into the 14s for the first time with 14.350 to claim the bronze medal. Eden Rigg unfortunately received a 0.2 deduction otherwise she too would have had her first 14 score – she came 8th with 13.950.

In the older NAC Group 1 category, Sian Hill continued her winning run taking gold again but it was medal success at last for Lauren Sargood, which brought the loudest cheers – pushed into fourth place on previous occasions by the narrowest of margins, this was Lauren’s day as she finally won a well deserved bronze medal.

The FIG rounds were last. The Group 1 category was closely fought with the 3rd, 4th and 5th places being decided on a count back, first to the execution scores and then to the artistic ones. Unfortunately, this meant that Heathrow girls, Vicki Chagger and Sophie Lewis, just missed out coming 4th and 5th respectively. Jenna Nola, Rosie Webster and Natalie Green all scored in the 15’s coming 8th, 9th and 11th respectively. The trio of Vicki, Rosie and Sophie were consistent, taking their fourth silver medal of the year!

Having watched Bulmershe take all three podium positions in Group 1, the tables were turned in Group 2 with Heathrow taking the top four slots. Stephanie Fois was 1st with 18.4, Siana Shipley 2nd, Jacqui Bamforth 3rd and Kirsty Banfield 4th. Siana, Kirsty and Jacqui also took gold in the trio category.

The evening concluded with some special club awards to:

Arthur Barton, parent for all his help and support to the club over many years

retired gymnasts, in recognition of all their achievements

Ria Cousins
Lorraine Shortland
Lauren Barton
Kerry Scotts

Sophie Lewis Most Improved Junior Athlete of the Year
Siana Shipley Most Improved Senior Athlete of the Year

Vicki Chagger Junior Athlete of the Year
Katie Cannon Senior Athlete of the Year

Thank you to Gary and Natalia for all their hard work organising the competition and to all the judges, volunteers, parents and gymnasts, without whom there wouldn’t have been a competition - we hope all our visitors enjoyed the event as much as we did! See you next year….

Report By Val Lewis