page revision date : Sunday 28th june 2009
Broad Haven Primary School gymnasts are in a class apart!
A Pembrokeshire primary schools gymnastic team is the best in Britain as the boys’ squad from Broad Haven Primary School came top in the Floor and Vault competition at the recent British Gymnastics Schools Championship held in Stoke on Trent.
It’s the first time in the 30 years of the championships that a Welsh team has won the competition, a feat made even more amazing by the small number of pupils at the village primary school. The youngsters beat off competition from hundreds of other UK schools - including squads from high profile public schools and sports academies.
Girls play their part, too
The school’s girls’ Floor and Vault team also came top in Wales and won through to the national finals - as did Byron Grey and Ben Bailey in the boys pairs Sports Acro.
In addition to the Broad Haven success, Britney Campbell-Lawrence, 9, from Prendergast School in Haverfordwest came second in the UK tumbling competition while fellow pupil Poppy Lewis was also a finalist in her age category.
Cllr Rob speaks in praise
“The youngsters did extremely well and we are all very proud of them,” said Councillor Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Sports Leisure and Tourism.
“They beat the best in Britain and it just goes to show that hard work and enthusiasm - coupled with top class coaching – can bring huge rewards.”
The Broad Haven squad, whose ages range from eight to 11, are all members of the school’s regular Tuesday after-school gymnastics club, run by head teacher Simon Thomas, and the club has around 18 regular members of all abilities.
Andrew and gym clubs help
A high percentage also attend either Milford Haven or Haverfordwest Gymnastics Clubs and, as a result, the standard at the school is very high. Prior to the championships the gymnasts were given extra training by gymnastics coach, Andrew Grey of the Milford Haven Club, another major step in their progress because Andrew is rightly regarded as one of the top coaches of junior gymnasts in Wales and further afield.
Head teacher Simon is delighted
“It’s a fantastic sport and the youngsters get so much out of it,” said Simon Thomas at the 135-pupil Broad Haven School.
“We would not have been able to achieve so much this year without the support of Milford Haven Gym Club and the expertise of Andrew Grey.
“Gymnastics improves their confidence and self esteem and even if a child does not take it forward to the competitive stage, it helps improve their posture and balance, which benefits all other types of sport.”
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