Weston Aerobic Gymnastic Club saw several members pick up the title of British champions at the British Aerobic Gymnastics Championships.

WESTON Aerobic Gymnastics took a strong squad of gymnasts to the British Aerobic Gymnastics Championships in Reading.

Aerobic gymnastics is perhaps the most dynamic, exciting and energetic of all the gymnastic disciplines. Aerobic routines are not only great fun to train and compete but also to watch.

The club’s international gymnasts competed in qualifications and the club were delighted when both 12-14-year-old gymnasts Amelia Barrett and Keira Landen made the finals in a large category of talented gymnasts, meaning that all the clubs international gymnasts would be competing for the title of British champion the following day.

Stepping up to the mark for Weston and competing for the first time in the junior male individuals was Matt Saunders, who showed power, maturity and strength to get a superb 18.550 and a well-deserved title of British champion.

An hour later, Matt stepped out onto the competition floor once again, this time with long-term partner Abi Butterfield. This experienced pair again produced a clean and stylish routine to become mixed pair junior British champions.

The younger partnership of Rhys Williams and Keira Landen had to settle for silver in the age 12-14 pairs event, with Rhys also collected the title of reserve champion in the male individuals.

Although the pair has had great international success, being the top placed of all GB gymnasts at the World Age Group Championships, this time it wasn’t their day, and they had to be content with second place.

The squad again produced the goods in the national level gymnasts, winning several categories and medalling in most sections entered.

In the 15-17 year age group, Weston’s team of Olivia Barratt, Cara Short, Jade Hunt, Kat Forster, Dani Lintern and Courtney Hewett finished the year in style, with a powerful and crowd pleasing routine than won the gold medal with a comfortable lead.

Barratt, Hunt and Forster also won the gold medal in the trios, with Barratt retiring from competing now to concentrate on her coaching at the club. This was a superb end to a great gymnastics career, and the club look forward to her passing on her skills.

The 12-14 age group also saw many medals collected, the six team of Grace Maggs, Lucy Williams, Lucy Clarke, Lara Hunt, Katy Tossell and Cally Bullock managed to finish the year by adding another gold to their collection.

Clarke and Bullock also worked hard to win the silver medal in the trios, and team-mates Lucy Williams and Maggs won a well-deserved silver in the pairs.

Age 10-11 year old pairs Isi Vucicevic and Taylor Drewer produced a clean and polished routine to win the pairs event, with Vucicevic getting the bronze medal, in one of the largest categories of the day.

The weekend was rounded off with Weston’s own Jessica Taylor being presented with British Gymnastics Young Volunteer of the Year Award, for her work in gymnastics.

Being a voluntary club, Weston are always looking for funding, so it was with great pleasure that they received a cheque from Nick Daglish, who walked from Weston to Scotland to raise funds for the club, and for a charity close to the clubs heart - STARS - a charity that helps people to deal with blackouts and seizures.

All the clubs gymnasts are now preparing for their annual gala to be held at Broadoak Mathematic and Computing College on October 20.