Date: Saturday 6th July 2013 - Sunday 7th July 2013 at LG Arena, Birmingham
Entries close: TBC
Entry ages: 4 years +
As the glorious sun lit up the most important weekend of the Cangaroos competition calendar head coach Tony Fagelman roared into Saffron Walden to collect the new T-Shirts for the national finals competitors and officials. Despite worrying rumours from Sarah Burson, we were all relieved to see the shirts were in-fact green (not pink). As Tony drove up to Jagex to collect Ali and then Andrew from Peterborough; somewhere, far away to the north Luis was aiming to continue his record of being late to nationals. The team arrived at the LG Arena and met up with the Bursons ready for orientation along with competitors from all around the country. Luis eventually joined Ali, Andrew, Matt and Tony on the competition floor and the competitors got used to the trampolines.
As we left the arena for the day we were joined by the Burson support team as well as Luis and Ali's other halves; Susana and Tammy. As Matt and his family left for their hotel, the rest made their way to feast on some much needed Franky & Bennies. As Ali ate his own weight in ice cream and garlic bread much of our attention was turned to the tennis as Andy Murray qualified through to the Wimbledon final. Before we all left for the night Andrew was sure to contribute his inaugural innuendo to make the whole table erupt into uncontrollable laughter (Luis nearly choked). As the food was finished and Luis barely alive, the team made their way to the various hotels to get some sleep before the big day.
First up was Ali in the Over 19 National C competition. As he entered the arena the crowd noise was silenced by the Brigadier Lizz Kendon bellowing a roaring “COME ON ALI!”. She was sat in camp Cangaroos with Tammy, Susana, Kim, Harry and Taranne. The competition started but nerves got the better of Ali as his routines lacked the usual tight form and he sunk to 12th place. Following him was the high-flying Luis Pires who despite displaying his trademark running leg jump did better in the vol to narrowly miss the final round and finish 9th. With Tony’s free ticket to Sunday in jeopardy all attention turned to Matthew Burson in the Under 15 National C as he nailed his two routines and finished in second place and his place in the following day’s competition secured. Tony and Matthew’s beaming grin turned the day’s fortunes around as they marched out the arena.
For the rest of the day the team observed some fantastic DMT, tumbling and trampoline from the best trampolinists in the country. After a long day the team departed and we said goodbye to Lizz, Kim, Harry and Taranne as they journeyed home. Ali and Tammy departed for one of Ali’s Dad’s pub recommendations along with his Mum Jane Macrae. Despite doing excellent beer the newly discovered oasis of ale did not in fact offer food. A quick panic drive down the road was in order to satisfy the hunger.
The following morning saw the team head regroup for Matthew’s big moment. Despite enormous pressure he held his nerve and came 3rd – our first ever national finals medal! Well done Matt and Tony. The rest of the day was spent watching the ever impressive FIG A and FIG B competitors battle it out and they performed some truly exception routines. As the competition finished a very tired team Cangaroos made their way home as the completion season for 2012/2013 came to a close. Now we begin training the new big routines ready for the new competition structure of the 2013/2014 season. Watch out for the big new skills at the club competition at the end of this year.
A massive thanks to all our supporters; Tammy, Susana, Lizz, Kim, Taranne, Harry and the family Burson.