Date: Saturday 28th May 2016 - Sunday 29th May 2016 at Barclay Card Arena, Birmingham
Entries close: 2016-04-15
Entry ages: 7 years +
Cambridgeshire clubs made up a large contingent of the 63 entries from the East of England Team (Team East) taking part in the 3rd ever Regional Team Finals. The event brings together all the qualifiers from around Great Britain who have been competing regionally to achieve these finals.
The finals consist of 13 teams from every region in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and gymnasts compete in Trampoline, Double Mini Tramp (DMT) and Tumbling. In 2014, Team East were poorly represented in Trampoline and DMT and were placed last. In 2015, a larger team took part and we managed 5th in Trampoline and a very credible 3rd in DMT. In 2016, we took our largest team of trampoline and DMT gymnasts, totalling 63 of which 11 came from clubs in our area, 5 from Cambridge Cangaroos, 2 from Cambourne Comets and 4 from Rotations.
Two Cangaroos travelled up on the Friday evening for Orientation, along with club and Regional coaches, Tony Fagelman and Francoise Lucas. Macy Dexter was representing us in the Trampoline Level 2 Women 9-10 and despite the nerves of being the very first competitor of the day pulled out a satisfactory 1st routine and an excellent 2nd routine (once her nerves had settled). Macy’s final placing was 12th with a total score of 49.3.
Next up was Toby Chapman, competing in the Trampoline Level 3 Mens 11-12. Unfortunately, an error in both routines meant that Toby was placed in last place. Better luck next year. By the end of the Saturday, the East Region had won a clutch of medals and unconfirmed rumours had us in 1st place.
The long day was not over for the coaches as orientation for the Sunday gymnasts took place and after a 13.5 hour day on the competition floor, the coaches finally returned to their hotel rooms.
The next day dawned bright and sunny and our coaches and first competitors were at the NIA for an 8.00am start.
Sydney Kelly was first up that day for Cangaroos competing in the Trampoline Level 5 Women’s 13-14 group and with two excellent routines saw her take the silver medal with a total score of 50.6 from a very competitive and high scoring group of young ladies. With that score and placing, Sydney also qualified for the NDP British Championship Finals.
At lunchtime the rumour had Team East in 2nd place, and looking good for a top 3 finish. Everyone in the team was hopeful we could continue that form through the final session.
Last up for Cangaroos were Abhi Marlow-McDonald and Gabriel Strydom-Green in the Trampoline Level 6 Mens 9-12 year group. The boys have been competing against each other all season and there was great friendly rivalry between them. In the 1st routine Gabe was narrowly ahead of Abhi and they were lying in 1st and 2nd place. Two excellent routines from both boys saw them secure 1st and 2nd for the Region with Gabe taking 1st place with a total score of 50.7 from Abhi’s total score of 49.7. Both boys also qualified for the NDP British Championship Finals.
After nearly 20 hours of competition spread over 2 days, Trampoline East came away with a clutch of medals and we were delighted to take 1st place in Trampoline and become National Team Champions for the first time. This was an amazing achievement, given where we were just 2 years ago and Cangaroos was extremely proud to be part of that team.
We look forward now the NDP British Championship Finals which take place in Telford on 9th & 10th July. Cangaroos will have 4 gymnasts seeking individual glory and all 4 could come away with medals and possibly even become British Champions