CLUB NEWS
11th December 2011:Success for Monarchs at the Acrobatic and Tumbling British Tournament, Fenton Manor
The Monarch's Men's Four Acro Gymnasts, Sean McKenna, Connor McKenna, Jacob Baker and Joseph Blake, return wearing gold medals from The Acrobatic and Tumbling British Open Tournament last weekend. After qualifying for the finals held on Sunday with a combined total score of 51.4 they gained a fantastic 26.9 points for their final balance routine, complemented by a high artistry score. The boys are growing from strength to strength and this time next year will be performing at Junior level where the demands for their acrobatic ability will be at a very high level.
Over 101 partnerships consisting of Pairs, Mixed Pairs, Men's Groups and Women's Trios, all of different age groups and abilities competed against each other within their categories during two full days of competition. Thirty nine clubs from all over England, Scotland and Wales and International Clubs from USA and Canada enjoyed a weekend of exhileration and entertainment as they competed and performed to a sold out audience.
Women's Trio Sophie McArdle, Emily Shortland and Katie Hoskins also competed in the Junior category running in 7th place out of 16 after a confident Balance routine looking to qualify for the finals on Sunday. Unfortuneately due to a fall at the end of their Tempo routine, did not manage to qualify and gained 49.65 points overall.
Recently formed Women's Trio Crystal Hale, Ellie Cater and Mulberry Watkins, also competed at Junior Level. It was Mulberry's first time at Fenton Manor where the British Competitions are held. The girl's performed two excellent routines in Balance and Tempo gaining an overall mark of 49 points however, due to the Junior category being of a very high standard, were also unable to qualify for the finals.
Sunday's competition was filmed live by BGTV found on the British Gymnastics site on line, where all the routines and coverage for the day can be viewed. An enjoyable weekend enjoyed by all, with some fantastic results!!
10th & 11th July 2011:
MONARCHS GYMNASTS of Highbridge SHINE AT SOUTHWEST CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Excellent routines produced the medals yet again for MONARCHS after a series of competitions for the South West Championships these last few weeks.Seventeen Clubs from all over the South West Region competed against each other producing fun packed weekends full of Acrobatics.
In Sherborne, Caitlin Gary and Shauna Cross competed at Grade One Out of Age, displaying a stunning routine and gained the Gold Medal!
Charlie Dymond and Joe Reed performed a routine to be proud of and qualified for the Silver Medal after being together only a short while.
Billy and Lennon Slater competed at Prep B level winning a Silver Medal for their clean routine.
Leonie Warburton, Ellie Petrie, Chloe Hayes and Caitlin Cross also competed and qualified within the top 17 out of 30 partnerships.
An excellent achievement for the younger gymnasts!
In Taunton, we saw the higher level gymnasts compete, yet again more medals were won!
Shannon House and Molly Hayes gained a Bronze Medal in Grade 2 Out of Age for a lovely performance.
Jazmine Bassett, Emily Woolley and Sian Coogan, newly formed partnership, Jazmine and Emily only recently coming down as bases after finishing as high level tops, gained the Bronze Medal in Grade 3 Womens Groups, performing two well executed routines.
Men's Four Sean and Conor McKenna, Jacob Baker and Joseph Blake again struck Gold in the 11-16 category Men's Groups.
Newly formed partnership in the Junior Women's Groups, Sophie McArdle, Emily Shortland and Katie Hoskins executed an exciting Tempo routine, gaining the Silver Medal.
The 11-16 Womens Groups proved to be a very exciting category, Crystal Hale, Mulberry Watkins and Ellie Cater, again newly formed partnership, scored the highest from the club of 51.75, coming 5th overall, a fantastic achievement for Mulberry, being her first higher level competition.
Madeline Rose, Heather Reed, Rebecca Slater, Casey House, Eloise Baker, Victoria Prior, Georgia Smith, Holly Grainger, Alice Dymond, Natasha Stockham, Tallulah Harris, Emma Dymond, Alice Kelston, Natalie Hughes, Megan Lewis, Emily-Kay Smith, all completed beautiful routines.
The last 6 months has seen alot of changes with the partnerships within the Club. The Gymnasts now have the next four months of serious training ready to compete in the British Tournament in Stoke on Trent in December.
6th June 2011:
DEDICATION PAYS OFF AND MONARCHS CELEBRATE AGAIN!
Weeks of training proved to be successful again for the Monarchs Gymnasts. Four competitions have been conquored within the last couple of months including, Novice and Prep A and B Prelims and Finals held in Sherborne and Southampton respectively.This was the first competition for Shauna Cross, Lennon Slater, Billy Marshall and Ellie Petrie. Shauna competed in a Womens Trio with Emily Woolley and Jazmine Bassett. The girls thoroughly enjoyed their routine, qualified for the finals and came 8th overall. Shauna also competed in a mixed pair with Charlie Dymond, where they came 6th overall after completing a lovely, fun routine.
Mens Pair Lennon and Billy claiming their first Bronze medal after a very enthusiastic first routine. 'All the gymnasts did really well and all their hard work paid off. Most of them competing in their first competition.' reported Lennon's very proud Mum.
Womens pair Leonie Warburton and new partner Ellie qualified for the finals in Southampton, where they enjoyed their final performance.
Head Coach Tony Merrett with Charlie, Emily, Jazmine, Leonie, Ellie, Shauna, Lennon and Billy
The Southwest National Developmental Prelims held in Taunton produced 4 gold medals for Monarchs. Qualifying the four partnerships to represent the South West region at the NDP finals held in Stoke on Trent. Day one of the finals saw all six gymnasts that competed come home with medals. Grade 3 Men's pair Sean McKenna and Joseph Blake finished in third place coming away with well deserved Bronze medals after two great clear routines.
Grade 3 Mens Four Sean McKenna, Conor McKenna, Jacob Baker and Joseph Blake finished in second place, gaining Silver medals, after competing in a very competitive category.
Grade 4 Womens pair, Sophie McArdle and Sian Coogan gained a Silver medal as a result of two years of training together. A delighted Sian's Mum reported ?What a great haul of medals!! Sophie and Sian have worked hard for this so it was nice for them to finish on a high. They have had a great time over the past 2 years but are now moving on to different partnerships.?
Sophie and Sian - Balance Routine
Day 2 saw Grade 1 Mens pair Jacob Baker and Joe Reed perform a confident routine gaining a score of 23.650 however, they were up against some really tough competition and came 8th overall. This was Joe's first time at Fenton Manor 'Joe doesn't seem to get phased with competing at all!' said proud Mum, Leslie Reed.
There have been various partnership changes this year within the club. All of whom are religiously training in preparation for the South West Competition in Taunton to be held in July.
20th March 2011:
GYMNASTS RETURN HOME WITH SMILES AND GOLD!
Monarch's Acrobatics Gymnasts return home very happy after competing in the Maia International Acro Cup Gymnastics Competition in Portugal last week. Gymnasts from 8 different countries from all over the world, competed for the best places on the podium. The event was televised locally and could be watched live on the internet.Fabulous Gold Medals for the Men's Four Sean McKenna, Conor McKenna, Jacob Baker and Joseph Blake. They executed three superb routines, achieving excellent scores, showing confidence and smiling throughout.
Age Group Women's Pair, Emily Shortland and Katie Hoskins performed very confidently, scoring high scores for their Balance routine and despite a small deduction for their Tempo, qualified for the finals on Sunday, where they came 6th overall. The pair have only been training together since January so were very pleased with their results and look forward to The British Acrobatic Competition next week in Stoke on Trent.
Juniors Women's Pair, Sophie McArdle and Sian Coogan were running 7th after a very smooth balance routine and combined scores with their Tempo also qualified for the finals where they maintained their position and came 7th overall. An excellent achievement as Sian was one of the youngest competitors.
Age Group Women's Trio Poppy Broom, Tallulah Harris and Mia Rowlands, also a new partnership and first time for Poppy and Tallulah competing in a large International Event were running a fantastic 13th after their Tempo routine, almost qualifying for the finals. Competing internationally, against high level gymnast showed the gymnasts the level they can expect to achieve.
Junior Women's Trio Lauren Jarrett, Crystal Hale and Ellie Cater still manage to compete in one of the hardest categories, despite a knee injury to Lauren, sustained during training the day before the competition started. Dedication and committment shone through as they performed their routines, however, not quite managing the finals. The Trio are also looking forward to the British Acrobatic Competition next week.
Monarchs gymnasts would like to thank 'Howards Group' of garages for sponsoring their team polo shirts for the event, and is always grateful of any sponsorship from local businesses.
1st March 2011:
'MEDAL AFTER MEDAL FOR MONARCHS ACRO GYM CLUB!'
Gymnasts are still buzzing after an exhilarating weekend competing in the South West Prelims Acrobatics Competition held in Taunton last weekend. Twenty clubs from the South West area all came together competing for medals and Monarchs proudly claimed 3 Golds 2 Silvers and 1 Bronze medal.Men's Four Sean McKenna, Conor McKenna, Jacob Baker and Joseph Blake continue to go from strength to strength as they claimed Gold in Grade 3
Sean McKenna and Joseph Blake also claimed Gold in Grade 3 Men's Pairs after performing two solid routines, with almost maximum difficulty.
Sophie McCardle and Sian Coogan claimed their first Gold Medal for their partnership in Grade 4 Women's Pairs from their many hours of hard training.
Jacob Baker and Joe Reed complimented each other in their routine and celebrated a Silver for Grade 1 Men's Pairs.
Emily Shortland and Jazmine Bassett proudly received Silver in Grade 3 Women's Pairs after working within the partnership for only a few weeks, and Chloe Sadiq, Emily Shortland and Emily Woolley won a well deserved Bronze for two well executed routines. Poppy Broom, Shannon House and Mia Rowlands performed their routines fluently, with high difficulty and gained 5th place overall.
All Gold medal winners from the competition will be forming the South West Team to represent our area for the finals in Stoke on Trent in May.
Head Coach and Club Manager Tony Merrett commented, 'It was a great weekend for the Club, and it's all down to the hard work of the Gymnasts, Coaches, helpers and not forgetting the support of the parents. ' For some of the gymnasts this was their first competition, training between 11 and 18 hours a week, building up strength and flexibility, enhancing their confidence to compete in front of hundreds of people. Grade 1 category was very popular with over 48 partnerships providing fierce competition for all and the dedicated work of Monarchs shone through. The Club is very proud of all it's gymnasts. This is the first of many competitions this year.
Fourteen of the Elite Gymnasts compete in Maia Portugal this weekend representing United Kingdom.
7th October 2010:
OUTSTANDING RESULTS FOR MONARCHS ACRO GYM CLUB
Once again the dedicated training of Monarch's Acrobatic Gymnasts paid off, producing results to be proud of.Sixteen Clubs entered 'The South West Acrobatic Championships 2010' held in Taunton in July, competing against each other, resulting in an exciting weekend of Acrobatics. Monarchs scooped medals in the following categories.
Men's Four, Sean and Conor McKenna, Jacob Baker and Joseph Blake gained Gold Medals, continuing to develop both their Tempo and Balance Routines at each competition.
Men's Pair Sean McKenna and Joseph Blake gained a well deserved Silver Medal having now progressed to Grade 3. All Monarch's gymnasts in the Women's Group Junior category qualified to the finals. Lily Lawson, Nicole McCardle and Nicole Coogan gaining overall Bronze Medals and Chloe Sadiq, Emily Shortland and Mia Rowlands gaining overall Silver medals after training for only a short while together.
Lauren Jarrett, Chystal Hale and Ellie Cator just missed out on the Bronze Medal in the 11-16 Women's Group category, where all partnerships competed at a very high standard. Holly Grainger and Conor McKenna demonstrated a lovely clean routine in their Mixed Pair category and came 4th out of 8 overall.
Tallulah Harris and Holly Grainger competed against 30 other partnerships and gained a well deserved 13th place.
The South West Championships 2010 saw the 'retirement' of Ashley Payne a longstanding member of Monarchs Club after 11 years of committment and training with the club, competing both at National and International Level and also competing for trials at European Level. Ashley and his partner Katie Hoskins concluded their partnership achieving Junior Mixed Pairs Champions, gaining well deserved Gold Medals after qualifying for the finals and completing their best combined routine to date!
Training continues over the next 4 months in preparation for the British Acrobatic Tournament in November.
5th July 2010:
BUDDING YOUNG GYMNASTS BRING HOME GOLD FOR MONARCHS
Sunday 4th July 2010 saw some of the Monarchs Acro Gymnastics Club compete in the South West Championships in Sherbourne. Leoni Warburton, Natalie Hughes and Emily -Kay Smith performed a flawless routine to claim the gold medal in the Prep B Novice Trio catagory along with Jacob Baker and Joseph Reed Prep B Mens Pair, also claiming the gold medal after displaying a confident routine to be proud of.Our youngest gymnast Bailey Morgan aged 6 and Charlie Dymond performed a lovely clean routine and claimed the silver medal, this was their first competition together entering the Prep B Mixed Pair category. Amber Morgan watched with tears of joy " They both did so well and did everything just right, I'm a very proud Mum".
In the Grade 1 Womens Pairs, Alice Dymond and Jess Svensonn looked very strong on the floor together being placed 12th and Chloe Hayes and Heather Reed enjoyed their routine in the category.
Kaye Smith a parent supporter said " I am just so proud today... this is a real acheivement for the club's younger gymnasts. To bring home these medals is just fantastic. It shows that their hard work in training and dedication to the sport is already paying off. The huge smiles on their faces says it all.
The Monarchs will be straight back into training as next weekend sees our older gymnasts competing in the South West Championships in Taunton. Good Luck to them all.
8th June 2010:
BRITISH SCHOOLS CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to brothers Sean and Conor McKenna, Acrobatic Gymnasts from Monarchs Gymnastics Club Highbridge, based at King Alfred School, who have been declared BRITISH SCHOOLS CHAMPIONS!The boys represented the South West Region and had previously won a place in the team to compete in the regional finals, held in Stoke-on-Trent in May, gaining first place in the Over 13 Boys Pairs and winning Gold Medals. They competed against six other pairs in their category achieving a clear win. This result adds to the many successes of the sports acro club so far this year.
Sean and Conor McKenna proudly sporting their medals
31st May 2010:
BRONZE AND GOLD AT NATIONAL REGIONAL FINALS IN STOKE ON TRENT
Seven members of the Burnham-On-Sea Monarchs Gymnastic Club are celebrating success after all winning medals at the Regional NDP Finals Competition in Stoke, in May.'International 1' Trio, Nicole McArdle, Lily Lawson and Nicole Coogan gained a well deserved bronze medal. After their Dynamic Routine, the girls were sitting in 4th place with over 2 points behind the 3rd place competitors. The girls went out to perform their 2nd routine which was Balance and completed a nice clean routine which put them finishing in 3rd place overall.
The Grade 3 'Mens Four' , Sean Mckenna, Connor Mckenna, Jacob Baker and Joseph Blake performed two very good routines gaining them gold medals and giving them the title of National Champions.
Helen Coogan, one of the parents who spent the weekend in Stoke with the gymnasts said, �It�s great for them all to come home with medals. It makes all the hard work that they put in training for over 17 hours a week seem worthwhile. The club should be very proud of them all��.
Both categories were filmed live by BGTV and can be viewed on line.
2nd May 2010:
Inter-Regional Prep B, Level 1 and Novice Groups Team Competition in Southampton
Cheers of joy for the Monarchs Acrobatic Gymnastics Club again as 7 young Gymnasts return from the Inter-Regional Prep B, Level 1 and Novice Groups Team Competition held in Southampton last weekend, bringing home more medals! They had already competed earlier in March, where they qualified to represent the South West Team, in the competition.Natalie Hughes, Leonie Wurbarton, Emily-Kay Smith forming the Woman's Trio in Prep B section competed against nine other partnerships and won silver medals, after displaying a routine to be proud of.
Conor McKenna and Charlie Dymond just missed out winning Bronze and came 4th in the finals in Grade 1 Men's Pairs and Jacob Baker and Joseph Reed came 5th overall in the finals in Prep B Men's Pairs.
The South West Team won the Bronze Shield for coming third overall. Below is a photo of the Gymnasts and their coaches Tony Merrett and Mandy Wurbarton.
16th April 2010:
British Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships 2010
Eight members of the Monarch Acro Gymnastics Club, Highbridge and their coaches return from The British Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships 2010 in Stoke on Trent. They competed against over 250 gymnasts from some of the top clubs in Britain. Overall 28 clubs entered into the five categories of the competition, resulting in a two day spectacular event.Hollie Hoskins, Crystal Hale and Emily Woolley entered the 11-16 Woman's Trio. This was the girl's second competition together having trained for only 4 months. They performed two clean routines in tempo and balance and are looking to grow from strength to strength. 'It was an amazing experience for us to compete with such high level gymnasts, some had even competed in the World Championships last year.'
Abby MacArdle, Georgia Green and Jazmine Bassett entered the Woman's Junior Trio. This proved to be a highly competitive category and despite a confident Tempo routine, their Balance routine didn't provide them with enough marks to reach the final on Sunday.
Ashley Payne and Katie Hoskins entered the Junior Mixed Pair category. Competing against previous European Champions, nerves were running high. Their Balance routine put them in 4th place and after surviving a nasty fall during their Tempo routine just managed to qualify for the finals on Sunday, where they came 5th overall.
British Gymnastics Television were there to film the highlights of the event.
Click here for link to televised events, including Monarchs trio
3rd April 2010:
South West Prelims 2010
Recently, over 30 members of the Monarch's Acro Gymnastics Club travelled to Taunton to compete in the South West Prelims 2010 against 25 other clubs from the South West Region.Competition was again of a very high standard with new partnership Alice Dymond and Jessie Svensson gaining 8th place out of 34 competitors with their Grade 1 woman's pair routine and Grade 1 men's pair, Conor McKenna and Charlie Dymond just missing out on a Bronze medal for their routine.
Congratulations go to Grade 3 Men's Pair Sean McKenna and Joseph Blake gaining a well deserved Silver Medal and again the Grade 3 Men's Groups Sean McKenna, Conor McKenna, Jacob Baker and Joseph Blake scoring well to earn the Gold Medal and qualifying to represent the South West in the NDP Finals to be held in Stoke on Trent later in the year.
Competing for the Club in the Tumbling was Crystal Hale who just missed out on the bronze medal gaining 4th place out of 17 in the National Level 1.
This is the second of many competitions held this year and the dedication and training of the Monarch's Gymnasts and coaches are already reaping in the rewards!
24th Mar 2010:
SILVER CUP AND GOLD MEDALS FOR MONARCHS ACRO GYMNASTICS CLUB
Twenty Two members of Monarchs Acro Gymnastics Club return from Portugal after competing in the Maia International Acro Cup 2010 this month. Twenty two delegations from nine different countries including Russia, competed together resulting in an exciting, stimulating competition, illustrating elite level actrobatic gymnastics at its best. Families were able to watch the gymnasts live on the internet, local TV and journalist were also present.
Monarchs were represented by two teams. Age Group Team including woman's pair Sian Coogan and Sophie McArdle, Men's Group Sean McKenna, Conor McKenna, Jacob Baker and Joseph Blake and Woman's Trio Hollie Hoskins, Crystale Hale and Emily Woolley. Junior Team including three trios; Abby McArdle, Georgia Green and Jazmine Bassett, Nicole McArdle, Lily Lawson and Nicole Coogan, Lauren Jarrett, Emily Hodder and Ellie Cator and Mixed Pair Ashley Payne and Katie Hoskins.
Sophie and Sian whilst demonstrated two clean routines were disadvantaged with a height penalty and were 9th overall. Hollie, Crystal and Emily have only been training three months as a trio and were running 6th after their tempo routine, however, due to nerves running high dropped to 14th overall. Sean, Conor, Jacob and Jo continue to go from strength to strength and gain yet another gold medal for their tempo and balance routines.
Competition was of a very high standard in the Juniors section both Abby, Georgia and Jazmine and Nicole, Lily and Nicole managed to maintain their positions of 5th and 6th place respectively with their routines qualifying for the finals on the Sunday and again finishing 5th and 6th place overall. Lauren, Emily and Ellie just missed out on the finals, qualifying 9th overall. Mixed Pair Ashley and Katie qualified for the finals, however, lost a high deduction with their combined routine and qualifed 6th overall. The total score gained by the Junior Team won them the Team Silver Cup overall.
Many parents supported the Teams in Portugal. 'Watching the Gymnasts in action fills you with pride. There's often a sharp intake of breath and you watch them somersault through the air! Competing in an International competition like in Portugal provides a wealth of valuable experience for the gymnasts, where they can see for themselves what is expected at elite level.'
Click here to see photos
Anyone who would like more information about the club please contact:
Tony Merrett - Head Coach
Telephone:
Home: 01278 793457
Mobile: 07763806557
Email: tonymerrett@talktalk.net
web design: Julia Richards