GYMNASTICS: Kettering gymnasts star at the Regionals

Kettering Gymnastics Club came away with eight regional champions as they club compete in the Regional Championships at New College in Leicester.
The Kettering Gymnastics Club members who enjoyed success at the Regional Championships. Back, from left: Naomi Wright, Kallie Walker, Amber Spencer, Melodie Larvor, Erin Bailey. Front: Amlie Mudd, Amelia HandyThe Kettering Gymnastics Club members who enjoyed success at the Regional Championships. Back, from left: Naomi Wright, Kallie Walker, Amber Spencer, Melodie Larvor, Erin Bailey. Front: Amlie Mudd, Amelia Handy
The Kettering Gymnastics Club members who enjoyed success at the Regional Championships. Back, from left: Naomi Wright, Kallie Walker, Amber Spencer, Melodie Larvor, Erin Bailey. Front: Amlie Mudd, Amelia Handy

Naomi Wright entered the Senior Challenge Level (age 16 and over) and won a gold medal on all pieces to become the Senior Regional champion.Club-mate Erin Bailey was in action in the same category and finished third on all pieces an all around.In the Junior Challenge competition (ages 14 and 15), Melodie Larvor completed some new upgraded routines successfully and became Regional Junior champion on bars and floor while finishing the competition in second place.Both Kallie Walker and Rhianna Pyne competed in the Espoir Challenge competition (ages 12 and 13) with the former having two very strong vaults to earn a silver medal.Pyne enjoyed a brilliant competition, medalling on all pieces.She was third on vault, second on bars, third on beam and second on floor and that consistency ensured she was crowned the Espoir Regional champion.Level Two gymnasts Amber Spencer and Amelia Handy had another strong competition with lots of new skills being performed.The former was second on the vault while the latter took third in the bars and second on floor.Amélie Mudd was crowned Regional Level Three champion as she completed all routines soundly while also finishing third on bars.As a result of their success, it means five gymnasts (Naomi Wright, Melodie Larvor, Rhianna Pyne, Kallie Walker and Amelia Handy) have qualified for the National Challenge Cup competition in Guildford over the weekend of November 9.Along with this competition, the club have also also had some gymnasts called up to represent the East Midlands at National and International competitions, also in November.Wright, Larvor and Pyne make up three members of the team of four for the National Bill McLoughlin competition.Wright, Larvor and Handy, meanwhile, will also represent the East Midlands in the Sandra Clarke International competition in Nottingham, which will see teams from France, Scotland and England taking part. Kettering head coach Rebecca Purcell said: “The success is down to the hard work, commitment and dedication of the gymnasts.“Increasing their training hours at the start of the year has made a positive impact on their work ethic, enabling them to spend more time on getting the more difficult skills competition ready.“This has definitely paid off with the recent success seen at the Regional Championships. Well done to all the girls.”