Nottingham gymnasts explain secrets behind winning British Team Championships

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The girls with their trophy.

The girls balance their gymnastics with school.

By Henry Green

A talented group of Sherwood gymnasts say they ‘couldn’t do’ the sport without each other after becoming British team champions.

The Robin Hood Gymnastics Club elite girls team won the competition on October 12 at the British Championships.

The team – made up of gymnasts Tilly Wright, Grace Davies, Leasha Pengkerego-Ravenscroft, Bethany Rayment and Mabelle Dawson – are trained by head coach Jemma Wilson and Fred Voortman out of the gym on Ellesmere Crescent.

The team were crowned champions with a score of 149.20 at the Senior British team championships in Staffordshire’s Fenton Manor Sports Complex.

Now all eyes are set on the future, including a potential push for the Olympics in 2028.

Tilly, who helped the team win in Stoke, said: “After the British teams we thought we did well and we were really happy with where we came.

Tilly also added that the group had become a community. She said: “I don’t think I could do gymnastics without these girls.”

The girls doing their warmup.
The girls doing their warmup.

Mabelle, 17, said: “The hardest part is probably the risk that it could go wrong and it’s one moment to get it all right in front of everyone as well.”

Grace also added: “I feel like you can train as much as you can but nothing prepares you for the stress of a competition. The coaches are always there for you so that helps.

“It’s been my life since day one and just the thought of flipping and hoping that you land on your feet is the best feeling,” she said.

Fellow gymnast Bethany, aged 16, added: “At first we didn’t think we were winning but when we found out, we were really excited.”

The gymnasts had been training for months with the girls describing how preparation had been more mentally challenging.

Grace said: “The run-up to the competition was very stressful for all of us, there was times where we cried together but then there was times where we laughed together.”

Gymnastics coach Jemma Wilson and Fred Voortman.
Jemma Wilson and Fred Voortman coached the girls to a win.

Speaking on how it felt to win, head coach Jemma Wilson, from Bestwood, said it was a “nice experience” for the club.

“The competition was really successful as a club we were really proud of it,” she added.

“I just love to teach the kids not only gymnastics but just life skills discipline, team spirit and working hard for something you want to achieve.

“I’m a real advocate for sport at any age hence why here we start from zero, we have babies coming in right up to adults.”

The girls added that they “dream” of being at the next Olympics held in Los Angeles, California from July 21 to August 6 2028 and are “hopeful” of Team GB.

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