Exciting leap forward for Welsh gymnasts (From Barry And District News)

Exciting leap forward for Welsh gymnasts

Welsh Gymnastics is head over heels at the news that ten of its gymnasts have secured their place in Team GB's National Squads for the 2005/2006 season.

Making up a quarter of the British squad, Welsh representation has exceeded all expectation.

The Welsh contingent will take their first formative steps next month, when they join their British counterparts at training sessions to be held throughout the '05/'06 season.

In advance of the World and European Champion-ships, squad sessions offer perfect preparation and will undoubtedly give their selection chances a major boost.

Four future stars feature in the World Class Start Squad.

Joining gymnasts from across the country will be Team GB debutantes Lizzie Beddoe (Cardiff Central), Jessica Hogg (Cardiff Central), Theresa Ashley (Cardiff Central) and Francesca Grout (originally from Newport).

In the Potential Squad, Swansea's Jessica Gazzi will be flying the flag for Wales, and in the Performance Development Squad, two girls have been recruited to a British team of ten.

With support from the Sports Council for Wales' lite Cymru scheme, Cardiff's Lynette Lisle makes her return to the national squad.

Taking her place alongside the floor specialist will be Barry's Stacey Webb.

Leaving few places for the remaining home nations, three experienced Welsh gymnasts - who have also reaped the benefits of lite Cymru support - will take their places in a senior squad of eight.

Newport's Rhian Pugh, the Vale of Glamorgan's Sam Bayley and Chester's Melanie Roberts are all returning to GB squad for the second consecutive year, and this time around will be looking to impress selectors and progress to the World Championships in November.

And with their recent good run of good results, enlistment looks well within their reach.

The Welsh trio dominated proceedings at the British Championships in July - all finishing within the top five - with performances that left selectors in no doubt of their worth.

Welsh National coach Tracey Skirton isn't underestimating the significance of making it into the GB team.

"This is an important and exciting leap forward for them," she said.

"They will be training with gymnasts from the top clubs across the UK and gaining experience at every session.

"With some of the best coaches in Britain in attendance, it's a great chance for them to really develop their skills and progress."

October brings with it trials for the Commonwealth Games, where ten gymnasts will be gunning for the five available spots.

While the Welsh girls will be training as a unit with gymnasts from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, March will split the home nations when they compete against each other in Melbourne.