YMCA Barry are extremely proud of the gymnastic clubs accomplishments at the end of 2015, by the gymnasts, coaches and volunteers alike.

They currently have over 600 members participating in a range of gymnastic activities, including gymnastics for preschool children, classes for boys and girls and rhythmic gymnasts. Their gymnasts training varies from one hour a week to 20 hours a week depending on their gymnastic level.

Sammi Morgan, age 11, who is a part of the Male Elite Squad qualified to represent Wales at the 2015 Men’s Elite Grade Finals for Under-11’s. Sammi competed against the best in Britain and along with Welsh team mates, won team gold for Wales.

This is the first team gold medal Wales has ever won at the elite grading championships. To everyone’s delight Sammi also place third in the Physical Preparation Programme out of all the competitors in Great Britain. This programme is designed to test the gymnast’s strength and flexibility ready for when they progress to more senior levels of competitions.

Dex Trivett also had an excellent outing in the British Under-14’s Championships who placed 12th in Great Britain out of 60 competitors. Dex also increased his score by six whole marks from his previous competitors demonstrating that the hard work is paying off.

Further success from the male artistic gymnasts at the Welsh Floor and Vault Championships added to the spectacular results from their male athletes. Josh Cook was the Welsh Under-16’s Floor and Vault Champion, also winning both events individually. Charlie Watkins become the Welsh Under-8’s Floor and Vault Champion as well as the YMCA Barry Under-12’s team receiving the silver medal. It was fair to say the club swept the board that day.

The female artistic gymnasts are also going from strength to strength and had fantastic results in the annual elite levels and five, six and seven year old championships. Their five year olds didn’t fail to impress with Azaria Karim winning fifth overall and second in their team with Daisy Hill from the seven year old team coming second overall and the team placing first. In the elite levels Hana Davies secured second overall in level six and Millie Williams claimed fifth overall in level seven, with the team winning the gold.

The rhythmic section of the club have had many successes over the last few months, particularly when six of their gymnasts were invited onto the elite ‘Future Hopes’ programme. This programme has only been introduced into four clubs throughout the whole of Wales and is aimed at young gymnasts with the potential to make future Commonwealth games. They are looking forward to seeing their Rhythmic gymnasts develop.

As a club they make it possible for gymnasts to achieve an elite level, but also ensure that all members achieve their full potential at whatever level that may be. YMCA Barry held their first club competition, which resulted in 200 of their gymnasts competing in the Christmas competition aged from four to 15.

All of the children had a fantastic day and the opportunity to compete with their peers and demonstrate to their parents the skills they had been learning. They had a number of fantastic volunteers throughout the day helping with the smooth running of the competition and fundraising. They are looking to running a number of other events to help with the club fundraising target to refit and refoam the pit to the benefit of all gymnasts.

With so many successes throughout the last couple of months from gymnasts, their year was finished on a high. Iwan Mepham, one of the senior male elite gymnasts was named as Welsh Men’s Artistic Gymnast of 2015, demonstrating his years of hard work being recognised.

They are continuing to increase the number of gymnastic classes to enable them to have more children in the club, the latest venture is into cheerleading which will begin in February.

If you would like any information about any of gymnastics or cheerleading classes please call 01446 724001 or email sophie@ymcabarry.org.uk.