YMCA Barry had a fantastic weekend at the South Central Grading Championships with 24 gymnasts entering and all passing their grades.

Each grade consists of a different criteria on each apparatus, Asymmetric Bars, Vault, Floor and Beam, as well as a Range & Conditioning routine to test their flexibility and strength.

Grade 6 is the first Grade that gymnasts complete at the age of eight and the YMCA Barry Gymnasts did not disappoint. Eleri Melinn, Olivia Melinn, Lellie Jones, Isla Enos, Darcy Davies, Liara Patten, Elinor Provis and Gracie Mae Leek performed excellent routines and demonstrated great maturity for such young children.

As well as all passing their grade, the following results were also achieved. On Vault, Lellie placed 6th and Isla 2nd, on Beam, Lellie achieved 5th, Olivia 3rd and Isla became the South Central Wales Grade 6 Beam Champion. On Floor, Darcy was 6th, Olivia 5th and Lellie 4th. With all the scores combined and in the overall positions, Isla positioned 6th, Olivia 5th and Lellie 4th. Excitingly due to these results, Olivia and Lellie will go onto represent South Central Wales at the Welsh Grades Finals later in the month and Isla is reserve for the team.

Nine year olds, Soren Hill, Farron Jones, Llinos Jones, Charlie Rae Davies and Olivia Strong all passed their Grade 5 with flying colours. Additional achievements included on Vault, Llinos finished 5th, Soren 4th and Charlie became the South Central Wales Grade 5 Vault Champion.

On Beam, Charlie gained 4th and Llinos was 2nd with Llinos also adding 3rd on Floor. With all of their scores combined, Llinos achieved 6th Overall which means she is reserve for the team representing South Central in the Welsh Finals for Grade 5.

Moving onto Grade 4, Lacey Jones, Katie Wong, Ava Carter, Taya Anderson, Ellie Gronow, Summer Weir, Ella Jones, Maddie Weir and Macey Carter performed many complex routines to an exceptional standard. A special mention to the following results. On Vault, Maddie was 6th, Katie 2nd and Summer became the South Central Wales Grade 4 Vault Champion. On Bars, Ellie achieved 6th and Lacey 5th, on Beam Macey received 3rd, Ellie attained 6th on Floor with Taya in 5th and on Range and Conditioning Maddie was 2nd. Finally in the overall category, Katie placed 6th and became the reserve for the South Central Grade 4 Welsh Team.

The final category of the weekend was Grade 3 and Sophie Notton and Ruby Clark competed many complex skills beautifully. On Beam Ruby achieved 6th position and Sophie 4th with Sophie also placing 4th on Range and Conditioning. A fantastic achievement for the gymnasts.

Could your son or daughter be YMCA Barry future gymnastics champion? Or do you just want your child to become more active and learn fundamental sporting skills? YMCA Barry gymnastics club is the most successful gymnastics club in the Vale of Glamorgan and offers an extensive gymnastics programme.

The club caters from baby and toddler gymnastics to recreational gymnastics for girls and boys of all ages, trampolining as well as competitive gymnastics for all levels.

YMCA Barry also offer inclusive opportunities for children with additional needs. Please contact on 01446 724000, email sophie@ymcabarry.org.uk or follow on social media @ymcabarry.