Page 24 - The College Echo Spring 2019

Gymnastics Academy secures 43 medals at regional schools qualifiers

22 Gymnastics

One day, two competitions, 273 miles and 128 gymnasts

When the organisers of the South West Schools Gymnastics
Competitions announced that they had put their Acrobatics qualifier
on the same day as the Floor and Vault qualifier, 90 miles apart,
many schools would have opted to attend just one of the events.
But, with some clever planning, a team of great supporters, and a
huge amount of enthusiasm, Ivybridge Gymnastics Academy
brought home its biggest ever regional medal haul, including
22 South West titles.
Starting from the College at 5am, some gymnasts went to
Kingsley School near Bideford for the Floor and Vault Competition
while others headed first for the Gryphon School in Dorset for Acro
and Tumbling. A quick warm-up, followed by strong competition
performances, set Ivybridge Community College Academy athletes
apart from the rest, with Gymnasts winning individual, partnership
and group medals.

“We didn’t think it would be possible when we found out that, for the first time in 20 years, they had doubled up
on the competitions,” said Helen Reddy, Head of Performing Arts, who is in charge of the Gymnastics
Academy. I am immensely proud of everyone involved, not only for their successes, but also for the way all of
our students conducted themselves over the course of the 17 hour day. Every one of our 128 Gymnasts were
positive ambassadors for the College, demonstrating a strong competitive spirit, exemplary sportsmanship and
good manners.”

The College Echo - Spring 2019 - www.ivybridge.devon.sch.uk