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A talented squad of 23 gymnasts in Bahrain are in training for the '2008 Inter GCC Club Competition' that will be held for the first time in the kingdom next month.
The youngsters, aged from seven to 15, along with their coaches James Houghton, Letitia Booysen, Cara Mattias and Liana Meier, are determined to 'stick their landings' and are confident of picking up prizes in the region's biggest event.
More than 100 gymnasts from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain will be competing at St Christopher's Senior School Sports Hall in Isa Town before a packed crowd of supporters.
Bill McLaughlin, a distinguished figure in men and women's artistic gymnastics competition, who previously judged at the Montreal Olympics, will be one of the judges.
Mrs Mattias, director of the Children's Health Academy of Organised Sports (CHAOSS) at Al Maqsha, said: "We are making history - it's the first time that the biggest under-16 gymnasts' competition among the private clubs in the Gulf has been organised here.
"CHAOSS gymnasts have represented Bahrain in Dubai in 2006, Doha in 2007 and this year we have the privilege of competing in our home country.
"Last year's competition saw CHAOSS bring home seven gold, four silver and six bronze medals and we hope to better that total this year."
Members of the club's elite squad, pre-elite and mixed selected teams will compete in a series of floor and vault events.
The organisers have launched an appeal for funding and hope to raise around BD15,000 for equipment, hiring an ambulance and medical cover, catering and other essentials.
Already, big-hearted Qatar Airways has stepped forward by offering a free flight to bring Mr McLaughlin to the tournament from the UK.
Funds have also been donated by BEMCO to the tune of BD1,200 and City Neon with BD500 and Allied Pickfords followed up with a further BD1,000.
St Christopher's School has donated the use of the sports venue as a gesture of goodwill and support.
The training regime as the competition nears is intensive as all gymnasts need high levels of commitment, physical strength and determination to succeed. The top CHAOSS girls and boys are training a minimum of six-hours a week with the forthcoming spring term break set aside for special sessions.
Mrs Meier said: "It is all very exciting. In the floor routine there is a tumbling sequence where the girls have a routine set to music which will be choreographed. The boys will display their skills with walkovers, handsprings, handstands and back and forward flips across the room."
Elite squad member Rozelle Meier, 11, of the British School of Bahrain, walked off with three gold medals for her routines on the floor and vault and for her overall performance in Dubai.
She said: "I have learned a new routine on the floor. It is performed to the music of Disney's Little Mermaids. On the vault I have added a twist before I land. It's a bit harder but I am nearly there. Before the finals we will be training every day of the week."
Members of the squad are:
Elite team: Rozelle Meier, 11, Sophia Ridzuan, eight, Danielle Linton, 10, Matthew Williams, 12, Imogen Sheldon, nine, Kira Oldfield, 10, Charis Britton, 11, and Hasan Nazeeh Hasan, 12.
Pre-elite team: Megan Dias, 10, Neha Coelho, seven, Michaela Sandy, nine, Mouna Baba, nine, Rayeh Al Khalifa, eight, Paul Britton, nine, and George Jackson, eight.
Selected team: Mahdi Fadhul, eight, Kate Milne, eight, Leila Al Sugair, seven, Molly Whitaker, 10, Aya Bseisu, seven, Razan Al Shehabi, 15, Sian Russell, 13, Laura Kent, 11, Shaima Ali Ahmed, 12, and Noor Ali Ahmed, 17.
The contest takes place on April 11. If you, or your business, would like to support or help sponsor the event contact Alice Houghton on 17592096.
