Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Young athletes across the kingdom will be aiming to vault to victory on Friday in the first ever Recreational Gymnastics Competition to be staged in Bahrain.
The inaugural open tournament has attracted more than 140 participants, organisers of the event revealed. It will be staged at the British School of Bahrain’s (BSB) main sports hall in Hamala.
Children aged between four and 12 will have the opportunity to celebrate the sport by exhibiting their skills in a floor routine, on the vault and on the trampette.
Organiser Matthew Brant, 26, director of The BSB Gymnastics Academy, believes that it will be a great platform for all gymnasts living here. He said: “We are hoping to use this as a platform to push gymnastics in Bahrain and get more people talking about the sport.
“When I first joined the academy there were only 20 gymnasts. It then grew, attracting 70 athletes and by the third term we had a total of 120, with many on a waiting list hoping to join.
“This just goes to show that there is definitely a demand for gymnastics in Bahrain. We even have a few 15-year-olds interested and perhaps in the future we can accommodate them.
“During the year, the members work on their skill set and badges. Coaches even meet with parents to show them what their kids can do. It simply made sense to give the children an opportunity to exhibit what they can do in a competitive environment.
“I had originally planned to stage the competition in the second year, but we have had so much success over the past 12 months that it made sense to go for it now. I have a good team behind me that have been very supportive. I would not have been able to do this on my own, especially as this is my first year in Bahrain.”
Athletes from CHAOSS Gymnastics Club, which is part- sponsoring the event and loaning some equipment, will be joining the contest and its coaches will be taking part on a judging panel.
Brant and his team of five coaches, which includes his supportive wife, Alex, 24, have been working hard at preparing the children.
Brant, who is a Year One teacher at BSB teaching maths, English and science, has been competing in gymnastics for more than 20 years, since the age of four.
He added: “I was told there was an academy here and I wanted to be a part of it. I couldn’t say no to gymnastics. It’s more of a passion for me and the other coaches, not a job. We all have a background in gymnastics and we want to see it grow and share the love that we have for it.
“At the moment, it’s a Bahrain competition. I had invited clubs in Saudi Arabia and Dubai to join, but it’s a little bit early for them to take part. Hopefully they will be ready for it next year. I want this to be an ongoing competition just like the Inter-Gulf Gymnastics Championships, which happen every year. My aim next year is to open it up and get more kids involved.”
This year’s contest is split into categories of novice, intermediate and advanced. The boys and girls, who will compete separately, are divided into different age groups of four to five, five to six, six to seven, seven to nine and then, nine and above.
Brant explained: “On the day it will be like having five miniature competitions. Each round of a different age group will include an opening ceremony, a warm-up, followed by competitive rotations on the floor, vault and trampette. The judges will then evaluate each child on their performance, execution, time spent and how they move onto the next piece.
“Afterwards, there will be a small show put on by either the coaches, or elite gymnasts from CHAOSS. I also found a former county representative trampolinest from England who is living out here who hopefully can put on a show.”
An awards ceremony will conclude the event. Medals will be awarded for first, second and third places on floor, vault and mini-tramp in each age group for boys and girls. The fourth, fifth and sixth positions will receive a certificate.
Trophies, provided by main sponsors Alosra, will be awarded to the overall boy and girl winner in each round.
“It’s not about who comes first, second or third. It’s a competition to encourage future gymnasts and it will be a great experience for all of them,” added Brant.
The event will be staged from 9.30am until 6.30pm. For more information, contact 17610943 or 17610973.
