EDITORIAL

Martin Laws

Dear Reader, 

Let me start by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year when it comes.  I hope that you will all enjoy the well deserved break that the festivities will bring!  As we look forward to the New Year, I would like to remind you all of the Technical Conference to be held on 27^th & 28^th January 2007 at Lilleshall.  As always we will have a great range of topics being covered, from all three disciplines, with speakers that will, as ever, be exciting and informative.

With the New Year, we will see the new revised Coaching Structure.  All coaches will need to ensure that they are aware of all the changes that are going to take place as of January.  Hopefully, this revised structure will lead to more coaches continuing on and furthering their qualifications.  More information can be found later in this edition.

2007 will be another exciting year for competitions.  November will see the climax of the World Cup cycle for 2005/06, so we now move on to the next cycle, with many of our stars hoping to gain those all important World Cup points to get them to the World Cup final in 2008!

In February of 2007, the UEG will be hosting the first European Cup for Clubs.  This event will be held in Frankfurt, Germany from the 25^th to 27^th February.  This is an exciting opportunity for all clubs, with eligible members, to give their competitors a taste of international competition! 

Work is continuing on the LTAD for trampoline.  Joanna Shackleton and her team are striving to get this document right for our discipline, and as you can imagine, it’s no easy task!

Any judges that have not re-validated by the end of December 2006 will find that at the beginning of January, their qualification will no longer be valid, and you will need to attend a full course again.  I hope that all clubs have been successful in getting their judges onto re-validation courses.

Before closing my editorial for this year, I would like to thank all of the NTTC for their continued support and work, as well as every volunteer that continues to add to the success of our sport.  Working as a team we can continue on and make our sport even more successful.

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Editor’s new email address: john@beeton9.wanadoo.co.uk

CONGRATULATIONS

The NTTC and all members of the trampoline fraternity would like to add their sincere congratulations to Beth Tweddle for her outstanding success in the 2006 Artistic World Championship, held in Aarhus DEN., during October, in which she became World Champion in Asymmetric Bars.

This is an outstanding achievement for Beth and her coach Amanda Kirby, who have both worked tirelessly together over the years to achieve their goal of obtaining world champion status for Beth.

Message from Patricia Wade

I cannot thank you all enough for the innumerable wishes of thanks and support received since my femur broke on 1st October.

As most are now aware the accident resulted from cancer which now I am fighting hard so that I can soon return to gymnastic and other activities. This will take some time but I am confident that I shall reach the remission status that I am working on with the medics by the New Year.

I know that you will give your loyalty and support to Tonya Case who will be acting President of the FIG Acrobatics TC until my return to better health.

Again, thank you dear friends for your concern and support in so many ways.

Editor’s Note: It is heartening to hear from Pat. We, her colleagues in British Gymnastics and the FIG were devastated to hear of her illness not so long ago. Messages can be forwarded to Pat via  the CEOs office at BG. I know that she will welcome all.

FIG WORLD CUP FINAL: see report on Page 4 of this edition of TRAMPOLINE NEWS.

FIG JUDGES HONOURED IN GENEVA

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS 2007

As reported previously, the international schedule for 2007 has become rather crowded and British Gymnastics has decided not to participate in a number of events, and in particular 3 of the planned world cups. Our schedule is now complete and is as follows:

March

16-19 Aalsmeer Flower Cup NED

April

01-02 FIG World Cup, Lake Placid USA

06-07 FIG World Cup, Quebec City CAN

13-15 4 x Countries Annual Match, Lisbon POR

27-28 FIG World Cup, Kunshan City CHN

June

08-10 4 x Nations Annual Match. Poole GBR

28-30 FIG World Cup, Ostend BEL

28-30 Flanders Cup, Ostend BEL

August

24-26 GBR v CAN International Match, Sheffield GBR

24-26 GBR v CAN v GER Youth Match, Sheffield GBR

November

01-03 World Championships, Quebec City CAN

07-10 IAGC, Quebec City CAN

TRA CODE OF POINTS 2009-2013

The FIG TR TC will begin working on the 2009-2013 COP at their first meeting of 2007 (April). If you have any proposals that you would wish to see implemented in the new Code drop me a line with your proposal. I will then bring this to the attention of the TC for discussion. Likewise, if you believe that the present Code does not require any changes, let us know. Ed.

5 Way international Albacete, Spain.  9^th – 12^th November 2006

John Beer

Travel

This was well organised and until Laura Gallagher found she had forgotten her passport when she arrived at the airport all was going on time.  British Airways were very helpful and transferred Laura and I onto the next flight to give Laura’s mother time to drive from Weston with Laura’s passport (having taken time off work, a P.E. teacher, in a local school).  The next flight was one hour after the original, 13.10.  All the team except Laura and I went through for the original flight; Leah contacted the Spanish organisers alerting them to the delay.  All appeared as if it would work out ok with the Spanish having to wait an hour for us.  How wrong – Laura’s mum even driving in excess of the 70mph limit was never going to get to the airport in time.  Another visit to the BA desk to ask for the next flight, again they were extremely helpful (all at no extra cost) but the next flight was at 19.55, meaning arriving in Spain very late.  Laura’s passport arrived about 15.00 and we spent the rest of the day sitting around Heathrow, the others members of the team text to let me know they had arrived at the venue at about 17.00 approx one hour before we were due to leave London!  We did leave 20 minutes late and arrived at midnight, the last flight into Madrid.  The Spanish organisers had arranged a car (a VW Golf that looked like it had been on the ‘Pimp My Ride’ programme) along with a driver who took us to Albacete arriving at 03.00 to find the hotel was very nice and on the university campus where the bars and clubs were still full and parties going on all around!

As I have said the hotel was very good and well appointed, all meals were taken at the hotel, all 3 courses and very good.

Competition venue

This was excellent; some 5 minutes walk from the hotel.  The hall was divided into two with a ‘drop down’ divider.  Half was used as a training hall, 3 trampolines and all the artistic apparatus permanently set up.  With the other half set up for the competition with seating for approximately 500 people (more was available) it made training in both halls very easy and teams could choose where they wished to train.  The organisation of all was excellent and all the needs of teams were catered for. 

Competition

This was run to the timetable with no delays.  As 5 countries were taking part the judging panel was made up of judges from all five counties, overall the judging was very good with our Judge Tony Hull being one of the middle three nearly every time, well done Tony.   After the preliminary competition all the girls qualified for the finals and 3 of the boys this left GB of his brother.  In the girls event in the preliminary rounds Laura Gallagher was joint 6^th and Katy Ianson 5^th.

This gave the Girls 2^nd place in the team event by 0.4 to Spain and 2^nd place to the boys to Canada by 1.1.  In the finals Cara and Danielle jumped very well with Cara taking 2^nd place and Danielle 4^th after she repeated a tucked double back.  The Spanish girl who won used an 11.6 (as did one of the German girls) scoring eights, she is only 14 and looks a great prospect for the future.  In the boys final Canada were 1^st and 2^nd with Germany 3^rd, Tom Lewis was 4^th (by 0.1) and Michael 5^th.  The Canadian boys had 15.0 and 14.9 difficulty.  During the training we did see the winning Canadian performing much higher difficulty including full, full, half he also does half out quad!  The highest form score in the final was from Andrew Freeman with an 11.7 difficulty.

In the synchronised event GB were 1^st and 2^nd in the boys and 1^st in the girls after the preliminary rounds, the rules of the competition allowed each country a place in the final and the country with the highest 2^nd team so we had both pairs in the boys event.  The second girl’s pair did not compete as Laura fell in the warm-up and was taken to hospital under the direction of our Physiotherapist Belinda Smith, Laura hurt her neck was x-rayed at one hospital and told there was a broken bone and transferred to another hospital where a digital x-ray was taken and no break was found.  Laura was put in a neck collar and discharged and allowed to fly home.  She was in great pain and was looked after all the time by Belinda who was an excellent support for Laura and all the team.

The final saw a rare mistake by Andrew and Michael and Tom and Luke win.  In the girl’s event Danielle and Katy also took 1^st place.

The organisers had a very strange formula to work out the overall team winners.  They gave points for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places and the team with the most points won – that was Great Britain.   The strangest part was the organiser wanted the head coaches to receive the award; it’s a long time since I stood on a rostrum for an award let alone the winner’s rostrum. 

The Banquet was well run and Laura managed to get down for the meal.

The travel home went without a hitch!!

Team:

Laura Gallagher, Danielle Pietruszka, Cara Jaimeson, Katy Ianson

Tom Lewis, Luke Rendell, Michael Freeman, Andrew Freeman

Coaches:

John Beer, Sarah Sylvester

Judge:

Tony Hull

Physiotherapist:

Belinda Smith

FIG TR TC NEWSLETTER No12 October 2006

Over the past year and especially at the world cups during this period, discussion has taken place regarding difficulty values in multiple twisting double somersaults. This came to a head at the Savognin SUI World Cup in September, and has somehow confused a number of difficulty judges, as well as coaches and gymnasts.

The FIG TR TC discussed the present situation at their October meeting in Moutier SUI., resulting in the TR TC issuing a Newsletter, which clarifies the situation as laid down in the Guide to Judging.

The clarification as laid out in the Trampoline Newsletter No 12 October 2006 is reproduced below:

“Guide: 4 Twists in different phases of somersaults

·         In somersaults of 630° - 900° two (2) phases are recognised, early and late, and these are found by dividing the degrees of rotation by 2.

Example: 2/1 backward somersaults, 720° - 2 phases (of 360° each)

According to the existing terminology, a phase is the significant and observable/recognisable part of an element, where a gymnast performs some particular task.

The twisting and somersault phases are easy to follow in almost all tuck, puck and pike somersaults. In double layout somersaults the twisting and somersaulting often continues throughout the skill with no recognisable intermediate stop and it is impossible to recognise the early and late phases and the number of twists included, even for a training eye.

Therefore, all multiple twisting double somersaults in layout position, performed without a recognisable pause in twisting rotation, will be considered as repetitions if used more than once.

For example a “miller” in the straight position done twice or more.

A position problem has also occurred in the full in rudi out (8 2 3) layout. It can be dome nicely, but often the layout (as described on the competition card) will start with almost 180° in pike position to get the necessary somersault rotation. These gymnasts will be in danger of having this judges as a repetition if they also use skills like < 8 2 3  and/or 8 0 5 <.

Skills should be done within our rules, which means, with different skills as described in our Code of Points and Guide, and not with repetitions of elements.”

2007 FIG WORLD CUP FINAL

After twelve months of planning/meetings of the local OC  the 2007 FIG World Cup Final finally came to Birmingham GBR at the end of November.

The event was held in the magnificent National Indoor Arena, in the city centre, with delegations housed in the official hotel within walking distance of the arena.

The local OC had done a magnificent job in the preparation of the competition/training halls and many plaudits were forthcoming from our guests.

The on-going argument of whether or not the FIG should continue holding world cup finals was belayed by the sell out audience of 3500 and the attendance of all of our top gymnasts from the current Ranking List. Whatever the argument, this was a culmination of two years hard work by our gymnasts attending as many world cup events as possible to gain ranking points, to enable them to participate in the Grand Final. Of course points gained from the Olympic Games/ World Games and World Championships also helped, but on the whole, the majority of gymnasts present in Birmingham had gained their place through world cup points. I had the feeling that our gymnasts wanted a major event to be held at the end of the world cup series and what better than a Grand Final. For me, I believe that it is imperative that we continue with the present world cup series as is, with slight modification to the number of world cups held annually, as per the FIG TR TCs recommendation to the FIG EC (i.e. maximum of 4).

Results of the various Finals were as follows:

Trampoline Women Synchronised

01. Karen COCKBURN/Rosannagh MACLENNAN CAN 47.8

02. Anna DOGONADZE/Jessica SIMON GER 47.3

03. Yulia DOMCHEVSKA/Olena MOVCHAN UKR 45.2

04. Jamie MOORE/Claire WRIGHT GBR 44.8

05. Hiromi HANMOTO/Yoko SETO JPN 44.1

06. Kirsten BOERSMA/Patricia MEIJER NED 42.5

07. Natalia CHERNOVA/Irina KARAVAEVA RUS 28.5

08. Ekaterina MIRONOVA/Tatiana PETRENIA BLR 4.1

Trampoline Men’s Synchronised

01. Michael SERTH/Henrik STEHLIK GER 49.8

02. Tetsuya SOTOMURA/Yasuhiro UEYAMA JPN 49.3

03. Michel BOILLET/Ludovic MARTIN SUI 49.1

04. Mickael JALA/Sebastien LAIFA FRA 48.2

05. Vladimir KAKORKO/Nikolai KAZAK BLR 47.8

06. Takayuki KAWANISHI/Daisuke NAKATA JPN 47.1

07. Mark ALEXANDER/Simon MILNES GBR 45.3

08. Sven MOOIJ/Alan VILLAFUERTE NED 44.7

Tumbling Women

01. Samantha PALMER GBR 68.8

02. Anna KOROBEYNIKOVA RUS 66.8

03. Anna TERRENIA BLR 63.8

04. Yulia HALL USA 63.2

05. Emily SMITH CAN 62.7

06. An de WIN BEL 58.4

07. Zoe MCLEAN GBR 51.1

08. Emeoline MILLORY FRA 46.3

Tumbling Men

01. Jiexu WANG CHN 77.5

02. Tagir MURTAZAEV RUS 73.6

03. Jozef WADECKI POL 70.3

04. Damien WALTERS GBR 69.5

05. Nicolas FOURNIALS FRA 67.6

06. Andrei KABISHEV BLR 64.4

07. Huanian PAN CHN 64.2

08. Alexandre SKORODUMOV RUS 53.0

Trampoline Individual Women

01. Karen COCKBURN CAN 37.4

02. Anna DOGONADZE GER 37.0

03. Claire WRIGHT GBR 37.0

04. Natalia CHERNOVA RUS 36.7

05. Andrea LENDERS NED 33.0

06. Irina KARAVAEVA RUS 22.6

07. Olena MOVCHAN UKR 22.0

08. Shanshan HUANG CHN 10.8

Trampoline Individual Men

01. Yasuhiro UEYAMA JPN 40.8

02. Alexander RUSAKOV RUS 40.6

03. Tetsuya SOTOMURA JPN 40.5

04. Yuri NIKITIN UKR 40.2

05. Cheng Zhi QUE CHN 40.0

06. Henrik STEHLIK GER 39.5

07. David MARTIN FRA 38.4

08. German KNYTCHEV RUS 27.9

These were the best organised World Cup Finals that both my colleagues on the FIG TR TC and I have attended. The presentation of the gymnasts prior to them competing was a great success and made each and every one of them feel special. The capacity crowd gave all of the gymnast a truly British welcome. Well done Birmingham City Council and British Gymnastics. Note: see “messages” received Page 8.

I would like to add my congratulations to the British Team. Ed.

The Northamptonshire Trampoline Gymnastics Academy is celebrating after winning 2 categories in front of 300 invited guests at the Northamptonshire Sports Awards.

Tracy Whittaker-Smith for her outstanding work this year, which included work with British internationals Jaime Moore and Yasmin Gumbs who made the individual & synchronised finals at the European Championships and 4 British Titles won by Academy members, Yasmin Gumbs, James Higgins and two team titles. Whittaker-Smith was also recognised for the ongoing work at the Academy and the work on the new trampoline centre which will be opening soon.

A new and fairly young team that consists of James Higgins who also won an individual British title, Steve Walsh and Danny Creedon were voted Team of the Year.

Trampoline Coach Education

Cathy Page

Technical Conference Jan 27/28 – We are planning to have two external speakers –

Kylie Wilson on ‘What coaches should understand about psychology’

Mark Griffiths on ‘Mentoring coaches.’

Other contributors are Mike Philipson on a judging topic. Wayne Smith on ‘development of DMT and Synchro’. Craig Bellis on the new competition scene. Sue Lawton/Jake Bailey/Robin Atkins on ????

UK Coaching Certificate – The new syllabus will be introduced from January 2007.

Assistant Coach (Level 1) – for 15 year olds and older (may do the course at 14) – will only be allowed to coach in the presence of a higher level coach. Includes basic landing positions and twisting into and out of seat drop, and physical preparation.

Coach (level 2) – From 18 years (may do the course when 17) – may take classes and coach in schools but may not run a club. Includes up to back and front somersaults in all 3 shapes. The levels 1 and 2 may be run together with a reduced number of hours and only one assessment.

Club Coach (level 3) – may run a club and enter children into competitions up to the level of the syllabus.

Includes somersaults up to barani ball outs and Cody’s.

Senior coach and High Performance coach remain much the same.

Accreditation of prior learning (APL) – It is expected that most people will start at Level 1.  There may be accreditation of prior learning enabling some to miss some elements of certain awards.  Each person wising to apply for APL needs to apply to the Regional Courses Organiser for the Levels 1 and 2 and to the Coach Education panel for the higher levels.

New resources – With the new syllabus we have attempted to revise all the resources. This is not easy and may not be completed by New Year. However we welcome comments so that the next printing may be better – correcting any gross errors either technical or grammatical or spelling and including any gross omissions.

Language – With a major change in the syllabus we have attempted to change some of the unhelpful terminology. The following are the major changes the recommended terminology is in Bold:

·   Seat drop, back drop and front drop suggest we just drop onto them when in fact we want to jump up into them. So all the basic landing positions are referred to in the resources as ‘landing/s’ – e.g. seat landing.

·   Crash Dive – not usual to crash on it but off putting for learners. ¾ front somersault straight is better.

·   Lazy Back – don’t be lazy – call it ¾ back and add a shape.

·   Barani ball out – but we want the barani bit last – so Ball out barani is more logical.

·   Layout - what does it mean? try ‘straight back somersault’.

·   Spotting – this term should be kept for standing attentively by the sides of the trampoline and for keeping a skill on the centre spot.  Supporting of somersaults etc should be called ‘supporting’ not spotting. In this case it was probably a corruption of ‘supporting’ that it became spotting.

·   Penguin, flap for placing the arms ready for take off – call it ‘arm set’.

·   Swingtime – means ‘linking’ skills.

·   Checking – what are we checking? just call it ‘stopping’.

·   Mats – we have push-in mat for the mat used for pushing in and also used on the trampoline statically although end deck mats could be used for this as well. Floor mats – the usual thinish mats on the floor though thicker ones are OK for floor as well.

Add on modules - The following are already in place – DMT and Trampoline Disabilities.

Planned – pre-school module for those wishing to coach preschool children.

Suggestions:- are welcome

Judo Belts – Gymnastic Enterprises now stock judo belts. All coaches   are  reminded  that  they  should  use judo belts rather belts rather than relying on clothing to support somersaults.

Connect Trampoline Courses – A company called Connect are offering our Teachers trampoline award. It should be noted that this will take place in 3 modules over a spread of at least a year. Teachers should be made aware that they cannot coach trampolining until they have completed the course. Attendance at one day of the course will not qualify them for anything.

Knee landing – although knee landing is not now considered a safe landing, it should be noted that pupils should be made aware of this and shown how to land on knees if in difficulties. The landing should be with a very slight pike as for any back somersault landing. Landing with their hips straight or forwards may result in back pain.

FIG Breaking News: as previously reported, the FIG EC has now agreed to forward the FIG TR TC proposal to have an additional World Championships, to the FIG Council for ratification. The proposal also includes a recommendation from the TC to reduce the number of World Cups to 4 per year, with an option not to have a World Cup Final.

(It was interesting to note that out of those members of British Gymnastics trampoline/tumbling/DMT fraternity who were asked to make comment on this proposal by the FIG TR TC. only one reply was received, and this was in the negative!)

The proposal is to have world championships as follows:

Even Years (2010) TRA (Ind / Syn) DMT (Ind) TUM (Ind).

Uneven Years (2009/11/13) TRA (Ind / Syn / Team) DMT (Ind / Team) TUM (Ind / Team).

The International Age-Group Competition (IAGC) to be held in uneven years.

2006/2007 WORLD CLASS PROGRAMME TAKES OFF!

Jack Kelly

Following UK Sport’s new terminology, the World Class Programme for trampolining now has five members on the “Podium” level and eleven on “Development.” These categories replace the “Start”, “Potential” and “Performance” designations and feature smaller more stringently selected numbers. It was fortuitous that British Gymnastics had already been  planning  this  approach before  the  UK funding arrange-

ments were announced and the selection process was already underway. It had been decided to focus primarily on a senior programme with a small number of places available to the most promising youth gymnasts over the age of 14.

In order to become eligible for selection, gymnasts had to have  scored a minimum two round total on two occasions at approved events. The totals were related to significant placing at World and European Championships as well as the European Youth Championships and were seen as basic indicator of future potential. Gymnasts passing through this initial screen were invited for interview along with their personal coach to discuss their ambitions and to ascertain that the quality and quantity of their training matched those ambitions. In addition the National Technical Managers (NTMs) wanted to ensure that both coach and gymnast clearly understood the level of commitment required by the programme and that they had a strong desire to be part of it.

The main benefits offered were various levels of funding, access to international events, regular testing / monitoring, medical support and coaching support from the NTMs. In addition the submission of a personalised wish list of items deemed essential for the gymnast’s progress was requested for consideration.

Prior to the interviews, candidates had been made aware they would be assessed against the following list of subjective criteria:

• Olympic qualification potential (2008 and 2012)
• Previous record of international achievement
• Consistency of performance
• Freedom from psychological or behavioral problems
• High level of technical competence
• Attitude, lifestyle, baseline fitness, work ethic and training environment commensurate with World Class aspiration

This process resulted in the following trampolinists being invited to become part of the programme;

PODIUM: Claire Wright, Jaime Moore, Simon Milnes, Gary Smith, Mark Alexander.

DEVELOPMENT: Stacey Dann, Yasmin Gumbs, Cara Jameson, Laura Gallagher, Bryony Page, Danielle Pietruszka, Nick Joyce, James Higgins, Philip Dodson, Luke Rendell, Matthew Wright.

A number of leading trampolines were not invited for interview despite achieving the initial qualifying score because it was felt they had areas of technique, commitment or conditioning to address before the NTMs could be confident of their inclusion.

Six gymnasts were therefore set strict targets to be achieved within a specified timescale if they wished to be considered for

Admission to the second half of the programme.  Reports from

from the clubs indicate that several gymnasts have accepted this challenge and are striving towards those goals.

The first two, six weekly monitoring sessions have already taken place at Loughborough and Poole respectively, where the trampolinists were put through a range of technical and conditioning tests designed to stimulate improvement in key areas. It is clear that the majority of those selected are working purposefully towards improving their test scores and can see the relevance of this process as part of their overall programme.

 There is no intention that these monitoring sessions operate like previous training squads. They are primarily opportunities to measure progress against set criteria and the onus is firmly on the work of the personal coach back in the club environment. The philosophy underpinning this approach is that Great Britain has excellent coaches who know their performers far better than any National Coach could, and providing there are sufficient training hours in the right environment, they have the ability to produce world class performance. The National Programme is attempting to support this and provide a clear framework within which the personal coaches can do their best work.

INTERNATIONAL AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS (IAGC) 2007

Selection Policy

John Beeton

The National Trampoline Technical Committee (NTTC) has considered the views of all parties and understood the desire to have equal representation and to ensure the ability levels were maintained sufficiently high enough, proposed the following Selection Policy for all disciplines (TRA TUM DMT):

·         The team of 80 gymnasts is to be divided into three sections (TRA, DMT and TUM) of 24 places for each section. The remaining 8 places will be available for synchronised individuals who do not qualify individually.

·         Each section will maintain their own selection process to a maximum of the numbers stated above, ensuring the very best opportunities for medal placing, but a minimum standard for all sections will be top 50% of the previous IAGC competition (including synchro). If team selectors feel there was an unusual result at the previous IAGC, consideration may be given to such arguments, provided this has been discussed prior to 1^st January 2007 with John Beeton and Sharon Wood as HOD.

• After following this process, any remaining places will be allocated to sections who have a surplus demand, and able to achieve the minimum criteria above. Where no individuals meet the criteria, no places will be allocated.

Travel details for the IAGC team members will be issued soon.

The NTTC members wish all those trialing for the IAGC in Quebec City the very best of luck.

CONGRATULATIONS

At a ceremony held at the Army and Navy Club, Pall Mall, London on Wednesday 29^th November 2006, Martin Laws was presented with the “Torch Trophy” for services to trampoline. All members of British Gymnastics offer their congratulations to Martin. Ed.

FIG World Cup Final, Birmingham

The following messages have been received since the Finals from a number of prominent officials/gymnasts/spectators who were present at the event. Our grateful thanks to all for their kind sentiments.

Rui Vinagre POR – Secretary Portuguese Trampoline Gymnastics and FIG Category 1 Judge, who chaired both Trampoline and Tumbling events in  Birmingham.

“In my opinion this competition was one of the best that I have been involved in. The atmosphere in the audience was terrific and the competition was at the highest level. The venue in my opinion, was well organised and that created a friendly relationships between the participants. Congratulations to British Gymnastics”.

Didier Semmola FRA – French Tumbling Head Coach.

“A competition of a very high level, almost no mistakes by the gymnasts overall. A perfect organisation, which together made the World Cup Final an amazing competition”.

Frank Bardy FRA – French Trampoline Head Coach.

“A superb organisation like for a show that brought a great light on the disciplines. A big Kudos to British Gymnastics and the Organising Committee”.

John Beer GBR –  National Junior Squad Coach

“All of the foreign coaches and performers I spoke to said that it was the best competition they had been to. Lots of people that were there from Great Britain whom I spoke with said how great the venue looked - nothing negative. Many thanks for a great weekend, it was hard work but I believe it did the sport a great favour”.

Claire Wright GBR – gymnast

"The World Cup Final in Birmingham was a fantastic event and British Gymnastics pulled off the best competition as far as organisation and atmosphere that I have ever competed in over the 13 years that I have been at senior level. I really enjoyed performing with such an enthusiastic crowd behind me, and I even got used to the gladiator type stairs. I'm back into training now and looking forward to the season ahead."

Olen Movchan UKR – gymnast

“I think the organisation of this event has been great and I really like Birmingham”.

Takayuki Kawinishi JPN – gymnast

“Birmingham is a great city and in fact I prefer it to London. The Christmas illuminations are amazing and there is such a friendly atmosphere”.

Claire Thompson GBR – FIG Brevet Judge

“What a great event and good results for Sam and Claire – a super end to the year. There was a great buzz in the audience throughout, from queuing to viewing. I was so pleased to see first hand the culmination of the World Cup series I have seen so much of over the last two years. I came intending to enjoy the experience and it exceeded all my expectations. I believe the same was true for all those I was there with”.

Horst Kunze GER – President FIG TR TC who sent the following message to Mr. Brian Stocks, President of British Gymnastics.

“Yesterday, I looked up all the dates and places where we have held World Cup Finals so far and tried to remember, how they were presented. Some were excellent, but your event was way ahead. Everything was excellent. Your wonderful hall and the layout were outstanding, as was the presentation from opening until the end.

The athletes all loved their introduction and I think they thanked the wonderful audience and the organisers with really high performances.

I would like to thank you personally, your OC and all of the  volunteers (including drivers) for their excellent work. I already told John to give the congratulations of all TC members to the whole working crew.

I hope that you all will find some quieter days till the end of the year!

Thank you all again and we would like to come for a World Championship some day!

Judy Wootton GBR – Chairperson Sports ACRO

“The World Cup event was just stunning! The atmosphere was electric – even my husband, who is not really much into gymnastics of any kind, was getting in the mood and cheering with the rest of us.  The radio commentary was so useful – I understand the sport, but still found the various comments interesting. To see Trampolining and Tumbling working so well together gave me great pleasure, and the audience seemed to enjoy the spectacle. It was also good to see Acro making an appearance in the opening ceremony – I am convinced that these three aspects of gymnastics complement each other to the benefit of all.

YES it was brilliant! Thank you for all the hard work that went into the organisation – you should be very proud of the achievement.

Andre Gueisbuhler SUI – FIG Secretary General. This is an extract from letter sent to British Gymnastics.

“In the name of  our President Bruno Grandi I would like to congratulate you and your team for the excellent
organisation of the Trampoline and Tumbling World Cup Final.
The British Gymnastics team as well as all volunteers were at all times not only pros, but made us all feel the British Hospitality and friendship.

Please forward these thanks to all concerned. It was a pleasure working with you”.

Brian Stocks/Alan Somerville GBR – President and Chief Executive Officer respectively.

“Please pass on our congratulations to all members of the Trampoline and Tumbling fraternity who were present in Birmingham for the World Cup Finals on Saturday. Their amazing performances held us all spell bound and this was bourn out by the enthusiastic audience reaction to all gymnasts. Absolutely brilliant”.