Posted onSeptember 12, 2016 by Phillip Lee

It is sometimes said that you cannot mix business with pleasure. However, Bracknell’s MP was able to do that recently when his young daughter accompanied him on a visit to the Bracknell Gymnastics Club.

Whilst his daughter was given a lesson by elite gymnast, and Pride of Bracknell award winner, James Langley, Dr Lee spoke with Dr Peter Tranckle, who helped to found the club in 2006. It currently operates out of the Bracknell leisure centre and has around 130 members, with over 400 others regularly attending classes. It is one of the most respected clubs in Europe is currently home to the British Men’s Team and Junior Women’s Team Gym champions.

It will shortly be sending 12 members to the European Championships (more than any club in the country) and later in the year will be hosting an international competition, with teams coming from across the continent.

All of this success does not come without a lot of effort, and the club boasts four of the six British athletes who are licensed for triple somersaults. It also does not come without financial demands.

Supporting the 12 athletes who will be representing the country at the European Championships will cost around £13,000 only part of which the club has currently been able to cover through sponsorship.

Speaking after the visit, Dr Lee said:

‘I was extremely impressed by the expertise and dedication of the coaching staff and also the sheer athleticism and enthusiasm of the gymnasts themselves. They are a credit to Bracknell and the country, and deserve all the support that we can give them.’

The most important verdict, of course, came from Phillip’s daughter who asked simply as she left ‘When can I come again, Daddy