Left to right: Lewis Jones; Sacha Tompkins; James Langley; Charlie Dorrington; Ben Knapton; Connor Wharram; Henry Mantel; Patrick Keay (absent - Joe Tropey).
Bracknell Gymnastics Club continues to go from strength to strength as their Senior Men’s team have won the 2016 Get Berkshire Active Team Performance of the Year award.
The team enjoyed a haul of success over the past year, winning the Senior Men’s gold medal at the TeamGym British Championships in Liverpool, while six of the team also represented Great Britain at the European Championships in Slovenia.
BGC Managing director Dr Peter Tranckle said: “We are very proud of our Senior Men’s team. They are good ambassadors for the sport and great role models for the local community.”
At the TeamGym Europeans, three of the team competed for GB Senior Men, who broke the British record for trampette, and three competed for the Senior Mixed, who set a new overall GB high score in what proved to be the UK’s most successful European Championships to date. “The success has been contagious and we are seeing a wealth of people and organisations getting behind this exciting sport.” Tranckle added.
Connor Wharram was also nominated for the Sports Personality of the Year award, however lost out to Paracanoeist Jeanette Chippington. The 19-year-old, who became the first gymnast to compete triple somersaults for GB, said: “Despite only being a runner up, being nominated for the Sports Personality is still a huge honour.”
He added: “Not many people are compared to Paralympic gold medal winners, that in itself is incredible, and more than enough for me.”
TeamGym consists of floor, tumbling and trampette routines. In 2016, Bracknell sent 12 gymnasts to the Europeans (the most of any club in the country), with six of the Junior Women’s team also travelling to Slovenia. The girls, who won the British title in their category, were also nominated for the award, however didn’t make the final shortlist.
The team will now be preparing for the Southern Qualifiers in March, and eventually working towards the British Championships at the end of July.
Ben Knapton
GBR TeamGym Gymnast
