Bracknell Senior Men win 2016 Team Performance of the Year

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

Charlie passes coaching exam

Charlie Ewing successfully completed his Level 1 General Gymnastics Coaching exam today at Bracknell. Level 1 courses involve an online course, an 80 page logbook, two days of practical input and then several weeks of work with a mentor coach. Furthermore, it requires hard work, dedication and technical knowledge. Congratulations Charlie and welcome to the coaching team.

DMT League Finals 2016

Well done to James' DMT squad who competed for Edgbarrow at the League Finals this weekend at the Velodrome Olympic Park in London.

20 year old Georgia Clements competed admirably in the fierce contested Super League. She finished 10th with clean passes.

16 year old Samantha Benn qualified for the finals in 7th place but fought her way to a bronze medal in the finals of the 15-18 year old League 1 girls.

16 year old Branner Thomson qualified in first place of the 15-16 year old League 2 Boys and took a silver in the Finals.

11 year old Rachel Tapster qualified in first place in the 9-12 year old League 2 girls. Despite a close flight final, Rachel maintained her position to take gold by 0.3.

Well done to all of the squad and James in his new role as their coach. Congratulations also to the rest of Edgbarrow Trampoline Club and another impressive League Finals.

DMT gymnasts with their coach (right) James Langley from Bracknell Gymnastics Club

Bracknell’s gymnasts are on their way to Europe

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

James Langley, Dr Philip Lee & Peter Tranckle

Kylie passes the torch to James

In September Bracknell GC will launch our new DMT section. We have been exploring the discipline over the last 18 months with James Langley being trained by 6 time world champion and high performance coach - Kylie Walker. Following Kylie's retirement in July and thanks to some successful grants, James Langley has spent the summer training to take over the section. James is now a DMT L4 coach and leads a team of 5 DMT coaches, including some L5s where required.

James will also be taking over Kylie's role as coach for Edgbarrow's DMT squad. We wish James and the DMT squad every success in the future with this exciting new discipline.

6 time world DMT champion Kylie Walker with her protege and successor James Langley.