On the 22nd July, eight of the Academy's youngest gymnasts made the long journey down to Poole to compete in the South West Grades. In grade 6 the gymnasts were as young as six, competing in their first competition were they had to compete five pieces:- vault, bars, beam, floor, and range and conditioning. April Maslen top scored vault and floor, placed second on beam and fourth on bars and range, her overall score meant she earned a distinction and placed second in the competition.

Madeline Hartnoll was third in the competition, also gaining a distinction and top scored bars. The Academy's youngest gymnast Meg Paddock also gained a distinction, placing fifth in the competition and earning fourth place in her range. Two falls for Ellie Haberfield meant she just missed out on a distinction, but placed second on bars, Olivia Johnson and Eleni Verity also passed with ease, Olivia placed fifth on bars followed closely by Eleni in sixth place.

The Academy girls dominated the bars, taking the top seven positions with a difference of 0.9 from first place to seventh place; obviously they had been watching their idle, world champion Beth Tweedle. Representing The Academy in Grade 5, was Hollie Moore and Lucy Taylor. Hollie also gained a distinction, placing first on bars and second on vault and placed fifth in the overall competition. Lucy Taylor placed fifth on vault, but just missed out on a distinction due to a fall on beam, resulting in an easy pass.

An excellent competition with all girls passing their grade with ease and taking home four distinctions.

Well done girls