Welcome to the Spring edition of the West Midlands British Gymnastics Trampolining Newsletter. Having received many favourable comments following the launch of this publication we hope you will all find something to interest you in this, our second edition. 

Our aim is to bring you news of the many successes of our Midland bouncers; many of these names will be familiar to you if you are a ‘seasoned bouncer,’ together with club news, competitor profiles, diary dates, courses and any other information which may be relevant to competitors, parents and coaches.

We welcome news and information relating to trampolining in the West Midlands region. Please e-mail us with your comments:
newsletter@wm.trampolining.net
 
Remember – if we don’t know about it, we can’t print it! We wish you all an enjoyable and successful day today at Crystal Leisure Centre, may you all achieve your goals!

Shaunagh Cole & Teresa Determann - Newsletter Editors

Competition News

 
 3-7 Regional Qualifier – Stockland Green, January 19th 2002

The first regional competition of the year saw relatively few of the 260 competitors achieving the required scores to progress to the next qualifying grade. This was perhaps due to post-Christmas lethargy and 
too much turkey! The New Year often signifies new age groups and new routines; you may be feeling that just when you have mastered your routine it is time to move on and learn a whole new sequence of moves! However, competitors’ confidence generally increases dramatically in time for the April qualifier and we look forward to seeing many competitors achieve their qualifying goals today, perhaps even moving on to the National circuit to compete. We wish all gymnasts competing today the very best of luck.

Grade 1 Competitions

The Grade 1 season began on 3rd March in the rather cramped venue of Alton Sports Centre, Hampshire. In spite of this three Midland bouncers qualified for the National Finals in July; Paul Warwicker of Ultimate T.C. continued his excellent form with a superb 2nd place in the under 13 boys group, Lani Dacey of Bradwell T.C. finished 12th in under 13 girls and Philip Scarborough of AT7 Coventry achieved 5th place in over 18 boys. Congratulations to you all!

At the Stourbridge Grade 1 held at Crystal Leisure Centre on 17th March, Catherine Determann of AT7 Coventry booked her place at the National Finals with a super performance, which earned her 13th place in a large group. Catherine then went on to achieve a brilliant 3rd place in the Scotland Grade 1 on 6th April.
 

Midland bouncers yet to qualify for this year’s National Finals are Lauren Draper of Ultimate T.C., Abigail Cole of Redditch T.C., Emily Senior of Stourport T.C., Jenny Cook and Jonathan Harding of Activ8 and Jason Harvey of AT7 Coventry. We wish these competitors every success during the remainder of the season as they attempt to achieve those elusive scores!

National Schools Finals – Burgess Hill, March 23rd 2002

The open section of this competition saw five Midland gymnasts representing their schools at this prestigious event. The standard at this level is always extremely high and our five Midland open competitors all gave excellent performances. Paul Warwicker of Ultimate T.C. achieved a superb 1st place in the open under 11 boys group, Stuart Lightfoot of Ultimate T.C. was placed 4th in open under 15 boys, Abigail Cole of Redditch T.C. achieved 7th place in the open under 13 girls group, Jonathan Harding of Activ8 also achieved 7th place in open under 13 boys and Jason Harvey of AT7 Coventry competed in the open under 15 boys group and was placed 8th. Congratulations also to the open under 11 boys team from Kingsland Primary School on achieving 1st place and to the open under 15 boys team from Caludon Castle on their success. Well done to you all!

Congratulations also go to all Midland bouncers who represented their schools so well in the closed section of the competition. Special mention must go to the closed under 11 boys team from Whitchurch C.E. Junior School, to Emma Armitage from Stivichall Primary School on her brilliant 1st place in the closed under 11 girls group and to Kirsty Mitton of Park Hill Primary School on achieving 6th place in the same group. Please read the report written by Emma Armitage of AT7 Coventry, which tells of her own special memories of the day. 

In the closed under 13 boys group Luke Hawkins of Woodgreen High School achieved 3rd place and the teams from Sir John Talbot and Caludon Castle also performed well in the same group. In closed under 15 girls Lynsey Stevenson of Woodgreen High was placed 2nd and Zoe Powell of Park Hall achieved 3rd place with excellent performances. Adrian Simcox of Sandwell College was 2nd in the closed under 19 boys section of the competition and the closed under 19 girls team from Woodgreen High also performed with confidence.

It was a great pleasure to see so many Midland bouncers representing their schools so competently in both the open and closed sections of this prestigious competition particularly when it is such an achievement to reach the Finals through consistently good performances in the earlier regional and zonal qualifying rounds.

A Personal Account of the National Schools Trampolining Championships

On Friday 22nd March 2002 I traveled to Sussex to compete in the National Schools Championships.  It took three and a half hours to get there and I was very tired after the long trip.  Saturday morning I had to wake up very early and I was really tired and excited.  Mum, Dad and I waited in the car for Irene and Phillip, when they finally arrived we all went for breakfast. After breakfast we all went down to The Triangle Centre, it was very busy and big.  We followed the sign that told us where the competition.  When we got inside, the competition hall was huge and crowded, with four panels.  Having found some seats Philip and I went to join the queue and register.  Our group was competing first, so I found some space and did some stretches to prepare for the controlled warm-up. I did my warm up with Irene watching and when I got off, she told me what to improve – to make sure I kicked out my moves and stretched my shapes.  The wait for the controlled warm-up seemed to take ages, but then the competition set seemed to come quickly.  The judges liked my routine and awarded me 8.4, 8.4, 8.3, 8.3, 8.2 a total of 25.  At the end of the sets I was pleased to find that I was coming joint first with another girl.  The vols were bounced in reverse order and I was bouncing last but one, which meant another long anxious wait.  My controlled warm up went a bit wobbly, and I was extremely nervous, but the other girl also wobbled on her controlled warm-up, which gave me more confidence.  My voluntary routine was the best that I had ever done it. I was extremely happy, Irene hugged me, and all I had to do now was to wait for the last girl to compete.  When she had finished, Jon went over to Phillip who was recording, whilst Irene and I waited nervously hand-in-hand at the side. Philip looked up and nodded and Jon put his thumbs up.  I had done it I had come first.  Irene swung me round and round and I ran up to Mum and Dad and everyone who had come to watch and they all hugged me.  All I had to do now was wait for the presentation.  My group was one of the last to get the trophies and it felt as if I had the loudest cheer.  My full title is now The Under 11 Girls Closed Schools British Champion of 2002.  I am extremely happy!!!!

My thanks to all at City of Coventry AT7 and Chemsley All Stars Trampoline Clubs for their help and support, with special thanks to Irene, Phillip, Jon and Emma. Oh and of course my mum and dad!
Emma Armitage (10) 

Club News
 
Cameras and Video

British Gymnastic Health and Safety Regulations require the registration of the use of video or stills camera equipment at competitions.  Please ensure that registration is completed prior to the competition or at the latest at the check-in desk on the day.  Cameras and videos not registered for use with the competition organiser will be confiscated and returned after the end of the competition.
Grants for Sports Clubs

Grants are available for specific programmes of work and equipment.

Sports England, Awards For All

Grants from £500 to £5000.  Clubs must have a constitution, a bank account with 2 or more signatures, an annual statement of accounts and be able to spend the grant within 1 year.  A new club would need to provide an estimate of income and expenditure for the year.  You will be expected to find part of the ‘item’ yourself, either financially or in kind (time, materials etc).

Foundation for Sport and the Arts

This is similar to Award for All, but is funded by the football pools companies.  Quite restricted at present due to poor support for pools.  Grants can be up to £75000.  They also provide interest free loans.

Sportsmatch

Grants are based on £1 for £1, minimum grant from £1000 up to maximum of 50,000. You have a better chance of a grant if your business sponsor is a first time sponsor, and it is for grass roots sport.  

Capital projects can be up to £15000 maximum.
 

Sport England Lottery Grants

Normally grants start from £5000 minimum and are intended for larger schemes.  Certain types of schemes such as inner city areas, ethnic minorities and women’s schemes do not have to contribute as large a proportion of costs as others.  A scheme in conjunction with your Local Authority would get greater support.

If you want further information, talk to Bob Burlton about your particular scheme, idea, thoughts; tel – 01922 455454.  He also has a model club constitution from B.G. as a basis for your club.

Bob Burlton

Congratulations

Congratulations to Nigel Whitmore of Telford and Wrekin TC on the birth of his daughter Aimee Louise at 00.57 on Saturday 26th January 2002.

Melissa Woolf Appeal Fund

Thank you to everyone who has spent time and effort in raising money for this appeal. All of you were amazing when we asked for support last year for the Melissa Wolfe Golf day. Those of you who were able to join us for the day suffered those hangovers with pride the next day knowing that every glass of wine forced down your throat contributed more funds to Mel's appeal. This had been a tragic accident & you all responded to our appeal for help. The day itself was far more successful than any of us had imagined raising a total of £12,500 for Mel. 

I have just received a call from Paula (Mel's Mum). Having seen an article in the National newspapers about a clinic in France that offers laser acupuncture they have been over to see the consultant to discuss Mel’s case. I am delighted to be able to tell you that Mel has been accepted by the clinic & will be going over in August to start treatment. So far there have been 4 British people treated & all 4 are walking again! Without exception every person being treated has seen major improvements.

Once again I take this opportunity to thank you for your support ... knowing that the funds were available to them made it possible for them to contact this clinic & arrange treatment immediately for Mel. The family have asked that I pass on their gratitude to you all for making this possible. They will keep us updated on Mel's progress.

Naturally .... as you'd expect from me! I have told them that they must ensure Mel has as much treatment as necessary ... if funds run low we will host another golf day & I am confident that we will be able force ourselves to drink more wine .... only to support the appeal of course!!

Fingers crossed for Mel!! 

Michelle Beswick

Award Nominations Required 

Nominations are required by the 30th July 2002 for West Midlands Awards for Services and Commitment to Trampolining. Nominations can be made by any current member of B.A.G.A. West Midlands on the West Midlands Trampolining Web Site at wm.trampolining.net.
Irene Thompson and Sally Turner, Award Winners 2001

Criteria - Services To Trampolining

1. A minimum of ten years actively involved in a non-competitive role in trampolining. 

2. Active involvement in promoting the sport of trampolining and promoting the sport in the West Midlands and Nationally.

Criteria - Commitment to Trampolining

1. A minimum of five years actively involved in a competitive or non-competitive role in trampolining.

2. A person in the West Midlands who has shown commitment to trampolining in all areas and can be consistently relied upon to lend a helping hand whatever the circumstances. 

Competitor Profile

 
Barry Smith
Barry 3rd Place
Northern Ireland Grade 1 1997

As we bid farewell to Barry on the competitive Grade 1 circuit, we would like to wish him well with his continued involvement in the sport as a coach and competition official and congratulate him on his competitive achievements.

Barry was too modest to write his own profile and so Pam supplied the following information.

Age: 21

Competed at: Grade1, Over 18 and Men’s

Club – Redditch TC

Has been trampolining for: 14 years

Got into the sport because his Mum needed to burn off his excess energy!

Achievements

National Syncro Champion
6th place Nationals 
1st place North West Grade 1 – 2000
2nd St Denis Cup Paris
3 times Midlands Men’s Champion
 

Please send your own competitor profile to 

newsletter@wm.trampolining.net

British National Trampoline Championships - 6th & 7th July 2002 – Birmingham National Exhibition Centre

The British National Trampolining Championships always proves to be a spectacular event and the highlight of the trampolining calendar. The Championships of 2002 are scheduled for the 6th and 7th of July at Birmingham’s N.E.C. However, such an event requires an enormous amount of planning and organising and many people are already working hard behind the scenes to ensure that the event runs smoothly and successfully.

Volunteers 

Do you have an interest in trampolining? If you would like to see the British Championships for free we particularly need people over 16 years of age who are willing to act as spotters, and people over 18 are required to join the security and stewarding teams. We will also require help to keep the officials’ rest areas tidy and well stocked with tea, coffee and other essentials. All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and lunch! If you feel able to help in any way at all please talk to either Pam Smith or Sally Turner as soon as possible. (E-mail contact available at committee@wm.trampolining.net). Thank you for your support!

Tickets

Tickets will be on sale six weeks prior to the event as follows:
£13.00 per adult per weekend ticket
£9.00 per child 5-16 years/O.A.P. weekend ticket
£9.00 per adult per day
£6.00 per child per day
There is a standard £2.00 booking fee for each group booking regardless of the number of tickets ordered.
1 free ticket with every 10 tickets bought.

Ticket orders together with payment must be submitted to Pam Smith by June 2nd. No late orders will be accepted.
Further details regarding tickets available from Pam, telephone 01527 517024 or e-mail at chair@wm.trampolining.net

T-Shirts

T-shirts to mark the event are available to order in white, grey or black with an embroidered logo.
These quality garments make super gifts or souvenirs.
Please note that only orders received by the closing date will be available for collection
at the competition. Any late orders received will not be available until after the event.
Once again details are available from Pam Smith. E-mail:chair@wm.trampolining.net

Raffle

This year’s raffle will be held on behalf of the English squad. Please show your support by purchasing as many tickets as possible. Further details will be available soon.

Dates For Your Diary
 

Jun 9th    Grades 3,4,5,6 & 7    Crystal Leisure Centre
Jun 15th   Syncro Nationals    Temple Park South Shields
Jul 6th/7th   Nationals     NEC Birmingham 
Oct 6th    Grades 3,4,5,6, &7    Crystal Leisure Centre 
Oct 20th  Closed Age Groups    AT7 - Coventry 
Nov 2nd  Coventry & Warks Schools  Solihull
Nov 24th  National Grade 2 Finals  Walton on Thames
Dec 8th   Division Schools    Crystal Leisure Centre 
 

Courses – Provisional Dates
 

Contact  Bob Burlton  b.burlton@bgwmids.fsnet.co.uk

Trampolining Coach Grade 1 6, 20, 21 April - Droitwich  Bob Burlton 
Trampolining Coach Grade 1  15,16, 22 June - Telford  Bob Burlton
Trampolining Coach Grade 1  March 2003    Bob Burlton
Trampolining Coach Grade 1  June 2003    Bob Burlton
Trampolining Coach Club  5,11,12,26 May - Birmingham Bob Burlton
Trampolining Coach Club  Feb 2003    Bob Burlton
Trampolining Senior Coach  TBA – Birmingham   Bob Burlton

Special Needs & Double Mini Trampoline Courses
These can be organised when the number of enquires warrants it. 

Anyone interested in courses is asked to send their name, address and type of course to Bob Burlton 33 Sandringham Drive, Aldridge, WS9 8HD 

Contact  P Heames   heamsp@lgscc.leics.sch.uk

Judge - Club    11th/12th May    Redditch 
Judge - Club, County   13th /14th July    Redditch 

Contact A Scriven  A.Scriven@bgwmids.freeserve.co.uk

First Aid for Coaches   9th June    TBA

Contact P Smith  01527 517024

First Aid For Trampolining  28th April    TBA
First Aid For Trampolining  4th May    TBA

Children’s Page

Wordsearch

Search the grid to find the words listed.  Words are hidden horizontally, vertically, forwards and backwards and diagonally.
 

Set
Spectator
Judge
Tariff
Recorder
Audience
Marshall
Competitor
Voluntary
Warm up
Round
Routine
End-Deck
Score
Spotter
Coach
Computer
Crash mats
Trampolines
Repeat

Did you know?

Where the Name "Trampoline" Comes From?

 "El trampolin" means diving board, in Spanish. George Nissen, the co-creator of the competitive style trampoline, heard the word on a performance tour in Mexico in the late 1930's. He liked the sound of it, and decided to Anglicize the spelling and call his bouncing rig a Trampoline. 

"... du Trampoline"

was the name of the French artiste who built a first jumping device in Spain in the Middle Ages.

The French have developed a new form of guillotine.

A low flying helicopter and a trampoline
 

Trampoline Training During World War II

Trampolining experienced rapid growth during World War II when trampolines were successfully used in the aerial awareness training of pilots. During World War II, trampoline training was one of 12 activities used as integral part of the physical training program for United States Naval Aviation cadets. Trampoline was selected for its contributed to the development of desirable characteristics in the aviation cadet, specifically, mental and physical conditioning.

Trampoline training aboard the U.S.S. Prince William during World War II. (From The Naval Aviation Physical Training Manuals: Gymnastics and Tumbling; The United States Naval Institute; 1944). 

Provide Aerial Orientation
1. Reduce fear of being upside down, of falling or revolving in midair. 
2. To afford practice in relocation after body revolutions and in sensing relocation while revolving in various positions. 
3. To learn balance and body control while in the air. 
4. To develop oneness with the plane. 
5. To acquire self-confidence in the air. 

Aid in Effective Conditioning
1. Vigorous developmental exercise for the legs. 
2. Muscle tension, both continuous and alternating, in the arms, shoulders, trunk and abdomen, are involved in the arm lifting and circling, and body-control movements of bouncing. 
3. Muscle stretching and the alternate working of antagonistic muscles. 
4. Contributes to increased vital capacity and increased fatigue-recovery ability. 
5. To aid in the development of coordinated, well-timed and rhythmical movements.