Newsletter _2_ - Gillingham Jumpers Trampoline and Gymnastics

THE ROAD TO BEIJINGTen trampolinists have been selected to form the "Performance"Squad with the specific target of representing Great Britain inthe 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The Olympic trampolineprogram covers only individual men and women’s events withqualification for places being determined by the results of the2007 World Championships in Canada. The maximum numberof places available to each nation will be two men and twowomen so it is clear that all ten Performance Squad gymnastscan not expect to make it to Beijing. This has set up a highlycompetitive atmosphere within the squad that can only serve todrive up the standard with the ultimate goal of achieving anOlympic medal.Performance Squad (Women)Claire WrightJaime MooreKatherine DriscollHannah LewisNatalie O' ConnorPerformance Squad (Men)Simon MilnesGary SmithMark AlexanderGary ShortBrian CampEach performer has undergone baseline testing and beeninterviewed in the company of their personal coach to determinetheir goals, current training program and the adaptationsrequired to not only represent GB in Beijing but also to becomea serious medal contender.Although Jack Kelly has been given responsibility fordeveloping this group the emphasis is nonetheless on eachgymnast working with their personal coach whenever possible.Centralised squad training will still take place periodically butthe focus at these sessions will be on monitoring progress andidentifying individual needs. The Trampoline TechnicalCommittee's vision for the sport has shied away fromcentralised training to place the emphasis on empoweringpersonal coaches to develop their performers within the homeclub environment. Jack Kelly's role as National TechnicalPerformance Manager will vary from performer to performerdepending on their needs. In some cases he will undertakehands-on coaching whilst in others he will act in a moreadvisory capacity. Jack is happy with this arrangement andstates:" When I was a club coach producing world class trampolinists Itreated them all as individuals but made sure that they shared acommon direction. This proved to be highly successful and hasinfluenced the way I am approaching each coach/performerpartnership within the present squad."Jack's colleague John Beer is working with the "Start" and"Potential" squads, many of who will be fancying themselves todislodge members of the "Performance" squad once thecompetition season gets underway. There are certainlyindividuals in "Potential" with a realistic chance of achieving anupset and even forcing themselves into Olympic contention.This serves to heighten the intensely competitive atmosphere atthe top end of the sport.The first test for the Olympic aspirants will be the trials for theEuropean Championship team in March and promises to get thescramble for Olympic places off to an exciting start.DIARY DATESReaders are requested to note the following dates for theirdiaries in 2006:13 Jun – 4 x Nations Annual Match: GBR DEN CZE PORSOUTH SHIELDS – Local Organiser Bill Leach21 Oct – Under 15s Match: GBR SWE PORGILLINGHAM – Local Organiser Liz Laws23/24 Nov – FIG World Cup FinalsBIRMINGHAM (NIA)SEASON GREETINGSDespite the furore in the National and Local Newspapers overwhether or not we should wish each other a Merry Christmas, orwhether or not we should decorate our cities / towns / villageswith Seasonal Greetings (as we have down the centuries) incasewe should offend those of us who may object to such frivolities,the Editor of this Newsletter has no such qualms in wishing eachand every one of you, no matter your religion / beliefsA Very Merry Christmas and Happy New YearI hope that Santa brings you all that you wish for!Ed.Trampoline News is an official TTC publication for British Gymnastics onlyEmail: john@jbeeton.wanadoo.co.uk509-JUGB_02-upr8.jpg