11:30am Tuesday 15th December 2009
SWINDON gymnast Laura Halford has been representing Wales at the World School Games in Doha.
The youngster, who attends Stratton-based club Esprit Gymnastics, is a three-time British champion at various age groups and, as a British and Welsh squad member, recently moved up to junior level.
Laura, along with Esprit head coach Deb Hows and a delegation from both Wales and England, flew to Doha in the Arab state of Qatar for the week-long competition that includes the very best of the world’s potential future Olympians.
Esprit Gymnastics has had incredible success over the last few years, developing some the country’s best rhythmic, artistic and trampoline gymnasts.
As a result of their success, Esprit has agreed a deal with Swindon Borough Council that will see the club move into Headlands School when it moves to the new Academy at Christmas.
The club aims to develop the site as an international centre of excellence for gymnastics and expects to produce many more champions for the town.
Esprit spokesman Mark Hows said: “It is a fantastic opportunity for Laura to show the world her amazing talent, and Laura’s clubmates all wished her the very best of luck, making sure she knew they would all miss her at this weekend’s annual club display.
“Laura is just the start of a great future for the sport in Swindon.
“Esprit is already firmly on the map in the sport of gymnastics, but now we have a permanent home we will be working towards putting Swindon there too.
“We fully expect to not only develop our own world class performers, but to attract the best from across the world to visit, train and perform at the new Esprit Academy at Headlands.”
For further information call 01793 822262 or vist esprit-gymnastics.co.uk.
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