International Training Camp and Friendly Competition for Gymnasts with Disabilities
Gran Canaria, ESP
Day 4 Report

On Tuesday evening the GMPD Women’s Artistic Squad performed their display at the C.C. Yumbo in front of a large and appreciative crowd. The evening show, hosted as part of the Blume Gran Canaria Festival is a showcase for all the teams that attend this event. In front of hundreds of people the girls put on an excellent display.

On Wednesday it was back to the Sportshall El Tablero for a full day of training.  After a general warm-up the gymnasts moved into their respective disciplines to work several pieces of apparatus. The Women’s squad also spent some time working with coach Ester Deltrap from GTV Dionysius in the Netherlands. Several coaches and gymnasts from the Igualdad de Oportunidades San Juan de Dios also joined the morning session to observe the work of the GBR coaches using the trampoline, beam and Rhythmic apparatus.

The GMPD Men’s Artistic Squad were the third and final squad to perform as part of the Blume Festival, this time at the Plaza Maspalomas on Wednesday evening.  The Men opened the show with a display using trampettes and set the tone for the evening with their fast-paced routine full of dives, twists and turns.

Thursday was the day of the Friendly International Competition. The gymnasts were ranked within their discipline and split into teams as follows:

Team 1
Alex Buesnel (GBR) – MA
Sophie James (GBR) – WA
Michelle Hon (GBR) – RG
Patrick Quinlivan (GBR) – MA
Holly Cantrill (GBR) – WA   

Team 2
Lee Davidson (GBR) – MA
Holly Riseborough (GBR) – WA
Hannah Westerman (GBR) – RG
Bo Dominicus (NED) - WA
      
Team 3
Jonathan Mackie (GBR) – MA
Heather Sturdy (GBR) – WA
Amanda Pullen (GBR) – RG
Alex Clifford (GBR) – TRA
Conor McKenna (GBR) – MA   

Team 4
Harry Smale (GBR) – TRA, MA
Sammi-Jo McBride (GBR) – WA
Rowena Francis (GBR) – RG
Kemlyn Shard (GBR) - MA      
          
Team 5
Philip Davis (GBR) – MA
Shamika Llewellyn (GBR) – WA
Sarah Dugdale (GBR) – RG
Sheryl Cowling (GBR) – TRA   

Team 6
Keven Shard (GBR) – MA
Samantha Godel (GBR) – WA
Hannah Danby (GBR) – RG
Daniel Reed (GBR) - TRA     

With four to count the close fought competition was won by Team 1 with a score of 85.95. Team 3 finished second with a score of 79.45 and Team 2 finished third with a score of 78.75. Team 6 also scored 78.75 so third place was decided by the next remaining lowest score. The remaining scores for teams 4 and 5 were 77.50 and 74.05 respectively. The medals and certificates were presented by Jesus Telo, General Secretary of the Blume Gran Canaria Organising Committee and Jeremy Eddon, Head of Delegation.

A big thank you to all the gymnasts, coaches and staff for their hard work this week and a special thank you to the judges for the Friendly Competition: Jeremy Eddon (GBR), Dave Balmer (GBR), Barbara Bailey (GBR), Justine Abraham (GBR) and Virna Duca (ITA). 
Friday is a well deserved day off before flying home on Saturday.