9 Boys from the Isle of Man Junior Gymnastics Team competed in the National Development Finals in Newcastle over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Tony Duchars age 10 of the Ellan Vannin Gymnastics Club and a recipient of a Gubay Bursary through the Isle of Man Sports Aid Foundation took 9th place from an entry of 65 gymnasts in this prestigious event, securing himself a place for the second year in the UK National Development Squad.
Tony was first on Parallel Bars with an excellent score of 9.8 and was joint first on Pommel with team mate Glen Yates of Manx Gymnastics with a score of 9.4. Glen achieving 32nd place overall. Anton Ivshin, Manx Gymnastics, also competing in the Primary 3 competition achieved 15th place and narrowly missed selection to the squad by 1 point in what was a very high level competition.
Youngest team member Nicholas Harvey, Ellan Vannin Gymnastics, competed in the primary 4 level. This being his first National Finals competition this young gymnast achieved some good consistent scores throughout but a few falls reduced his overall placing to 53rd out of 67. Andrew O Neill and Callum Smithies both of Ellan Vannin Gymnastics and competing in the Primary 2 level finished 46th and 47th respectively. The Primary 1 level entrants were Aidan Jaques, Ellan Vannin Gymnastics who finished in 47th position and Josh Caple, Manx Gymnastics who finished in 49th.
Brandon Garrett, Manx Gymnastics, competing in the Intermediate 1 competition was first on vault with a very creditable 9.55. Unfortunately some low scores on pommel and parallel bars reduced his overall scores placing him in 19th place from an entry of 21. Congratulations to all of the boys competing in this event and many thanks to Lloyds TSB for their continued sponsorship to the Isle of Man Gymnastics Association.