ALMOST 14 years from its beginning, West Dorset Gymnastics Club closed its doors for the last time, marking the end of an era in style.
The hall at Wey Valley was full to capacity as each class treated parents and well-wishers to a Display Night not to be missed.
The club’s very youngest girls’ First Steps group kicked things off. Following the lead of coach Josie Damen Lane, to the sounds of the 60s, tiny tumblers were put through their paces and did well to produce routines showing how the foundations are being set down in vaulting, rolling, balancing and dance work.
Next up came the Key Steps girls in years two, three and four who pulled out all the stops to create a lively and well executed floor and tumbling routine to music from The Lion King.
An unmistakable highlight of the evening was the boys, led by senior gymnast and trainee coach Lily Holder. Ranging in ages from four to 10, the lads rose admirably to the occasion to produce a truly unforgettable array of vaulting, tumbling and dance skills as they took to the stage as Men in Black. A complete contrast followed when the Artistic girls arrived with a splash of colour, delighting the audience in a fast-paced group routine to a lively Irish reel.
Artistic women Tessa Hibberd and Tasha Lund left no doubt to anyone watching about the depth of artistry and skill that has been nurtured within the club over the past 14 years.
Both routines were skillfully choreo-graphed, reflecting the individuality of the performer – each with very different styles.
Each young woman gave all they had in their final individual performances for the Weymouth-based club – with stunning results.
Hibberd, with an innate elegance and musicality created an evocative piece to music by Xavier Rudd, while Lund performed her trademark routine to Mason Williams’ Classical Gas, in a strong and powerful performance.
The largest group of the evening was the senior girls, with a polished and feisty display incorporating tight group dance work and superb tumbling to ‘I Like The Way You Move’.
The Finale brought everyone together for the last time to a rousing rendition of ‘My Sharona’ and here the gymnasts really did give their all – as the hall was filled with superb examples of quality tumbling, vaulting and trampette skills, parachutes and enormous floating geometric shapes.
Coach Sharon Morgan said: “Although I still can’t quite believe the club is no more, it has been an inspiration – and great fun – to have worked with this team for so many years and to see them grow into experienced, enthusiastic and skilled coaches.
“I have been so privileged to work with hundreds, probably thousands of children both within the club and in local schools where there is a huge untapped resource of energy, potential and pure raw talent.
“Gymnastics lays a solid base for all physical activity and this has been set within Weymouth and Portland. I just really hope a way forward is found to build on this and not to see the community lose such enthusiasm, talent and expertise.”
During the final week of the club, gymnasts were awarded with badges and certificates earned throughout the year while trophies and awards were also presented with the club rankings announced for all those taking part in competitions.
Lund and Hibberd claimed joint top spot in the seniors, Molly McNern was named junior champion, the novice title went to Analise Dive, with Jodie Stone picking up the newby award.
Anyone wanting to know details of gymnastics classes in the Weymouth and Portland area can contact Redlands Community Sports Hub on 813113.
CLUB RANKINGS Seniors: =1 Tasha Lund and Tessa Hibberd.
Juniors: 1 Molly McNern, 2 Emma Adams, 3 Rosie Brook, 4 Merryn Harvey, 5 Sophie Wallis.
Novices: 1 Analise Dive, 2 Beatrix Knight, 3 Holly Toman, 4 Holly Fowler, 5 Jess Pitney.
Newby: 1 Jodie Stone, 2 Imogen Breaks, 3 Tia Chaloner, 4 Mollie Edge.
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