Bouncing to new heights!

A Wirral primary school trampolining squad has leapt to success in the British national Gymnastics competition, becoming the North of England champions.

The squad, made up of eight youngsters from the Poulton Lancelyn Primary School, Spital, travelled to Belfast to compete in the second round of the competition, after beating off stiff competition in the earlier North West round.

Wearing new kit sponsored by housebuilder, Redrow – the developer responsible for the Poulton Manor apartments scheme in Spital and a planned new development on the edge of Port Sunlight – the youngsters also walked away with the ‘Best Dressed’ award.

The pupils are now getting ready for the Schools’ British Championships to be held in South Shields later this month and PE Coordinator Dan Arnold has high hopes for the team: “We’re so proud that they’ve managed to get this far. They’ve all been putting in extra practice, and working very hard, so they really deserve the success. Whatever they achieve next will just be a bonus!”

The under-11 team had to perform a set routine, before doing a voluntary individual piece to the packed Newtouards Leisure Centre in Belfast.

Making up the squad were Georgina Hadwin, Charlotte Simms, Lauren Williamson, Emma McKeown, Jane Napier, Katy Gerard and Beth Williamson.

There was also individual success for under-11 novice Mark Read, who after competing for the very first time, came fourth in the North of England.

But before competing in Belfast, the school was tasked with finding the extra money they needed to fund the trip. And luckily, help was just around the corner.

Dan explains: “It’s so expensive to pay for a trip like this, there are flights and other travel expenses to take care of, as well as new kit, and so we desperately needed a sponsor. Redrow has a development just across the road from our school, and seemed the obvious choice.”

The housebuilder donated £1,000 towards the trip and tracksuit costs, leaving the school free to focus on springing to success! Dan says: “Redrow was really keen to get involved and have been helpful ever since. The only way we could have raised the money without their help was by asking parents to cover the costs. The squad looks like a professional unit now, which will hopefully help us in the finals.”

Patsy Aicken, sales director of Redrow Homes (North West) says: “It’s great news that the school has done so well, and I’m so pleased that we could help in some way towards their success

“We always like to get involved with the local communities that we build within and as the school is so close to our Poulton Manor development, this was the perfect opportunity. I hope our relationship with them will continue and everyone at Redrow will be keeping their fingers crossed for the final in South Shields.”

The final of the competition will take place this Saturday (February 17th) at Temple Park Leisure centre in South Shields.

Poulton Manor is a development of 62 apartments and prices currently start from £139,000. For further information on Redrow, or its developments in the North West, please visit redrow.co.uk.