REFLECTING on the continuing flourishing success of Waveney Gymnastics Club, coaches and management this week praised the achievements of a talented group of gymnasts and the newly formed Tumble squad.

REFLECTING on the continuing flourishing success of Waveney Gymnastics Club, coaches and management this week praised the achievements of a talented group of gymnasts and the newly formed Tumble squad.

Last month (March) the club was well represented in a range of events, with six boys likely to be chosen to attend the national set work finals as part of the East region teams for either the NDP Club Grade or the Regional Performance Grade events after their successes at the regional boys set routine competition in Ipswich.

Six young boys from the club shine at the London Open men's competition, while a number of talented girl gymnasts excelled at the Eastern Counties Grades event in Ipswich.

And there was a 'huge triumph' for the new Tumble squad as Laura King collected a silver medal while Francesca Laurie won national grade one and qualified for the national finals in Birmingham in the process.

Assistant manager at the club, Peter Etherington, said: 'It's been really good to see all the disciplines competing at such a high level. For all the seven girls to pass their Eastern Counties Grades is a massive improvement on the last year, and a lot of this is down to the hard work of the coaches and particularly Jessica Evans.'

Particular praise was given to the boys' team, who excelled in either winning or achieving high standards.

'For us to get a team together to compete together at U14 level in the British championships was a tremendous achievement and it was a great result considering we had such a young squad as we came fifth overall,' Etherington said.

The club is also now gearing up to host the Scottish Commonwealth men's and women's teams for a week from April 12, as the profile of the centre grows even further.

And following on from the success of facility hosting the British men's squad and the Canadian national squad last year, this is another huge honour for Waveney Gymnastics Club.

'If any local youngsters or groups would like to come along and see their training sessions, then visit our website www.waveneygymnastics.org' Etherington said.

'The squad decided to come back to Lowestoft after they felt it was a great venue to host international gymnasts when they were here for a weekend last year.

'We are now getting a reputation for being one of the best gymnastics facilities in the country,' he added.