Chichester gymnasts celebrate great year - but 2011 could be even better

Chichester Olympic Gymnastic Club are once again celebrating a record year - and are about to embark on the next phase of a development programme that will see them progress from strength to strength.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Dec 2010, 12:32 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 18:51 BST

A couple of weeks ago, 37 COGC gymnasts travelled to Southbourne GC’s invitational beam and vault competition. This was the last competition of the year for the club, with some of the newly promoted gymnasts entering for the first time.

All the girls were premiering their newly-designed competition outfits, which made them stand out with a distinct feeling of pride, boosting their confidence and morale.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In all there were 215 competitors, and despite a problem with the scoring during the second round, the COGC team had triumphantly laid claim to 29 medals by the time the competition had ended.

The team comprised Zoe Anderson, Hannah Anwyl, Sophie Barratt, Alice Bowers, Amy Cartlidge, Laura Docherty, Madeline Gladwell, Jazmine Goddings, Kirstyn Green, Jessica Hancock, Chelsea Hanna, Ella Holden, Juliet Howes, Abbie Jefford, Chloe Kopecek, Isabelle Moppett-Proud, Fleur Moranne, Gabriella Noviello, Poppy Pattinson, Eleanor Pendle, Emilie Pigden, Eleanor Powell, Louisa Raby, Catherine Scott, Ellie Shaw, Matilda Smelt, Jennah Sparham, Hannah Telfer, Stephanie Thaurer, Holly Trinder, Gemma Waters, Stella West, Harriet Whitaker, Rosie Whitaker, Lily Whitehouse, Jaline Willems and Hannah Wulff.

All performed particularly well and are all looking forward to competing again in the new year.

Behind the scenes, the COGC team have been busy working on a secret project that has finally come to fruition, bringing an early Christmas present to all members.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

From January 1, the club are relocating all their operations to Chichester High School For Boys.

The club have more than 300 members who they see on a weekly basis, and for a long while they have been struggling to obtain additional training time and the space needed to grow.

Through a partnership with CHSB, and an anonymous benefactor injecting £50,000 of new equipment, it means the club are officially the largest in area.

Clare Wulff, head coach said: “This is a very exciting time for COGC and we’re thrilled to be working with Chichester High School for Boys in order to enhance and deliver our technical programme.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The Timothy Peake Sports Centre facility is first-class and we’re delighted to call this our home. “Our higher-level gymnasts will benefit from its state of the art sprung floor, but every gymnast will benefit from the brand new equipment that has been delivered.

“We’re now able to hold our full range of classes in a spacious 750 sq m sports hall, every day and for every member of the community”.

COGC offer recreational and competitive classes to boys and girls of all ages, from pre-school to adults. All their coaches are British Gymnastics-registered and specialise in general and artistic gymnastics.

They also have qualified coaches offering TeamGym, cheerleading and trampolining. For adults, there are multiple freestyle sessions for general exercise and fitness as well as structured sessions for those who want to develop particular abilities.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The club can be contacted on 01243 790255 or by email at [email protected].

If you’re not sure if gymnastics is for you? Why not contact the team at COGC, quoting the Chichester Observer, and get a free taster session to help you decide.