More trampolining triumphs for Dragonflyers

Dragonflyers' National League campaign began at Eastleigh among top clubs and national-level performers from all over the UK.
Dragonflyers at EastleighDragonflyers at Eastleigh
Dragonflyers at Eastleigh

Competition was fierce with many female categoriesfeaturing 60-plus participants of incredible standards.

The trampolinists had to push themselves to conquer the fear of performing extremely-difficult moves at spectacular height while maintaining grace, elegance, power and accuracy.

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Every competitor’s aim is to gain points by finishing in the top 24 in their age group and at the end of the series of four events, Britain’s top 24 per category earn the right to jump off for national title at a final event.

Last year six Dragonflyers earned that right with five choosing to take part in the event held at the Cooper Box arena, London – four making the top six at finals.

Eight-year-old Lani Smith was the youngest of the 11 Flyers to participate at Eastleigh. Showing immense courage in her first national-level competition Smith finished an amazing fifth in the nine/ten years L3 group.

Brother Toby came 17th in the 13/14 yrs L3 despite being just 12. Sofija Kalnicenko, 11, put on a sensational display at phenomenal height to finish in first place after two routines to take 100 points in the 10/12 years L3. Kalnicenko finished eighth overall in finals.

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Natalie Pullen returned from injury to gain 16th place in 19-plus L3 while Jenna Partridge, Alice Chapman and Ellie Morton came a fantastic 22nd, 27th and 39th in one of the largest groups of the day, the 15/16 years L3.

Libby Morton pulled off three beautiful routines to finish seventh in the nine/12 years L2 event while 12-year-old Izzy Hauxwell, despite moving up an age group to 13/14 years L2, came ninth.

Also moving up an age group to the 15/16 years L2 was twice-national-finalist Anya Johnston. She jumped an incredibly-difficult routine with a 7.5 tariff full of twists and turns in multiple somersaults to come a credible 12th. Close on Johnston’s heels was team-mate Taylor Cleall in 15th place.

Nine of the 11 Dragonflyers present gained the crucial points towards national finals, a magnificent achievement.

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Flyers thanked Julie Morton and Mick Pullen (judges) and Tracey Cleall (recorder), who gave up their weekend to officiate. Without them the team could not have taen part. They also thanked Steve Grubb and Lee Burgess voluntarily coach and prepare the children, allowing the senior and head coach to optimise the performers’ potential.

Interested in trampoline lessons? Check out Dragonflyers on the web, or for recreational lessons contact The Arena Sports Centre in Bognor.

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