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Durham Coach Wins National Award from British Gymnastics | Bdaily Business News
A gymnastics coach from County Durham has been named as the National Coach of the Year by British Gymnastics this week at the 6th British Gymnastics National Awards ceremony.
The award for ‘Outstanding Coach of the Year” was awarded to Stuart Thompson, of Deerness Gymnastics Academy. This award recognises an individual from the British Gymnastics High Performance programmes who has produced outstanding International results through their athletes during 2014.
The British Gymnastics National Awards celebrated the achievements of some the most inspirational people in the gymnastics community at Manchester Cathedral in a glittering award ceremony where gymnasts and coaches from across the country, from Olympic medal winners to grassroots volunteers, gathered to see who had been crowned the best in the sport this year.
Stuart Thompson, 40, from Durham is a high performance coach in acrobatic gymnastics and last year returned from the world age group championships with all of his eight gymnasts winning Gold. He has previously coached senior world champions and world games silver medallists.
“It’s a real honour to receive this award,” said Stuart Thompson. “As there are so many dedicated coaches involved in gymnastics working tirelessly to develop and mentor their gymnast’s right across the country.
“I am very fortunate to be able to have a career in a sport that I love and I also have to thank my colleagues at Deerness Gymnastics Academy, the gymnasts and their parents for all of their hard work and commitment too. Without that the club wouldn’t gain the success that it does on a national and international stage.”
Following success as a gymnast in his own right, winning a bronze medal at the World Games in a men’s four in acrobatic gymnastics he turned to coaching in 1998 at what has now become Deerness Gymnastics Academy. Over the past 17 years Stuart has coached many British, European and World Champions at the club in Ushaw Moor, County Durham. He is also the coach and choreographer for Acropolis, the entertainment group that won Lets Gets Gold on ITV1 in 2012.
From outstanding elite gymnasts proudly taking medals on the world stage to the passionate workforce and volunteers dedicated to delivering the sport, the national awards ceremony was a fantastic celebration of gymnastics.
“Stuart has been involved in acrobatic gymnastics since he was a teenager, first as a international gymnast and then dedicating himself to becoming one of the top coaches in the country,” said Karl Wharton, director of Deerness Gymnastics Academy.
“It takes a lot of time, dedication and commitment to become a high performance coach and then to go on and win multiple medals on the world stage is no mean feat. The whole club is very proud of Stuart and I hope this award will inspire many of our gymnasts and young coaches to stay in the sport and together we hope the club will go on to be even more successful in the future.”
Over the past few years Deerness Gymnastics Academy has gone from strength to strength. Attracting gymnasts from right across the region, the club located in Ushaw Moor, County Durham provides many young people throughout Durham and the north east with the opportunity to improve their health and physical development, promote social and emotional skills as well as boost their confidence.
As a volunteer-led club, it has responsibility not only for coaching, training and the development of gymnasts, but also the training facility itself, Deerness Gymnastics Academy has maintained its status as one of the most successful clubs in Great Britain and continues to be recognised on the international scene as one of the top clubs in the world, with over 100 international gymnasts with more than eighty World and European medallists, including 15 World and European Champions in its roll of honour.
Gymnastics coaching in acrobatics, tumbling and trampolining is available to all ages from novice to elite level. Recreational classes are available for children from 3 years and Baby gym sessions take place on weekdays..
To find out more call: 0191 373 9413, email: contact@deernessgymnastics.org.uk or visit www.deernessgymnastics.org.uk follow on twitter @deernessga or find on Facebook
Source: Durham Coach Wins National Award from British Gymnastics | Bdaily Business News
Broompark Play area Officialy Opened (From Durham Times)
A CHILDREN’S play area in north Durham has been officially opened following a lengthy campaign by residents.
Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council recently completed the refurbishment of the £45,000 Broompark Play Area, on Broom Lane, near Durham City.
Parish council clerk Susan Carmedy said: “The same play site came up as a community concern and request for refurbishment in 2011 when several young people and residents sent a petition to the local MP Roberta Blackman-Woods.
“This was then looked at by Durham County Council’s outdoor sport and leisure department alongside the area action partnership, however further community consultation led to the play site next to Deerness Gymnastics Academy being refurbished.
“A lack of toddler play was again brought to the attention of the parish councillors and the county councillors for the area during the elections in 2013 and as the county council would not take this forward the parish council decided to take the lead.”
The proposed project went on to win £5,000 at the subsequent Village Vote event in November 2013.
Further funding was found from Durham County Councillors David Bell, Jean Chaplow and Anne Bonner, Mid Durham Area Action partnership and from Section 106 money secured from Gleeson Homes as part of their Ushaw Moor housing development at the former infant school site.
The play area is owned by Durham County Council, but the parish council has secured a 25 year lease.
It will be jointly managed by both authorities with the county cutting the grass and the parish maintaining the equipment.
Children from the St Joseph’s and Silver Trees Primary Schools were consulted on the choice of the final design.
Equipment caters for toddlers up to 11 years old and there are also four pieces of adult outdoor fitness equipment on the site.
Andy Coulthard, coordinator for Mid-Durham Area Action Partnership, said: “This project is real example what people power can achieve.
“Local children and their families have campaigned over many years for new play facilities in this part of the village.
“The refurbishment of the play area has been jointly funded and includes contributions from local county councillors and the AAP.
“We’re delighted to be able to support this project, in partnership with the local parish council.
“The new play area, which features new play and fitness equipment, is already proving popular with families.”
via Play area opened following public campaign (From Durham Times).
Karl Wharton named Local Hero of the Year for his tireless work supporting young gymnasts
THE guiding light behind one of the North-East’s most successful gymnastics clubs was crowned 2014 Local Hero by sporting legend Steve Cram tonight (Thursday).
The 15th annual Northern Echo Local Heroes award saw sports stars, enthusiasts and administrators from across the North-East honoured at Darlington’s Dolphin Centre.
More than 800 people, including VIP guests such as former Sunderland ace Kevin Ball and athlete Allison Curbishley, saw Karl Wharton named Local Hero of the Year for his tireless work supporting young gymnasts.
The 51-year-old, from Ushaw Moor, founded the Deerness Gymnastics Academy and has dedicated 25 years of his life to helping youngsters and growing his club into one of the most successful sporting institutions in the region.
Mr Wharton has helped hundreds of gymnasts achieve sporting success, with more than 100 of his protégés representing Great Britain, over 80 winning medals and seven crowned as either European or world champions.
The university lecturer also served on the gymnastic’s world governing body and oversees the day-to-day running of the academy in his spare time.
Northern Echo editor and compere Peter Barron said: “In choosing a winner, the judges had an unenviable task.
“It was the closest call in the 15-year history of these awards, but the casting vote went to someone who epitomises what these awards are all about.
“It is someone who has invested a great deal of precious time into helping others excel at sport.
“It is someone who started from humble beginnings and created something very special – one of the leading grass roots sports organisations, not just in the North but the country.”
Mr Wharton also picked up the Sir Bobby Robson Leading Light Award and was awarded £5,000 by the County Durham Community Foundation in recognition of his dedication.
Cheerleading Classes at Deerness Gymnastics Academy
CHEERLEADING CLASSES AT DEERNESS GYMNASTICS ACADEMY IN USHAW MOOR…
Coached by an ex-team GB gymnast… age 5-14s… hurry places are filling fast! like the page and contact us for details http://www.facebook.com/CheerDurham
Sir Bobby’s old club is relaunched for the next generation of footballers From The Northern Echo
THE junior football club where a young Sir Bobby Robson learned his skills, has been re-launched after 20 years on the touchline.
Lady Elsie Robson, widow of the former Newcastle and England manager, attended the official opening of Langley Park Hotspurs FC on Saturday.
A football tournament was held for the new young teams who now play at Langley Park Sports and Social Club during the day, followed by an evening disco.
Sir Bobby played for Langley Park Juniors from the age of 11, before signing for Fulham aged 17.
The club is run on a voluntary basis and parents have raised cash over recent weeks by doing lots of fundraising events such as sponsored cycle rides.
Club fundraiser Joy Freeman said: “It was fab day. It was brilliant. The weather was definitely on our side.
“They are still working out the money, but quite a lot was raised.
“Lady Elsie was great. She was talking about how great it was to have football back in the village.
“She said she was born in house opposite the football club and wished the boys a lot of luck.
“She gave a speech and did the official opening and the lads bought her a cake and some flowers to say ‘thank you’.”
via Sir Bobby’s old club is relaunched for the next generation of footballers From The Northern Echo.
Gold rush for Deerness Gymnastics Academy gymnasts
Eight gymnasts from Deerness Gymnastics Academy, Ushaw Moor in County Durham have returned home as world champions after they all took Gold in their age group competitions this weekend while competing for Great Britain.
They competed in the FIG Acrobatic Gymnastics World Age Group Competitions in Paris.
READ MORE Gold rush for North East world champ gymnasts | Tyne Tees – ITV News.
World’s a stage for Deerness eight – Sunderland Echo
All eight are British champions, as well as being European silver medallists, with the Ushaw Moor-based youngsters up against the world’s elite.
The competition performances will include intricate balances performed by pairs, trios and quartets, with multiple and twisting somersaults with partners being pitched and caught.
Abbi Greaves (13) and Chelsea Fisher (17) look to build on their success in the 12-18 years woman’s pair, while Millie Nesbitt (15) and Liam Sneath (17) are in the 12-18 mixed pair event.
In the 11-16 category, Michael Gill (16), Nathan Brady (16), Stuart Napier (15) and Finn Gavin (12) will compete in the men’s group.
Deerness’s head of gymnastics, Stuart Thompson, said: “Although they have all represented Great Britain before, there is a lot of competition throughout the world in what is a growing discipline of gymnastics.
“Even though they are all very talented gymnasts, they will have to perform at their very best in the competition to achieve their goals of a medal.
“In 2012, four gymnasts from Deerness Gymnastics Academy took the gold medal in the senior men’s group at the World Championships in Florida, so it would be great to build on this success on the world stage.”
Body Blitz – Boot camp – Ushaw Moor Chapel Hall
Great news ladies and gentlemen got the Chapel hall at Ushaw Moor boot camp will start on Monday 9th June.
It will be on a Monday, Wednesday and Thursday night 6 till 7 pm first class will be FREE.
Includes:
Boxercise, ab blast, kettlebelss and loads more its free on Monday first class then
£4.50 or if you bring a friend £25 for the first month.
Deerness Tumblers Make the Grade for Two National Finals
Gymnasts at Deerness Gymnastics Academy are celebrating after a record 16 young tumblers qualify for the finals of the National NDP Tumbling Championships.
The 16 tumblers had to win gold or silver in the regional finals before then placing 8th or higher in the semi finals to qualify for the finals which will be held on 5 and 6 July 2014.
Competing against the best tumblers in the country the 16 gymnasts from the Durham club have four tumblers qualifying in first place – Solomon Cornwell, Amy Jeff, Rebecca Temperley, and Darcey Garbutt; four in second place – Noah Glanville, James Richardson, Jessica Vaughan and Ellie Cook; one in third – Olivia McFarlane ; three in fourth – Lucia Woodhouse, Rebecca Dixon and Melissa Overal; two in fifth – Charlotte March and Harry Wharton; and one each in sixth – Erin Stone and seventh place – Cleo Watson.
via Deerness Tumblers Make the Grade for Two National Finals.
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