Would like to thank all gymnasts, coaches, parents and trustees for all their good wishes, cards and pressies. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Salto and after listening to Graham’s speech the other week it got me thinking so I did some research on my coaching career. As a coach one of your proudest moments has to be winning a gold medal at nationals, knowing you have the best gymnasts in the country at that grade at that time – I did this in 1993 with a Grade 4 trio Claire Young, Kathyrn Lacey and Vicky Phengseri. This moment is closely followed by winning a silver medal the following year at the British Tournament with Kathryn and Vicky who were then invited to train with the GB squad. Since starting up the acro section in the late1980s with Dick Turner whose daughter Julie was my first ever national finalist and if truth be told the reason we started training on a regular basis. I have trained, if my records are correct, at least 80 gymnasts who have qualified for national finals including 7 different mixed pairs, 1 mens pair, 19 womens pairs, 6 womens groups and 4 schools groups. I feel the time is right for me to take a step back with the introduction of a new NDP this September and a crop of good, enthusiastic younger coaches coming through the ranks. I am carrying on as a judge so I will be down at competitions. I wish everyone involved in acro continued success in the future.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 17:10:55 +0000