Gymnasts eye national glory

STRIKE A POSE... Knowsley Junior School pupils Jonathan Walton (top) Gabrielle Laird (middle) and Darcy Lucas.

YOUNG gymnasts from Knowsley Junior School will fly the flag for Oldham in the National Schools gymnastics finals in Stoke next month.

The chance to represent the borough came after the successful participation in the North-West Schools gymnastics competition at Wigan’s JJB Stadium.

It was the performances of Jonathan Walton and Gabrielle Laird in the under-11s event which paved the way to the finals.

Laird and Walton were crowned mixed pair champions, while Laird and Darcy Lucas teamed up to claim a fine 13th place in the girls pairs.

And those performances left teacher Jenny Jackson singing their praises. She said: “It was a very tough competition and everyone worked very hard.

“It’s not one of those things you can just turn up to and take part, you have to practice until everything is perfect.”

So devoted were the children, they even found themselves preparing at the most unlikely of times.

“They practised over the holidays and after school,” added Jackson. “But they loved it. Everyone is so enthusiastic, including the parents.”

Head teacher Jane Goodwin said: “The school is very proud of the pupils’ achievements. They deserve lots of praise for their hard work and dedication.”