Team GB Rhythmic Gymnasts Inspire Prior Park Pupils

22 Jun 2012

With the upright yet graceful posture of the nimble athletes that they are, and proudly wearing their brand new Team GB tracksuits, four members of the British Rhythmic Gymnastics Squad addressed Prior Park College pupils during Assembly this week. Led by coach, Sarah Moon, the gymnasts, Jade Faulkner, Louisa Pouli and Rachel Smith, spoke of their difficult journey to get to this year’s Olympics. The team won an appeal against British Gymnastics’ decision not to nominate a rhythmic gymnastics teams for London 2012, and ever since have been training hard to make sure that they are in peak condition for the event. They will be making history as the first ever British Rhythmic Gymnastics team to compete at the Olympic Games.
The team members spoke to Prior Park pupils about their rigorous fulltime training programme, which they undertake at the University of Bath. They said they were looking forward to the Olympics and competing against countries such as Italy, Spain, Belarus and Russia.
Prior Park College Headmaster, James Murphy-O’Connor, presented the team with a cheque from the College Charities group to help in the final phase of their Olympic campaign. Mr Murphy-O’Connor commented: “Even before the Games begin, these Rhythmic Gymnasts have demonstrated one of the key Olympic values that we have been learning about and living in our daily school life – determination. Their story has many lessons for us all and we wish them every success in London.”
Coach, Sarah Binding responded: “We were overwhelmed to receive some money from Prior Park College. Every penny makes a huge difference to us. This money will go towards funding the apparatus that we will use at the games. We are very grateful.”
The squad were then photographed with Prior Park Year 8 pupil and nationally ranked rhythmic gymnast, Kate Mosely.

Photo: The squad with the Headmaster and nationally ranked junior rhythmic gymnast, Kate Mosely.