Gymnaestrada
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The First World Gymnaestrada was held in 1953 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Since then it has been held every four years and is the largest and most important event in the gymnastics calendar. Each Gymnaestrada, tens of thousands of gymnasts come from all over the world and meet to display their skill in their particular field of gymnastics.
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Amsterdam 1991 In 1991 the club took part in our first major international event. 14 gymnasts and 8 adults travelled to Amsterdam to perform "Lightning Express," choreographed by the late Bob Chandler. The participants were Ben Handler, John & David Smith, Ian Coupar, Freddie Mason, Steven Allen, Lee Herbert, Tom & Joe Hannon, Albert Izibili, Dylan Kemp, Daniel Canty and Anthony Butcher. Head of delegation were Jackie Lewis & John White (National Coach), coaches Stewart Lawrence & Tina Cousins and helpers Sylvia Handler, Rick Smith, Sue Smith & Alan Coupar (not pictured.) |
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Berlin 1995 The 10th World Gymnaestrada held in Berlin in 1995 was Croydon School of Gymnastics' second. Our team of 21 gymnasts and 11 staff was part of the BGA delegation of 795 gymnasts who travelled out to Berlin in July 1995, eagerly awaiting the experience of a lifetime. Once there they performed a choreographed gymnastics display by Louise Bateman to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in front of 4 packed out audiences comprised of spectators from 36 nations who were also taking part and an additional 16 nations viewing the event. The performers: Fiona Tamplin, Clinthia Thomas, Kelly Ross, Kim Mason, Jody Strong, Gemma Ross, Ian Coupar, Freddie Mason, Kate Antjoule, Paul Grace, Nathaneal Johnston, Craig Ross, Marsha Allen, Ryan Evans, Ben Horton, Ben Morgan, Hannah Lewis, Steven Sargent, Guy Ramus, Emma Roach. Coaches: Jackie Lewis, Kate Harman, Adam Borrie, Tanya Adolpho. Chaperons: Alan Coupar, Alison Sargent, Alan Roach, Pat Roach, Kelly Roach, Anne Ramus. One of the most impressive factors of the display was of course the make-up and costume. Because of the time needed to apply the make-up it had to be done before travelling to the venue: A load of zombies catching the train was certainly a sight that turned heads! Of course the organisation of just one team in such a major event was extremely hard and tiring. "Never again" said Jackie Lewis, who organised the expedition... ....and plans were soon underway for Goteburg 1999! |
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Goteburg 1999 Because of the huge time spent applying zombie make-up for "Thriller" in Berlin 1995, a much less messy display was thought of for Goteburg. In July 1999, nineteen chimney sweeps in our "Mary Poppins" display went winging their way to Sweden for the largest gymnastics festival in the world. The cost of participating in such an event is quite exorbitant. We would like to take this opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU to Pat Roach and Jane Fitzpatrick and their wonderful Fundraising Team for their fantastic work in softening the blow on everybody's bank-balances! Performers: Stephanie Marnell as Mary Poppins, Ian Coupar as Bert, Rebecca & Sophie Perry as the children, Paul Grace, Adam Davies, Freddie Mason, Daniel Gayle, Gemma Mills, Nee Sykes, Daniel Burke, Richard Potton, Joshua Quiney, Alex Winchurch, Emma Roach, Amy Fitzpatrick, Karl Vijayaratnam, Katie Russell and Jessica Mills. Head of Delegation: Jackie Lewis. Coaches: Kelly Roach and Christopher Hunter. Chaperons: Peter Quiney, Mark & Emma Perry, Alan & Pat Roach, Jane Fitzpatrick. Huge thanks must also go to Paul Thompkinson for choreographing the routine and to Jackie Lewis for coaching the gymnastics skill required and bearing the brunt of organising Croydon's participation in the event! |
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