A YEAR END CLEAN UP ........ On Sunday 30th December, a handful of us who had nothing better to do over the Yuletide period, embarked on a clean up mission in the gym.  Armed with paint brushes Brian Cockerill and Lee Birchenough re-painted 2 of the walls in the gym that needed a fresh coat of paint, plus a few other bits.  They also painted the floor at the end of the corridor and the floor in the toilet that never got finished last year during the refurbishment.  Then Lee made the big mistake of asking me if there was anything else that needed doing.  Underneath the trampoline he went and it is now spotless.  A grand job done there.  He wasn't going to come to the pub with us after - he soon changed his mind after this task ! Rachel Hall, Jackie Mawdsley and Shelley Birchenough attacked the changing rooms, toilets and kitchen.  Changing rooms first - and it must be said that the girls are animals !!  A bin liner was filled with the rubbish from the floor before they could even get to the carpet!! - No excuse girls - there is a bin in there.  You wouldn't leave your home like this - don't do it in the gym!!  This is your gym too - look after it !!  The toilets were cleaned, and cleaned and cleaned.  Now they are sparkling and need to be kept this way!  All mats have been taken for a wash and will be back soon!  Everything that could be scrubbed in the kitchen was scrubbed.  Bins all fully cleaned out.  Floor severely brushed and mopped.   Tea towels also taken home for a much needed wash. Meanwhile Cheryl and Santa's Little Helper, Nicola Bridge, attacked the gym.  It has to be said that this is the first time that Noddy has done everything that was asked of her all day long!!  However, she was a great help.  She came to help out because she was bored at home and had wanted to start back training the week before!  After this she may have second thoughts next time!  Her polishing skills aren't too bad though. We could hire her out! The gym was scrubbed, the back room was scrubbed, all equipment cleaned.  The curtains have been taken home for a wash and Cheryl managed to hook herself up in the process of taking them down !!  No comments please !  And also managed to break the handstand trainer !!  Sorry folks.  Gymnova have been called into action and you will be able to use it again as soon as it is fixed, along with the beam that fell to pieces before Xmas. Jackie rigourously mopped the floor on the way out and all was done !! Many thanks to Brian Cockerill, Lee Birchenough, Jackie Mawdsley, Nicola Bridge, Shelley Birchenough, and Rachel Hall.  This could not have been done in the time we did it in without all the help you gave.  Much appreciated. And after a good days work off we went to the Success to the Plough for much needed drinks and a scrumptious tea!!

	A REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2007........   JANUARY A new year and a new floor. FEBRUARY 100% pass rate and 12 distinctions at the GMGA Grades Finals.  3 Qualify for Regional Finals and 1 County Champion Entertainment provided by ROGC at the annual Curry King Competition at the Raj Restaurant MARCH Another 100% pass rate at the NWGA Grades.  4 Qualify for the British Finals, 2 Regional Champions and 3 gymnasts represent the County   APRIL 71 medals, 7 Overall Individual Champions and the Team Trophy for the 6th year running at the Stockport Championships 1 Overall Individual Champion, 21 medals and many first time competitors at the Phil Tighe Memorial Championships 4 gymnasts represent the North West in the British Grades Finals, 3 bronze medallists Bury Gymnastics Club gymnasts join us to train as a devasting fire destroyed their gym MAY 4 Overall Individual Champions, 19 Apparatus Champions and 78 medals at the GMGA Floor & Vault and 4 Piece Championships 4 gymnasts represent the North West Region in the British Grades Finals JUNE Level 4 Team Champions and silver medallists in the Level 3 from the Kent Open Club Team Championships 2 Regional Champions from the North West Floor & Vault Championships A new team and a fresh start for the club JULY ROGC Gymnasts entertained the crowds at Diggle School 2 Overall Champions, 4 Most Artistic Floor Routines and many medals at ROGC's annual Invitational Floor & Vault Championships Saturday Morning Beginners Classes extended A day out at Camelot AUGUST Holiday time for everybody! Summer School sessions run successfully for the first time All our coaches and helpers are first aid trained The Birches Hotel in Whitworth hosted our Bank Holiday Fun Day SEPTEMBER Medallists in all 3 team competitions entered in the NWGA Team Championships and Pre-Novice Team Champions 3 coaches pass their Level 1 Mens Artistic Coaching Examination 2 overall medallists and many apparatus awards at the Alpha Factor UK Invitational OCTOBER Safeguarding and Protection Children Awareness Training carried out at the club The 2007 Halloween Party attracted the whole club NOVEMBER 2 more qualified Womens Artistic Judges for the club A successful team effort in the Isle of Man Invitational Team Championships 1 Regional Overall Individual Champion and 8 Apparatus Champions from the North West Individual Championships DECEMBER 2 nominations and 1 winner at the North West Awards Evening

	NORTH WEST GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS EVENING........ 2 NOMINATIONS & 1 WINNER Yes, our very own Cheryl Gharbi and Fiona Wright have come up trumps on behalf of Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club They were nominated by Julia Block, a member of the committee at the club, and a parent of one of the club’s gymnasts Elyse Murray, for the North West Gymnastics Association awards.  Cheryl for a Long Service Award and Fiona for an award as Competition and Events Organiser. Never before had we entered anybody, so Julia thought we would give it a try.  We heard that, after fighting off stiff competition, the dynamic duo had been short listed.  The awards evening was held at Lancashire County Cricket Club, with numerous other clubs from around the North West in attendance for a variety of awards being presented. Cheryl received a special certificate of commendation in the Long Service Category.  Cheryl is totally and completely committed to gymnastics, in a way that the club has never seen in others. She has been with Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club for over 30 years.  Whatever the weather, however many turn up, whoever is there, whatever needs doing, she does it. Cheryl commits endless amounts of time, effort, energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the cause. She has a great sense of humour but most of all, Cheryl shows professionalism to ensure that the girls she coaches get the best, both from themselves and from the Club. She not only coaches, but she also buys the milk so everyone can have a cuppa, orders track suits for the girls, cleans the toilets and hoovers the gym at 7 in the morning, books hotels, runs the website, writes letters, and organises surprise 60th birthday parties, organises courses, sends coaches on courses, ensures the first aid box has plasters in - amongst a whole range of other activities. Cheryl cares passionately about the girls she coaches, and has stuck with the club through thick and thin. Fiona fought off the competition to take home the glass trophy and be named as number one competition and events organiser in the North West. Fiona is there, wherever we go!  Most of the competitions the club is involved in Fiona has either organised or judged at.  She is there running around organising people, equipment, judges meetings and even the gymnasts! Fiona is the North West competition organiser, and as such, sets up a whole range of large and small events across the region.  Fiona spends all her spare time on the phone, on the computer, travelling to other clubs to meet people, sending emails and letters and generally crossing the "i"s and dotting the "t"s to ensure successful and well run events across the North West region. She has a flair for getting people to do what is necessary and never gets flustered or annoyed when things don't go quite according to plan. She is a true star because at the end of each event, the gymnasts who receive their medals/awards do so because Fiona has made a great day absolutely brilliant and thoroughly deserves this award. Cheryl and Fiona were both in attendance at the awards evening, once again putting Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club in the limelight.

	NORTH WEST GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION PRE-NOVICE, NOVICE, LEVEL 4 & 3 OUT OF AGE INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS  ........ 1 REGIONAL OVERALL CHAMPION 8 REGIONAL APPARATUS CHAMPIONS   The final competition to round off 2007 for Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club involved travelling to Birchwood Leisure Complex in Warrington to compete in the North West Gymnastics Association Pre-Novice, Novice, and Level 4 and 3 Out of Age Individual Championships, 2007. The gymnasts produced some super performances and the club now boasts a Regional Overall Individual Champion with Gabrielle Southern and between them Gabrielle Southern, Danielle Parkinson, Alanna Daly, Cassandra Iberson, Robyn Carter, Jessica Gilchrist and Eloise Hayward amassed eight Regional Apparatus Championship titles, in a competition which attracted more than 250 competitors from clubs all over the North West Region. Gabrielle Southern was the star of the weekend when at the last hurdle she took advantage of others mistakes and was rewarded with top podium spot and crowned the North West Pre-Novice Under 12 Overall Individual Champion with a total score of (49.583).  Not being contented with the one title Gabrielle also took the vault title (11.55), and the bars title (13.50). The Rochdale girls stole the show and dominated this section of the weekend taking the top 3 podium positions in the fight for the overall title with Emily Slide finishing in 2nd place overall (49.033). Her first competition following recovery from a broken arm earlier in the year this was a superb performance from Emily as she earned three more silver medal winning positions on Vault (11.50), Bars (12.90), and Floor (12.90).  Joining them in the title haul Danielle Parkinson finished in 3rd place (48.916).  Danielle started the competition with a superb beam routine and earned the title on this apparatus with the gold medal (12.933), and also took the bronze on vault (11.45). Megan O’Shea took bronze medal for her floor routine (12.866), narrowly missing out on an overall position finishing in 5th place (48.032).  Still improving and showing potential for the future, Fiona Payton returned home with a string of silver medals from the Pre-Novice Under 9 event where she finished 2nd Vault (11.5), 2nd Beam (12.15), 2nd Floor (13.166), 2nd Overall (49.316).  Rheann Newsham gained a top 10 finish in the Novice Under 12 event finishing in 8th place overall (49.45). Cassandra Iberson, Pre-Novice Under 10 and Alanna Daly, Novice Under 10, returned home as North West Bars Champions in their respective levels with Cassandra scoring 13.266 for 1st place and Alanna 13.05 for a super routine. Eleanor Briggs had a steady event in the Novice Under 9 competition to round off the year with a 10th position (47.683).  Eloise Hayward dominated the vault competition in the Novice Over 14 Section and was crowned champion in 1st place (11.55).  In the Level 4 Senior event Jessica Gilchrist had a super clean competition to finish the clubs top scorer in 5th position overall (46.10).  This was aided by a superbly performed floor routine which gave her the Regional Title (12.7), and a third place on bars (11.4).  Sabrina Birchenough finished close behind Jessica in the overall standings in 6th place (45.85), and earned the third spot on the podium for her beam routine (11.85).  The Level 3 Open Age competition rounded off the weekend and by a mere 0.1 of a mark Robyn Carter just missed out on the overall title finishing in 2nd place overall with a total score of 49.30 marks.  A steady consistent performance earned 2nd place on Vault (13.025), and Bars (11.75), and a very classy show on the floor earned Robyn the regional title as she stormed to victory for 1st place (12.55).  Nicola Bridge earned 3rd place on bars (11.60).  Paige Kelly had a consistent all round event finishing in 6th place overall (47.60), just finishing behind the medal placings on all pieces of apparatus.  Alexandra Bagshaw and Kirsty Armitage competed in their first four piece apparatus competition in this event and gained some valuable experience for the future in the Pre-Novice Under 8 section, as did Lucy Vernon in the Pre-Novice Under 10 and Eleysha Jackson in the Pre-Novice Under 12.  Other competitors were Gabriella Wright, Taylor Griffin, Emma Holmes, Mary Elcock, Zoe Blackstone, Georgia Hall, Lucia Thorley.

	THE ISLE OF MAN INVITATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS ........   A team of 5 gymnasts from Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics travelled to the Isle of Man for the last team competition of the year and competed in the Under 13’s section of the Isle of Man Invitational Team Championships, 2007. Faye Padden, Elyse Murray, Jessica Gilchrist, Mary Elcock and Georgia Hall made up the Rochdale OGC team.  The club achieved everything hoped for and collectively the team eventually just missed out on a podium position finishing in 4th place overall with a combined team total of 224.417 marks.  In fine style and with great personality the team made almost no errors and achieved everything they were asked to do.  The team performance was focused on form and style rather than difficulty, and together they put on a consistent team performance.  The team score was made up of 45.267 (Vault), 56.450 (Bars), 59.200 (Beam), 63.500 (Floor), being the 3rd highest scoring team on vault, beam and floor. Faye was top team scorer finishing in 5th position overall with a clean competition for a combined overall score of 48.617 and her consistent achievement was honoured when she received a silver medal podium position for a super floor routine that scored 13.35 marks.  Elyse 13th (46.467), Jessica 14th (46.383), Mary 19th (45.10), and Georgia 21st (44.917) made up the final team position.  Elyse, still improving and showing potential for the future, performed an excellent beam routine and just missed out on an overall positioning finishing in 4th (12.65).  The girls will now be working towards the forthcoming North West Individual Championships to be held in Warrington next weekend.

	TWO MORE QUALIFIED JUDGES FOR THE CLUB  ........   The club now boasts two more qualified womens artistic judges on the new cycle.  Rachel Hall and Shelley Birchenough took the 2007 judging course earlier in the year and on the 10th November we had our fingers crossed as they both braved the examination. We didn't need to worry.  They both passed with flying colours and both are throwing themselves in at the deep end straight away as they will be judging the forthcoming North West Individual Championships to be held in Warrington.  Better doing it now girls whilst everything is fresh in your mind.........Well done to you both.

	BRITISH GYMNASTICS SAFEGUARDING AND PROTECTING CHILDREN AWARENESS TRAINING  ........   On Wednesday 31st October, the gymnasts had a night off training and coaches, committee members and springboard members had a night in training.  Mike Lockett, Regional Welfare Officer for the North West, attended the club and presented the new updated British Gymnastics Safeguarding and Protecting Children Awareness Training Module. Attending the training course were Cheryl Gharbi, Graham Latimer, Abigail Towriss, Francesca Gordon, Nigel Crocker, Stewart Smith, Lucia Thorley, Brenda Hilton, Louise Whiteside, Sabrina Birchenough, Sara Thomas, Stacey Daly, Richard Wright, Faye Padden, Robyn Carter, Fiona Wright, Shelley Birchenough, Jeannie Seager, Rachel Hall, Carol Jackson, Rorrie Fenton, Helen Payton, and Andrea Fielding who are now all fully up to date with the latest policies and procedures with regards to protecting children. Another course will be organised as soon as possible for the remainiing coaches, committee members and helpers within the club.

	THE NORTH WEST TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS ........ NWGA PRE-NOVICE TEAM CHAMPIONS & BRONZE MEDALLISTS IN THE NOVICE & LEVEL 4 CHAMPIONSHIPS Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics club entered 3 teams of gymnasts who travelled to Birchwood Leisure Complex, Warrington to compete in the North West Team Championships, 2007. At the end of another very successful weekend every gymnast in all three teams returned to base with a medal.   The Pre-Novice team of Danielle Parkinson, Gabrielle Southern, Cassandra Iberson, Fiona Payton and Jessica Wood reigned supreme and were crowned the North West Gymnastics Association Pre-Novice Team Champions for 2007.  A close fought contest saw the Rochdale girls emerge the outright winners with a total team tally of 147.499 marks made up of 33.733 (Vault), 37.15 (Bars), 37.55 (Beam), and 39.066 (Floor).  The team presented some confident performances and emerged well in the individual honours too.  Danielle Parkinson took top spot overall (49.050), closely followed by Gabrielle Southern in 3rd (48.833).  Danielle and Cassandra’s scores could not be separated on bars where they both earned 12.40 for 3rd spot.  Another 3rd spot was awarded to Fiona Payton for a superb floor routine (13.166), and Cassandra with a score of 12.95 earned 2nd place for a clean performance on the beam.   The Novice Team of Victoria Stanton, Charlotte Wood, Rheann Newsham, Eleanor Briggs and Gabriella Wright had a very creditable performance to bring home the bronze medals for their performances on Vault (35.00), Bars (35.60), Beam (39.15), and Floor (42.332) for a total team tally of 152.082 for 3rd position overall on the podium.  Charlotte gave an excellent performance on the beam for 1st place (13.80), and earned 3rd spot on Vault (11.75), just behind Victoria who earned top spot for her vault in 1st place (11.85). Rheann gave an inspiring performance on the floor to earn 3rd place (14.366). Day two of the competition saw the Level 4 Team in action.  Sabrina Birchenough, Mary Elcock, Emma Holmes, Jessica Gilchrist and Georgia Hall narrowly missed out on the team silver medal by less then 0.1 of a mark and finished the competition in 3rd place with total scores of 35.85 (Vault), 33.000 (Bars), 35.25 (Beam) and 36.466 (Floor), for a final team score of 140.566 for the bronze medals. Jessica and Georgia were carrying injuries sustained in the previous weekends competition but the whole team were an inspiration as they worked their way round the competition without a single fall between them on any piece of apparatus. Sabrina shone individually ending the event in 2nd place overall (47.883), aided by a super floor score of 12.733.  Mary finished 3rd on vault (12.20), and Emma earned 2nd spot on beam (12.00).

	THE ALPHA FACTOR UK INVITATIONAL ........ SOME GOOD PERFORMANCES IN AN OUTSTANDING LEVEL OF COMPETITION Gymnasts from Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club travelled down to the Wiltshire School of Gymnastics in Melksham to compete in the annual Alpha Factor  UK Invitational, 2007.  A record number of entries culminated in 2 very long days of competition which turned out to be of an exceptionally high standard from all the participants at every level of the event. Six of the nine gymnasts that travelled competed in this prestigious event for the fist time at this exceptionally high level.  A full capacity crowd created a wonderful atmosphere for all the entrants and this spurred them on to produce some outstanding performances. Robyn Carter earned a podium finish in the Level 3 Over 13 section of the weekend finishing in 3rd place overall with a combined total score of 44.720 marks, aided by a new skill and higher start value for her vault which earned her the top ranking spot and 1st place with 12.27 marks.  Nicola Bridge competed alongside Robyn and eventually finished in 7th place overall with 42.82 marks.  Nicola gave an impressive display on the floor with her routine which brought home 3rd place with 12.15 marks. In a field of over 50 gymnasts Emma Holmes tackled the Level 4 10/11 years event, which would prove to be a very difficult task.  Emma competed well to earn 27th spot overall with an eventual final score of 42.70 marks. The Level 4 Over 12 gymnasts had a successful event and Sabrina Birchenough earned 2nd spot on the podium for her overall individual performance across the apparatus for a score of 46.99 marks to secure the overall silver medal.  Two 3rd placings on Bars (11.67), and Beam (11.35) helped towards this tremendous achievement in such great company. Also tacking the Over 12 Level 4 section were Mary Elcock 10th (44.70), Zoe Blackstone 12th (44.46), and Elyse Murray 14th (44.16) who all had competitions to be proud of.  Elyse performed a beautiful beam routine and placed 1st overall in this category where she scored 11.90 marks, and Mary just missed out on the top spot on floor finishing in 2nd place on this apparatus where she scored 12.30.  Jessica Gilchrist and Georgia Hall unfortunately had to be withdrawn from the competition due to injury after making a good start.  However, they did get to compete some apparatus with Jessica performing her floor routine for 11.10, and Georgia competing on floor where she scored 11.80 and vault where she tallied 11.27 marks. It was a great competition and the gymnasts were a credit to the club and did themselves proud.

	3 MORE COACHES PASS EXAMS ........   Three of the clubs mums Sara Thomas, Lisa Hambleton and Stacey Daly all embarked on the coaching scene about 6 months ago in the gym in the boys squad.   A couple of months later they "willingly" participated in the Mens Artistic Level 1 Coaching Course and returned to the gym totally bemused over a number of things ! Anyway, following lots of coaching hours spent in the gym, time came for their examinations.  They travelled to the City of Manchester Institute of Gymnastics for their exam and all three of them passed with flying colours and are now fully qualified Level 1 Mens Artistic Gymnastics Coaches.  Thanks to Paul Hockwart and John Handley for all the mentoring hours, and well done to all.

	ALL OUR COACHES HAVE BEEN FIRST AID TRAINED ........   AND THEY HAD FUN TOO..... A first for the club.  On Sunday 2nd September all the gymnasts had a day off and all the coaches were put through the ropes and were First Aid Trained for 6 hours solid. M2M First Aid kindly offered to run the course for us and the training was provided by a qualified trauma and emergency aid trainer from the fire service and a qualified practitioner and teacher in emergency medicine, alias Andrea Fielding! Graham Latimer, Richard Wright, Francesca Gordon, Abigail Towriss, Louise Whiteside, Jemma Hayes, Victoria Abbott, Lucia Thorley, Lois Howard, Robyn Carter, Sara Thomas, Stacey Daly, Sabrina Birchenough, Shelley Birchenough, Joanne Elcock, Stewart Smith, along with Kath Thorley and Tracey Kyle from Bury all endured the course and in addition to learning a tremendous amount had a great day together......................... Abi's first attempt at a sling ! Nicola Bridgs didn't do that to you did she Robyn? Hope you didn't get any blood on our new floor Vic? It took 3 of them to move Richard ! M2M First Aid Sabrina & Abi fell asleep on the job ! Resuscitation Annie arrived in the gym too.. But could they bring her back to life ? Robyn - you don't have to get that close to hear Frankie ! Frankie or Resuscitation Annie - Frightening Likeness!! And Abi finally got her sling right ! ROGC'S VERY OWN QUALIFIED EMERGENCY FIRST AIDERS All candidates received a certificate in Emergency First Aid from M2M, a recognised first aid training company, upon completion of their busy day.  Well done to them all.

	THE ROCHDALE OGC INVITATIONAL FLOOR & VAULT CHAMPIONSHIPS........WINGATES, 2007   2 OVERALL CHAMPIONS 4 MOST ARTISTIC FLOOR ROUTINES Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club hosted their annual Invitational Floor and Vault Championships for 2007 at the Wingates Special Childrens Trust in Wrenbury, Nantwich. This popular competition attracted a huge number of entrants this year and with almost 300 competitors the club had a very busy day ahead with gymnasts from Manx, Appley Bridge, Bury Metro, City of Manchester, Tameside, Stockport, Crewe and Nantwich, Hartford, Salford, Wingates and Middleton.  The 2 star performances from Rochdale OGC came from Philee Ang Chen and Gabrielle Southern who both won their respective age groups. Philee competed in the Pre-Novice Under 10 event and walked away with 1st place on floor (12.6), 1st place on vault (11.8), and therefore the overall individual title with a total score of 24.40.  Gabrielle Southern competed in the Intermediate Under 11 event and also earned 3 gold medals finishing 1st on floor (14.1), 1st on vault (11.95), and being crowned the overall champion with a combined tally of 26.05.  Gabrielle also took home the trophy for the most artistic floor routine for that age group. Kirsty Armitage and Megan Kirby contested the Novice Under 7 category finishing in 2nd (24.00), and 3rd (23.8) places overall respectively.  Kirsty collected another silver for her floor routine (12.9), followed by Megan in 3rd (12.7).  The judges could not separate these two on vault and were awarded equal 2nd place (11.10), and Kirsty collected the most artistic floor routine award for this age group. Sian Hall was the top scorer in the Novice Under 9 event earning 2nd place overall (24.3), aided by a 1st placing for a super floor routine and a mark of 13.4 which also earned her the most artistic floor routine award.  Ruby Hume finished just behind Sian on floor in 2nd place (13.2). Leona O'Neill medalled in the Novice Under 11 competition with 3rd place on floor (13.4), and 2nd place overall (25.00). Sarah Buckley collected a well earned most artistic floor routine award in the Pre-Novice Under 10 event, which also earned her a bronze medal for 3rd place (12.3), whilst Lucy Vernon collected bronze on vault (11.65) in the same category. The Pre-Novice Under 12 competition earned Megan Gomersall a gold medal for a cleanly performed floor routine (12.45), which helped her to 2nd place overall (23.85). First time competitor Ashleigh Farrell tackled the Pre-Novice Over 12 section and was awarded 1st place on floor (12.50), and 2nd place overall (23.90). First time Intermediate entrant Fiona Payton took home 3 silver medals from the Under 11 event for 2nd on floor (13.7), 2nd on vault (11.80), and 2nd place overall (25.50).  The Rochdale girls took a clean sweep of the overall placings in this section with Megan O'Shea finishing in 3rd (25.20), and sharing the silver medal on floor with Fiona for =2nd (13.70). The Team Trophy awarded at the conclusion of the event was hotly contested and the top ten scoring gymnasts from the Pre-Novice and Novice gymnasts earned the points towards the final positions.  A very strong team from Salford took away the title, followed by Stockport in 2nd place and Bury Metro in 3rd place. Other competitors were:-  Courtney Smith, Jessica Connor, Danielle Southern, Abigail Fielding, Maddie Howley, Claire Brown, Laura Brown, Elizabeth Brown, Dayna Hesketh, Megan Knox, Amy Briggs, Hannah Riley, Sophie Weight, Leonah Ellis, Emily Carter, Tanicha Ellis, Emma Hayden, Eleysha Jackson, Zoe Carter, Sophie Wells, Ashleigh Morris. A nice welcome Graham tries to nick the sign The coach finally arrives The weather was nice on Friday Packed lunches went down a treat The adults relaxed for a while And for a bit longer... Pick up Sticks kept these two amused Saturday morning exercise.. Would the weather hold off.. The scarecrows arrive..... Kirsty wanted to be one.. Would it ever stop raining...............did we care? Abi came prepared.. We enjoyed the scenery.... And some more... And a bit more.. What's this - blue sky ?? And some wildlife... A visit to the shop at the boat yard... £57.00 later - all armed with ice-cream.. Scarecrows out ready for the big day.. Final time to relax before the big day.. But the shoes still needed cleaning.. Abi worked up an appetite.. Early arrivers for the competition And they arrived......... In their millions... Gymnasts from Manx stayed with us this year.. And were very exhausted! And 11 hours later, with a little bit of cheating, we rounded off another successful competition on time.  A bit hectic at times but everyone who attended enjoyed the day, and although very competitive at times the atmosphere in the place was one of the friendliest I have seen between clubs and everyone mucked in helping out whenever and wherever they were needed. The kids were a credit to everyone for the whole weekend and this has to be commended.  I don’t think anyone went without, and not too many whinges…. Or tears……How some of them were still awake on Sunday evening I will never know !!  However, as far as the kids go, a huge vote of thanks has to go to Frankie, Abi & Sabrina who did a fantastic job keeping them entertained and seeing to their every needs, only coming to the rest of us if they couldn’t handle it.  They handled most things over the weekend including the massive hair job (Ashleigh Morris !) on Saturday night and the three of them did a great job whilst the rest of us got on with other jobs to be done. Friday evening there wasn’t really much to do and everyone relaxed for the whole night.  Saturday was the day when our army got to work…. Cheryl, Rachel, Nigel, Shelley, Frankie, Abi, and Sabrina all ventured out on Saturday Morning for a brisk walk in the rain……..and mud…………and puddles………and more rain……..and a few cow pats…………    Meanwhile Graham went on a shopping spree with Fiona and Lynn for 400 baps that we ordered from Morrisons on Friday evening. Following training on Saturday afternoon, the gym was quickly set up ready for the competition before tea time.   Following scrumptious tea all kids dived in showers and baths, and the hair dressing salon was open for the night.  Graham & Nigel went for a Siesta………..must be their age !!!! Cheryl did a jigsaw in the peace and tranquility of the TV room whilst there was no-one about, but where were the rest of our crew.  Rachel appeared and the mystery was solved.  They had taken over the kitchen area and there were butties everywhere !!!! Fiona had got them all together and she along with Shelley, Rachel, Jayne & Lynn had a production line going to get all the butties made for the tuck shop we were running at the competition.  Jigsaw accomplished with 5 pieces missing……doesn’t that naff you off !!   Time to do the penny sweets……….Cheryl, Graham, Rachel, Shelley, & Jayne began another production line as we bagged up about 15,000 penny toffees for the tuck shop.  There would have been 16,000 but Graham put more in his mouth than he did in the bags !!!    Rachel was a busy little bee this night as she also cleaned up everyone’s shoes from the walk as best she could with Sabrina’s help…….. Kids were as good as gold.  They were told they all had to be in their own rooms by 10pm, and at 10pm all was quiet!!! Sunday 1st July arrived all too quickly.  With a record number of 285 entrants in the competition and a very tight schedule of 11 hours to get them through, would we do it.  Everyone started arriving early and we had to open the doors earlier than expected.  Tuck shop still needed setting up but would have to wait until some more Rochdale bodies arrived, and when they did the arrived in force.  I lost count of how many people helped on this during the day but they all did a fantastic job and at the end of the day we had virtually nothing left !!  We usually eat up all the left over butties on the coach on the way home – but there were none left !!! The T-shirts went down a treat once again.  Black T-shirts this year with lime green logo stood out well.  There weren’t many people walking around without one on, and we almost got rid of all these too this year.  Not many left….. Anyway – the competition – 20 minutes behind after Round 1 and time to panic.  If it carried on like that for the rest of the day we would overrun by 2 hours !!!!  What to do – cheat !!   Spoke to all the coaches from the different clubs and they didn’t mind at all if we missed off the march on and introduction of the gymnasts at the beginning of the rounds.  They were quite happy to just keep the competition running smoothly, get their gymnasts warmed up and straight onto the apparatus.  The plan worked – last presentation at 7.35pm as planned……. Phew !!!!!   All gymnasts had a great day, competed well, and everyone went home with some momentos from the day.  A huge thanks must go to all the coaches, gymnasts and parents from all the clubs involved in co-operating and keeping this somewhat hectic day running smoothly and safely.  There were a lot of people in that building that day and we didn’t have a single hiccup…………………..And one more thanks as far as the competition goes – The Judges.  They sat through 11 hours of competition and didn’t stop.  They were superb in helping this event run as planned. Competition finished, everyone gone home, gym tidied, and everyone outside with luggage ready to go home. Problem – Wot no Coach !!!!   The coach hadn’t arrived !!!     Didn’t have to wait long.  10 minutes later Olympia Travel pulled up the driveway and took a very tired party home………….. MANY THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE INVOLVED……………..AND PARTICULARY TO THE ROCHDALE PEOPLE WHO MADE ANOTHER LONG WEEKEND A VERY SUCCESSFUL ONE………………… Thanks again folks…………….. Cheryl

	A DISPLAY PERFORMANCE AT DIGGLE SCHOOL, OLDHAM ........   ROGC GIRLS ENTERTAIN THE CROWDS   Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club entertained the crowds at Diggle School, Sam Road, Oldham on a rainy Sunday afternoon.  Connie Briggs, Nicola Bridge, Georgia Hall, Emma Holmes, Zoe Blackstone, Jessica Gilchrist, Sabrina Birchenough, and Elyse Murray performed a 25 minute display to show off some of their skills and promote the club. The display was planned to take part outside in the open air but the weather had other plans as it poured down all afternoon.  Alas, this didn't stop us, we just moved inside and prepared ourselves for a performance in the school hall.  And what a performance it was.  The crowd filled up and not soon after we started the hall was absolutely packed out.  There were people looking in from the windows because they couldn't get in !! Everyone enjoyed themselves, and the girls did the club and themselves proud !

	THE 9TH KENT OPEN CLUB TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS........   LEVEL 4 TEAM CHAMPIONS 15 gymnasts travelled all the way down to Maidstone in Kent to compete in the annual invitational Kent Open Club Team Championships held at the Mote Park Leisure Centre. A very young Level 5 Team gained some valuable experience which should put them in good stead for next years championships.  All 4 team members travelled away from home for the first time and Cassandra Iberson, Holly Withington, Eleanor Briggs and Jessica Wood emerged with a team tally of 133.90 marks for 9th position overall.  Cassandra was the top team scorer finishing in 14th position overall (45.40), aided by a clean competition across all 4 pieces of apparatus.  Holly finished 20th (44.75), and earned 3rd place on vault (12.05), Eleanor 24th (43.75), and Jessica 37th (41.20). A brand new Level 4 Team walked away with gold medals and the Championship Trophy as they stormed to victory finishing in 1st place overall with a total team score of 134.00 marks.  Sabrina Birchenough 4th (45.30), Jessica Gilchrist 7th (44.75), Elyse Murray 14th (43.15), and Georgia Hall 15th (42.90), performed steady routines throughout the event to take the Level 4 Team Title.  A second Level 4 team competed admirably.  Hampered by a missing team member due to injury leading up to the event Mary Elcock 9th (43.75), Emma Holmes 12th (43.30), and Zoe Blackstone 17th (42.60), accumulated a team total of 129.65 marks for a very creditable 5th place.  The girls took the first 3 placings on vault with Mary 1st (12.35), Sabrina 2nd (12.30), and Elyse 3rd (12.00).  Jessica took 2nd place on bars (12.50), closely followed by Sabrina in 3rd (12.25). A hard fought Level 3 competition saw Faye Padden 4th (46.15), Connie Briggs 5th (45.95), Robyn Carter 10th (44.65), and Nicola Bridge 14th (43.3), collectively earn a team score of 137.30 for 2nd place in the team event.  Top spot on 3 apparatus was earned by the girls as Connie Briggs finished 1st on vault (12.85), and 1st on Floor (11.5), and Faye took poll position on Bars (12.25).

	THE NWGA FLOOR & VAULT CHAMPIONSHIPS........   2 REGIONAL CHAMPIONS Following recent success in the Greater Manchester Championships the Floor & Vault competitors from Rochdale OGC descended on Fit City, Ordsall to compete in the North West Gymnastics Association Floor and Vault Championships. At the end of the two day event, the club was honoured with 2 Regional Champions in Kirsty Armitage and Megan Gomersall. Kirsty competed in the Novice Under 7 section and returned home with 3 gold medals to her credit earning 1st placings on floor (12.75), and vault (10.50), and ultimately the overall title and championship trophy with a combined score of 23.25.  Megan Kirby earned a joint gold with Kirsty on vault as the judges could not separate them, and a silver medal for her floor performance (12.40), resulting in 2nd place overall (22.90). Newcomer to the club, Megan Gomersall, took on the Pre-Novice Under 11 event earning 2nd place on floor (12.25), and 1st place on vault (11.90).  These two scores narrowly earned Megan the overall individual title with 24.15 marks, a mere 0.5 of a mark in front of 2nd place. Sian Hall earned 3rd on floor (13.30) in the Novice Under 9's, and Elizabeth Brown picked up another bronze for her vault (10.80) in the Novice Under 8's. Megan Knox was the clubs youngest competitor in the intermediate section and competed in the Under 12's, earning well deserved placings with 3rd on floor (13.85), and 2nd overall (24.90).  The Over 12 Intermediate section saw Aimee Henshall gain bronze on vault (11.40). The Pre-Novice Under 8 gymnasts earned 2nd and 3rd places on vault respectively with Leonah Ellis 2nd (10.95), and Chloe Thompson 3rd (10.85), and Jessica Connor earned another bronze on the same apparatus (10.95) in the Pre-Novice Under 6's. Pre-Novice Under 10 gymnast Philee Ang-Chen earned silver on vault for 2nd place (11.50).  First time competitor Bethany Beard collected silver on vault in the Pre-Novice Under 11 event, and another newcomer Ashleigh Morris earned 3rd for her vault (11.00) in the Pre-Novice Over 12 section. Other competitors were:- Amy Briggs, Melissa Collins, Ruby Hume, Dayna Hesketh, Zoe Carter, Sophie Fenton, Emma Hayden, Chloe Nolan, Eleysha Jackson, Abigail Fielding, Danielle Southern, Claire Brown, Laura Brown, Chloe Meade, Sophie Weight, Courtney Smith, Grace Elcock, Remi Kelly, Natalia Mills, Sarah Walmsley, Tanicha Ellis, Sophie Wells

	THE GREATER MANCHESTER FLOOR & VAULT AND 4 PIECE  CHAMPIONSHIPS........   4 COUNTY OVERALL INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS & 19 APPARATUS CHAMPIONS........     Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club were well represented in the annual Greater Manchester Floor and Vault Championships, and also in the 4 Piece Championships which was held for the first time and hopefully will become another annual event. At the end of a long gruelling weekend the club now boasts 4 Greater Manchester Overall Individual Champions in Kirsty Armitage, Holly Withington, Charlotte Wood and Sabrina Birchenough, along with many apparatus titles. The weekends events were kicked off with the Floor and Vault Championships with many of the youngsters being very new to the competition scene. Courtney Smith had a great weekend in the Pre-Novice Under 6 section and returned home with two bronze medals for her performances on vault (10.65), and earning 3rd place overall (22.25).  Grace Elcock went one better on vault earning 2nd place (10.80).  Following a recent victory in her last competition Claire Brown competed well again to earn 3rd place on vault (11.45) in the Pre-Novice Under 7 section.  New club member Philee Ang-Chen earned her 2nd gold medal in 2 months with 1st place on vault (11.60) in the Pre-Novice Under 10 event.  Sarah Buckley followed close behind in 3rd place (11.35).  Megan Gomersall was just pipped to the individual overall title in the Pre-Novice Under 12 section finishing in 2nd place overall (24.70), aided by a 1st placing on vault (11.50), and 2nd place on floor (13.20). Kirsty Armitage catapulted to success as she shone through in the Novice Under 8 competition earning silver medals on floor (13.10), and vault (11.30), and walking away with the championship title finishing in 1st place overall (24.40).  Elizabeth Brown was just pipped to the winning spot on floor finishing in 2nd place (13.10), earning herself 3rd place overall (24.25).  3rd place on vault was awarded to Dayna Hesketh (11.20).  Sian Hall emerged the clubs highest finisher in the Novice Under 9 section finishing in 3rd place overall (24.25), and earned another bronze medal for her floor routine (13.10). The Intermediate event was a tough open age category and the Rochdale girls took the first two placings on vault with Alex Waldron 1st (11.80), and Aimee Henshall 2nd (11.50).  Aimee also earned 3rd place on floor (14.05), with a combined score of 25.55 to finish in 2nd place overall Other Floor and Vault competitors were:-  Jessica Connor, Jessica Moore, Danielle Southern, Laura Brown, Maddie Howley, Abigail Fielding, Megan Kirby, Lucy Clayton, Sophie Fenton, Leonah Ellis, Chloe Meade, Chloe Thompson, Lucy Birch, Sophie Wells, Lucy Vernon, Megan Knox, Leona O’Neill, Tanicha Ellis, Remi Kelly, Bethany Cockcroft, Rebecca Hilton, Eleysha Jackson, Hannah Riley, Ruby Hume, Melissa Collins, Amy Briggs. The 4 Piece Championships proved to be a very competitive event across all the levels of competition. First time 4 piece competitors this year showed some great promise for the future and all 4 took medals home.  In the Pre-Novice Under 10 section Holly Withington was crowned the overall individual champion finishing in 1st place overall (48.40), closely followed by Jessica Wood in 3rd place (47.50).  Along with Cassandra Iberson and Fiona Payton these girls took the top 3 placings on vault and bars.  Fiona took the vault title (11.70), Jessica 2nd (11.60), and Holly 3rd (11.45).  Holly took the bars title (12.00), Cassandra 2nd (11.65), and Jessica 3rd (10.90).  Jessica added another bronze for her beam routine (11.95).  Cassandra and Fiona couldn’t be separated for the floor title and were both awarded gold medals each earning a score of 13.50, with Holly just behind in 2nd (13.40). The Pre-Novice 10 & Over saw Danielle Parkinson take 2nd place overall (47.85), and Gabrielle Southern 3rd overall (47.80).  Gabrielle earned a medal of each colour with 1st Bars (12.35), 2nd Vault (11.45), 3rd Floor (12.85).  Danielle took two 3rd placings on vault (11.25), and bars (11.90).  Natalie Briggs finished 3rd on bars (11.90), just behind Emily Slide who took 2nd spot (12.20). Eleanor Briggs competed in the youngest event in the Novice Under 9 and emerged the silver medallist overall with a grand tally of 47.10 marks.  A superb floor routine lifted the gold medal (13.55), and two bronze medals for vault (11.20), and bars (11.30). Emma Holmes was another silver medallist overall for the club in the Novice Under 11 section finishing in 2nd place (52.90), assisted by a phenomenal floor routine for a score of 14.95 for the gold medal.  Gabriella Wright finished in 8th (49.15) in the same event. The Novice Under 12 section saw Zoe Blackstone 3rd (51.55), and Rheann Newsham 4th (50.85).  Zoe collected gold on vault (12.25), bronze on bars (12.70), and Rheann earned 3rd place on floor (14.55). Charlotte Wood won her first event ever in the Novice 12 & Over category where she achieved individual victory emerging the overall individual champion with a total score of (50.200).  This score was aided by a super bar routine for 1st place (13.00), and a bronze on vault (11.50).  Hayley Briggs collected 2 bronze medals for beam (12.40), and Floor (14.10). The Level 4 and 3 competitors had a difficult day hampered by many unfortunate mistakes.  However, Sabrina Birchenough was crowned the Level 4 Senior Champion with a total tally of (46.765), and Robyn Hume took 2nd place (45.799).  Sabrina earned two top placings on bars (12.166), and floor (12.266), and 2nd for her vault (12.10).  Robyn performed to her usual high standard on the beam to take 1st place (12.733), for a clean routine.  Georgia Hall earned 2nd place on bars (11.70), 3rd Beam (10.833) and 3rd on floor (11.60).  In the Level 4 Junior event Jessica Gilchrist just missed out on an overall placing finishing in 4th position (46.099).  An awesome bar routine saw her lift the bars title in 1st place (12.366), and a 3rd place finish on floor (11.90). Elyse Murray took another bronze medal on floor as the judges could not separate her from Jessica.  First time Level 4 competitor Mary Elcock commenced her venture with a gold medal placing on vault (12.966), and a silver medal for floor (12.066). Robyn Carter commenced the Level 3 event on vault following which she had to withdraw from the competition due to injury.  Connie Briggs, Faye Padden, and Nicole Bridge battled their way through the competition.  Connie had to carry a fall from bars but secured the overall silver medal finishing a very creditable 2nd position overall (50.466) and collected an apparatus medal for all 4 events.  She picked up the vault and floor titles along the way with 13.10 (vault) and 12.766 (floor), silver on beam (12.70), and 3rd on bars (11.90).  Costly errors on beam were carried by Faye Padden and Nicole Bridge which put them out of the overall placings but they finished the competition well taking a clean sweep of the floor medals behind Connie with Nicola 2nd (12.733), and Faye 3rd (12.70).  Faye also collected a well earned silver medal for a 2nd place on bars (11.933).  The floor and vault gymnasts will now be working hard towards the forthcoming North West Floor & Vault Championships whilst the majority of the 4 piece experts will be competing in Kent the weekend after at the annual Kent Open Club Team Championships.

	THE BRITISH CLUB GRADES 4, 3, 2 & 1 CHAMPIONSHIPS........   4 ROGC GYMNASTS REPRESENT THE NORTH WEST IN THE NATIONALS.....     Following qualification in March, 4 girls from Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club travelled to the Cocks Moors Wood Leisure Centre in Kings Heath, Birmingham to represent the North West Region in the British Club Grades National Finals. Sabrina Birchenough, who qualified as Regional Champion led the Grade 2 team to a very creditable 7th place overall with a combined team total of 136.55 marks.  After having her first experience of a National event last year as a Grade 3 team member, Sabrina had a clean competition across all 4 pieces of apparatus in the Grade 2 event to earn herself 16th place individually, obtaining scores of 12.35 (Vault), 12.30 (Bars), 10.35 (Beam), 11.55 (Floor), for an overall mark of 46.55 Nicola Bridge qualified as reserve to the Grade 1 Team, and travelled to Birmingham with the Faye Padden and Connie Briggs.  Nicola supported the team all the way round the arena, and they did the region proud.   The club's second qualifier as Regional Champion, Faye Padden, battled her way through the competition to eventually finish with an overall mark of 48.65, in 4th place and missing an individual overall medal by a mere 0.1 of a mark.  Very close behind was team mate Connie Briggs in 5th, just 0.05 of a mark behind Faye. Connie had an outstanding performance on the asymmetric bars to finish with a score of 12.65 for 2nd place, and a top 3 place for Faye for her floor routine as she finished in 3rd with 12.15 marks.  At the end of the weekends proceedings the Grade 1 team were awarded bronze medals for 3rd place overall with a combined team total of 144.30 marks.

	THE PHIL TIGHE MEMORIAL FLOOR & VAULT CHAMPIONSHIPS........   1 INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION, 24 MEDALS & MANY 1ST TIME COMPETITORS.....     A troop of 54 gymnasts from the girls and boys squads of Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club descended upon the annual Phil Tighe Memorial Floor & Vault Championships, 2007.  A two day event, which took place at Copley Recreation Centre, Stalybridge and is run by Tameside School of Gymnastics. The first floor and vault competition of the year, and Rochdale OGC had many gymnasts who had only recently joined the squad system run at the club, and this was their first competition. All gymnasts performed to the best of their ability with some unexpected pleasing results, and medal winners. Claire Brown was one of the first time competitors and she came away with the only Overall Individual Title of the weekend winning 1st place overall in the 6 & Under Competition 2 event.  A super overall score of 17.25 for the gold medal and winners trophy was aided by another gold medal performance on the vault (8.40). Other first time competitors were:-  Jessica Moore, Courtney Smith, Danielle Southern, Laura Brown, Maddie Howley, Chloe Meade, Bethany Cockcroft, Remi Kelly, Bethany Rigby, Jessica Ligman, Natalia Mills, Lucy Vernon, Philee Ang-Chen, Megan Gomersall, Ashleigh Farrell, Joshua Kirby, Harry Keenan. Medal Winners:- Girls 6 & Under Comp 1       - Kirsty Armitage 2nd Vault (8.90), 3rd Overall (20.80) Girls 6 & Under Comp 2       - Claire Brown 1st Vault (8.40), 1st Overall (17.25) Girls 6 & Under Comp 2       - Maddie Howley 3rd Vault (8.0) Girls 8 & Under Comp 2       - Bethany Rigby and Natalia Mills =3rd Floor (9.05) Girls 8 & Under Comp 2       - Tanicha Ellis 3rd Vault (8.75) Girls 10 & Under Comp 2    - Sarah Buckley 3rd Vault (9.0) Girls 10 & Under Comp 2    - Philee Ang-Chen 1st Floor (9.10), 3rd Overall (17.60) Girls 10 & Under Comp 2    - Megan Gomersall 3rd Floor (8.85) Girls 12 & Under Comp 2    - Ashleigh Farrell 2nd Vault (9.3), 3rd Overall (17.85) Boys 6 & Under Comp 3      - Cole Bamford 2nd Floor (9.35) Boys 6 & Under Comp 3      - Harrison Daly 3rd Floor (9.30) Boys 6 & Under Comp 3      - Ben Berry 1st Floor (9.40) Boys 8 & Under Comp 3      - Joe Owen 3rd Vault (9.05) Boys 12 & Under Comp 3    - Billy Gallagher 3rd Floor (8.55), 2nd Vault (8.6), 2nd Overall (17.15) Boys 13 & Under Comp 3    - Adam Watson 2nd Vault (9.10) Boys 13 & Under Comp 3    - Dexter Dickinson 3rd Floor (8.50) Other Competitors:-           Megan Kirby, Elizabeth Brown, Hannah Riley, Melissa Collins, Sian Hall, Emma Hayden, Eleysha Jackson, Zoe Carter, Alex Waldron, Lucy Clayton, Jessica Connor, Abigail Fielding, Grace Elcock, Chloe Thompson, Leonah Ellis, Marina Aston, Sophie Wells, Ewan Giles, Dominic Bunner, Sam Bamford, Ben Fletcher, James Davies, Nathan Aston, Luke Bolton, Matthew Price, Ryan Bolton.

	THE STOCKPORT SCHOOL OF GYMNASTICS EASTER CHAMPIONSHIPS........   TEAM TROPHY WINNERS FOR THE 6TH YEAR RUNNING... 7 INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS & 71 MEDALS !!!......     Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club descended on the home of Stockport School of Gymnastics to compete in the Stockport Easter Competition and had a magnificent day out dominating the event with some outstanding performances and together were a formidable opponent to all challengers, returning home with a remarkable host of prizes. Gymnasts were entered into 9 sections of the competition and were awarded 7 Overall Individual Champions, 71 Medals (21 Gold, 26 Silver, 24 Bronze), and the Team Trophy for the 6th year running. 13 gymnasts competed 4 piece apparatus for the 1st time in the Pre-Novice Competition. Ruby Hume reigned supreme in the Under 8 section finishing as the overall champion (47.90), closely followed by Fiona Payton in 2nd place (47.85).  Amy Briggs had a steady competition to finish in 8th (45.55).  Ruby also earned bronze on vault (12.80), and silver medals on beam (11.90) and bars (11.90).  Fiona performed her way to top spot on floor (13.00), 2nd on beam (11.90), and 3rd on bars (11.55). The Pre-Novice Under 10 gymnasts took all 3 podium places in the overall battle with Cassandra Iberson finishing as the overall winner in 1st place (50.30), Natalie Briggs in 2nd (49.95), and Holly Withington in 3rd (49.50).  Cassandra swung to a gold medal for her bar routine (50.30), and earned 2nd place on floor (12.90).  Natalie earned 3 more silver medals for vault (11.50), Beam (13.70), and Bars (12.65). Holly earned top spot on floor in 1st place (13.00), and 3rd place for her vault (12.60).  Danielle Parkinson collected gold for a super beam routine (14.10), just missing out on an overall position finishing in 4th (49.15). Gabrielle Southern 5th Overall (49.05), picked up two bronze medals on floor (12.60), and vault (11.40).  Leona O’Neill 10th Overall (46.80), finished 3rd on beam (13.20), Emily Slide finished 6th Overall (48.75), Megan O’Shea earned 8th spot overall (48.15), and Emma Hayden finished 17th (42.15). Aimee Henshall rounded off the Pre-Novice event in the 11 & Over competition finishing in 2nd place overall (47.29), aided by a silver medal position on bars (11.85), and a bronze for vault (11.64).   The Novice gymnasts had a great day out with Eleanor Briggs competing in the 8 & Under section and finishing in 2nd place overall (47.35).  Eleanor picked up 2 bronze medals for floor (12.80), and beam (10.95), and a silver for bars (12.40) to add to her collection. Emma Holmes had a super event to be crowned the champion in the Novice 10 & Under event with a combined score of (51.45), helped with 1st place on bars (13.10), and 2nd placings on beam (13.20) and floor (13.50).  Gabriella Wright finished in 15th (46.35). Lauren Burke had her best performance to date to win the Novice 12 & Under event with a massive score of 52.55 marks, and two more top spots on bars (13.70) and floor (14.50), with a bronze on beam (12.90).  Zoe Blackstone finished close behind Lauren for 3rd spot individually (51.80) collecting silver on bars (13.60), and bronze on floor (14.20).  Mary Elcock 5th (50.00), finished 2nd on vault (12.10), and 3rd on bars (13.15), and Hayley Briggs earned 6th spot overall (49.75). Victoria Stanton emerged the winner in the Novice 13 & Over section over a mark ahead of the rest of the field finishing in top podium spot (50.55).  An excellent bar routine (13.30) earned her another gold and she also collected bronze for her floor routine (13.40).  Nicole Bolton performed a clean bar routine to finish in 2nd behind Victoria (12.55).   Top 3 podium positions were also taken in the Level 4 and Level 3 events.   6 gymnasts tackled the Level 4 event with all 6 finishing in the top 7.  Georgia Hall had a cracking day to finish 1st overall (46.30), Jessica Gilchrist 2nd (45.55), Robyn Carter 3rd (45.50), Sabrina Birchenough 4th (45.20), Elyse Murray 5th (45.10), and Robyn Hume 7th (44.60).  The Rochdale girls took a clean sweep of the medals on floor with Elyse 1st (13.05), Robyn Carter 2nd (12.75) and Sabrina 3rd (12.45).  Similarly on bars with Georgia 1st (12.05), Sabrina 2nd (11.25), and Robyn Hume 3rd (11.00). Georgia collected 2nd on Beam (11.20), just ahead of Jessica in 3rd (11.10). Faye Padden produced the goods in the Level 3 competition to earn her 2nd title within the space of 2 weeks collecting 4 gold medals to finish in 1st place overall (49.45), 1st Floor (13.65), 1st Beam (11.95), 1st Bars (12.45).  Connie Briggs earned 2nd spot individually (48.80), aided by a superb vault for 1st (13.00), and 2nd placings on Floor (13.25), Beam (11.80), and Bars (10.75).  Nicola Bridge collected a bag full on bronze medals to take home finishing 3rd Floor (13.20), 3rd Vault (11.50), 3rd Beam (10.80), 3rd Bars (10.35), 3rd Overall (45.85). And finally to the Team Trophy.  This was awarded using a combination of the top 3 overall scores from the Pre-Novice Competition, the top 3 overall scores from the Novice competition and the top scorer from the Level 4 Competition.  Cassandra Iberson (50.30), Natalie Briggs (49.95), Holly Withington (49.50), Lauren Burke (52.55), Zoe Blackstone (51.80), Emma Holmes (51.45), and Georgia Hall (46.30), amassed a substantial lead and a total team score for Rochdale OGC of 351.85 marks.  This score proved to be unbeatable, and the team finished in 1st place over 19 marks ahead of their nearest rival and Rochdale OGC returned home with the team trophy for the 6th year running. Another fantastic result for the club and is testament to the amount of commitment and hard work demonstrated by coaches and gymnasts alike.

	THE NWGA BRITISH DEVELOPMENT PLAN CLUB GRADES 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, & 1 CHAMPIONSHIPS........   4 QUALIFY FOR NATIONAL FINALS 2 REGIONAL CHAMPIONS   17 Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club members travelled to Copley Recreation Centre, Stalybridge to compete in the North West Gymnastics Association British Development Plan Club Grades Finals.  All gymnasts passed their respective grade, with 10 of them gaining distinction marks and Rochdale OGC have 4 gymnasts who will now represent the North West Region in the National Finals to be held in Birmingham in April. The ROGC girls dominated the Grade 1 event and stole the show, with Faye Padden giving an impressive performance to be crowned the North West Grade 1 Champion finishing in 1st place with a distinction mark of 49.4.  Connie Briggs was close behind in 2nd place overall also with a distinction mark of 48.9, and Nicola Bridge fought her way to 5th with 47.30, also a distinction mark. Faye, Connie & Nicola will all travel to Birmingham next month to compete in the National Finals.  Robyn Carter competing in her first competition for 2 years had a superb event to eventually finish in 6th overall gaining a distinction mark of 47.2, narrowly missing out on a National Final placing by a mere 0.1 of a mark.  1st placings on all 4 pieces of apparatus went to these girls with Connie earning top spot on Vault (12.45), Bars (12.95), and Floor (12.65), and Faye the top beam mark (12.05).  Faye had placings on all 4 events finishing 2nd on Vault (12.3), and Floor (12.25), and 3rd on Bars (12.80). Nicola gained 3rd on Beam (11.85), and Robyn 3rd on Vault (12.15). ROGC's 2nd North West Champion was crowned in the Grade 2 event, as Sabrina Birchenough stole the show to finish in 1st position overall with 48.05, another distinction mark and the title of North West Grade 2 Champion. Sabrina earned 3rd placings on Bars (12.85), and Beam (11.15) helping her towards the title.  Jessica Gilchrist 8th Overall (46.80 Distinction), Elyse Murray 14th Overall (44.90 Pass), and Mary Elcock 16th Overall (44.30 Pass), competed alongside Sabrina, and Jessica earned a well deserved top spot for a very impressive performance for her bar routine scoring 13.05. Lauren Burke, Hannah Casey and Emma Holmes tackled the Grade 3 event.  Lauren and Hannah could not be separated for an overall position of 17th both scoring 46.05 marks for a distinction.  Emma Holmes finished in 19th Overall with 45.9 marks to gain a pass.  Lauren performed a very good bar routine for 2nd spot on this apparatus with 12.95. The Grade 4 section of the competition saw Gabrielle Southern narrowly miss out on a place in the National Finals eventually finishing in 7th Overall (47.10 Distinction).  Another distinction mark was awarded to Danielle Parkinson 15th Overall (46.05), and Rheann Newsham earned a pass mark of 44.70 for 28th spot.  Rheann earned 3rd place for her vault (12.70). Hannah Riley, Eleanor Briggs and Fiona Payton rounded the weekend off as they represented the Greater Manchester County in the Grade 6 & 5 Finals, following qualification last month, with Cheryl Gharbi, Girls Head Coach at Rochdale OGC, as the Greater Manchester Team Manager.  The Greater Manchester County has been a formidable opponent to all challengers since 2002.  2007 was no exception as the In Age Gymnasts from the County took the North West Shield for the 4th time in 5 years. Hannah Riley (Grade 6 Out of Age), and Eleanor Briggs (Grade 5 In Age), attended as reserves to their respective teams and supported them all the way across the event to earn silver (Hannah), and gold (Eleanor) medals for their 1st and 2nd team placings.  Eleanor was also awarded a gold medal for the overall Regional Team Title as an In Age gymnast. Fiona competed in the Grade 6 out of Age competition qualifying as a team member in 1st position last month.  Fiona had a steady competition to eventually finish in 7th spot individually (61.367), and helped the team to a 2nd placing overall for another silver medal.  This fantastic result is testament to the amount of commitment and hard work demonstrated by the coaches and gymnasts alike, and is thoroughly well deserved.

	THE CURRY KING COMPETITION AT THE RAJ RESTAURANT........ CONNIE, FAYE & JESSICA ENTERTAIN THE DINERS.. Following a very successful Rochdale OGC Charity Night back in 2006, we received a request from the Raj Indian Restaurant, Rochdale about "borrowing" our girls to entertain the diners at The Curry King Competition. At the Rochdale OGC Charity Night Connie, Jessica & Faye performed a routine in a wee space at the entrance to the restaurant, and the owners and staff were so blown over by their performance and what they could do they now see them as true professionals. We agreed to provide some entertainment with an added routine this time.  The girls performed the routine they did last year, and spent many a Saturday evening after training practising a new routine to add to the performance.  This new routine was much liked by the audience and they were asked to perform it a second time.  Well done again to the girls.  You did the club proud.   The evening was also used as a fund raisiing event for " The Chris Stokes Appeal", and at the close of the evening over £3,000 was raised.  The girls helped Councillor Elwyn Watkins with the Auction, and a good time was had by all.   Well done to everyone involved.   Here's to the next time.....................

	THE GMGA BRITISH DEVELOPMENT PLAN CLUB GRADES 6, 5 & 4 CHAMPIONSHIPS........   3 QUALIFY FOR REGIONAL FINALS 1 COUNTY CHAMPION   23 gymnasts from Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club travelled to Fit City in Ordsall, home of Salford Gymnastics Club to compete in the Greater Manchester Gymnastics Association British Development Plan Club Grades 6, 5 & 4 Championships, 2007, in an attempt to pass their gradings. All 23 gymnasts achieved very respectable pass marks, with 12 of them earning enough marks to gain distinctions at their particular grade. The Grade 5 gymnasts started off the 2007 competition year for the club.  Having to earn 50.00 marks for a pass and 57.50 marks for a distinction the Grade 5 Out of Age Gymnasts all competed well with Megan O'Shea earning a distinction in 8th (57.549), and Holly Withington 11th (56.85), Emily Slide 19th (55.20), Niamh Gillan 24th (54.283), and Lucy Birch 27th (52.049) all achieving pass marks.  Emily Slide earned a 3rd placing for her vault (12.80), and Holly Withington finished in top spot on bars (11.85). The Grade 5 In Age gymnasts had the same target to achieve, and Eleanor Briggs flew to a distinction mark of 59.766, achieving 5th place overall and a place on the team to represent Greater Manchester in the North West Finals to be held in March.  Ruby Hume 10th (57.749), also achieved a distinction, whilst Megan Knox 17th (56.183), and Amy Briggs 18th (55.149), both attained outstanding pass marks.  In gaining her 5th placing Eleanor earned 3rd place for her vault (12.933), and 2nd place on Bars (12.00). 6 year old Kirsty Armitage competed in the Pre-Grade 6 competition which is held for gymnasts who are too young to compete at Grade 6 to actually attain a pass at the grade.  Many gymnasts from throughout the county used this opportunity as a practise for next years competition where they will be eligible to attain their gradings.  Kirsty had a superb competition to finish in 5th place (59.85), earning a 1st placing for her floor routine (12.050). The Grade 6 In Age gymnasts competed in a tough competitive field and Dayna Hesketh earned a super distinction mark for 6th place overall (60.85) just missing out on a place in the finals by 0.05 of a mark.  Elizabeth Brown also had an excellent event to finish with a distinction in 8th overall (60.55).  Emily Cockcroft battled her way through to eventually gain a pass mark of 51.80. The Grade 6 Out of Age gymnasts were the stars of the weekend with all 5 gymnasts earning distinctions and 2 of them earning a place on the Greater Manchester Team for the Regional Finals.  Fiona Payton stormed to victory in style amassing an amazing score of 63.65 way ahead of the rest of the field being crowned The Greater Manchester Grade 6 Out of Age Overall Champion, and leading the team in to the Regional Finals.  Hannah Riley finished in 5th place (60.20) and will join Fiona in Stalybridge in March representing the County as a member of the team.  Charlotte Bowman 10th (59.15), Melissa Collins 17th (58.35), and Sian Hall 18th (57.70), were all awarded well deserved distinctions.  Sian shared 3rd place on vault (12.95) with Fiona, Hannah finished 2nd on bars (12.60).  Fiona's outstanding victory was aided by 1st placings on Bars (12.90), Beam (12.50), Floor (13.00), and 2nd place on Range & Conditioning (12.30). The Grade 4 gymnasts used this competition as a chance to be judged in a competition environment in readiness for the Regional Finals in March where they will then be competing to attain their gradings.  5 gymnasts were entered and all 5 attained a mark over the 40.00 marks required to pass the grade. Gabrielle Southern had a great competition finishing in 7th (46.166) which will earn her a distinction in March if she can repeat this performance next month.  Danielle Parkinson finished 17th (43.932), Madalyn Payne 20th (43.033), Natalie Briggs 23rd (42.615), and Cassandra Iberson 29th (41.682).  The Regional Finals will be held next month at Copley Recreation Centre in Stalybridge and once again Cheryl Gharbi, Rochdale OGC's Girls Head Coach has been appointed Team Manager for the Greater Manchester Squad.